# THIS song sound just like THAT song. **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 24, 2013, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-song-sound-just-like-that-song/672106 "2013-10-24T13:16:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Steophan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steophan/32/9595_2.png) [@Steophan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steophan)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2013, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-song-sound-just-like-that-song/672106/81 "2013-10-27T16:18:51Z")
> [@JKellyMap](#): > > Several years later, Neil acknowledged this link in a song lyric. Can’t recall the song at the moment. “Borrowed Tune” from _Tonight’s The Night_, shockingly enough. ---
**Author:** ![SykoSkotty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c0e974/32.png) [@SykoSkotty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SykoSkotty)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2013, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-song-sound-just-like-that-song/672106/82 "2013-10-27T16:26:50Z")
> [@Sparky812](#): > > ??? I don’t hear it either, please explain? I used to play these songs with one of my band in the 80’s and they’re not similar at all. > > While the riff from “Love Theme From KISS” may be slightly similar, the music for “Alive” was written long before Eddie was in the band. > In fact, Stone Gossard’s original recording was entitled “Dollar Short” and was on the Demo tape that ended up with Vedder. I hear huge similarities in the chorus of Lovin and Cherry Pie - not the lyrics, but the guitar riff. Good stuff about Pearl Jam - I’d forgotten that most of that record was written before Vedder joined the band. Adding yet another one : Remember the theme from the Smurfs? It’s the same melody as “Centerfold” from J. Geils Band. ---
**Author:** ![FXMastermind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fxmastermind/32/7289_2.png) [@FXMastermind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FXMastermind)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2013, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-song-sound-just-like-that-song/672106/83 "2013-10-27T16:41:28Z")
> [@Banquet\_Bear](#): > > […ever since the Axis of Awesome…THEY ALL SOUND THE SAME TO ME!](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oOlDewpCfZQ) It gets worse. Youtube is now full of videos where people reveal the secret of writing a hit song. With 4 chords. Like [http://youtu.be/gbqm5-aeoAY](http://youtu.be/gbqm5-aeoAY) ---
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2013, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-song-sound-just-like-that-song/672106/84 "2013-10-27T18:39:00Z")
Not the entire song, but Lennon’s **Just Like Starting Over** has the lines “…but when I see you darling, it’s like we both are falling…” which remind me of “…but she looks in my eyes, and makes me realize…” in Brian Wilson’s **Don’t Worry Baby**. ---
**Author:** ![Hoopy\_Frood](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hoopy_frood/32/8452_2.png) [@Hoopy\_Frood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hoopy_Frood)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2013, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-song-sound-just-like-that-song/672106/85 "2013-10-28T04:05:42Z")
Red Hot Chilli Peppers’ “Dani California” sounds similar to Tom Petty’s “Mary Jane’s Last Dance”. To the point where people asked why Petty didn’t sue. Also, the base line of Chicago’s “25 or 6 to 4” sounds like the descending guitar line from Led Zeppelin’s “Babe I’m Gonna Leave You”. ---
**Author:** ![NiceGuyJack](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/niceguyjack/32/3069_2.png) [@NiceGuyJack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NiceGuyJack)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2013, 5:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-song-sound-just-like-that-song/672106/86 "2013-10-28T05:28:40Z")
The one hit wonders “The Trashmen’s” “Surfin’ Bird” and The Trashmen’s “Bird Dance Beat”. Granted, it was likely done on purpose. I guess they were trying to recapture the success of the their first and only hit. Actually, i think they tried to immitate Surfin’ Bird a few times. Sort of sad, especially when you consider they stole the original from the “Rivingtons”. ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_A.Robrin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sam_a.robrin/32/14497_2.png) [@Sam\_A.Robrin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_A.Robrin)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2013, 5:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-song-sound-just-like-that-song/672106/87 "2013-10-28T05:40:42Z")
> [@TreacherousCretin](#): > > Not the entire song, but Lennon’s **Just Like Starting Over** has the lines > “…but when I see you darling, it’s like we both are falling…” > > which remind me of > “…but she looks in my eyes, and makes me realize…” > in Brian Wilson’s **Don’t Worry Baby**. I noticed that the first time I heard “Starting Over.” The one I find funny is the beginning of “Back in the USSR,” whose opening riff closely mimics that of “Yummy, Yummy, Yummy” by the Ohio Express! ---
**Author:** ![sco3tt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@sco3tt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sco3tt)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2013, 6:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-song-sound-just-like-that-song/672106/88 "2013-10-28T06:00:31Z")
[Pinball Wizard](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QL-pjDxRPXg#t=32) is reminiscent of [The Wabash Cannonball](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6yhvv234oaA#t=13) to my ears. Musically as well as lyrically, with the “from [location x] to [location y]” opening line and all the verses having an AABB scheme culminating in a “ball” rhyme. ---
**Author:** ![Sparky812](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eb9ed0/32.png) [@Sparky812](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sparky812)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2013, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-song-sound-just-like-that-song/672106/89 "2013-10-28T16:29:02Z")
> [@SykoSkotty](#): > > I hear huge similarities in the chorus of Lovin and Cherry Pie - not the lyrics, but the guitar riff. > > Adding yet another one : Remember the theme from the Smurfs? It’s the same melody as “Centerfold” from J. Geils Band. Are you joking? The guitar riffs have no “huge similarities” in the chorus or verse. Secondly, “Centerfold” and the Smurf song do not have the same melody at all. Try “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star”, “Mary Had a Little Lamb” and “The Alphabet Song” THOSE have the same melody. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2013, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-song-sound-just-like-that-song/672106/90 "2013-10-28T16:32:28Z")
> [@Sparky812](#): > > Try “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star”, “Mary Had a Little Lamb” and “The Alphabet Song” THOSE have the same melody. Mary Had A Little Lamb doesn’t belong there. Baa Baa Black Sheep does, however. Along with Mozarts "Variations on “Ah, Vous Dirai-Je, Maman”, which is the original French folksong that they all came from. ETA: Mary Had A Little Lamb DOES have the same melody as London Bridge is Falling Down, though. ---
**Author:** ![FXMastermind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fxmastermind/32/7289_2.png) [@FXMastermind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FXMastermind)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2013, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-song-sound-just-like-that-song/672106/91 "2013-10-28T16:33:13Z")
> [@Sparky812](#): > > Secondly, “Centerfold” and the Smurf song do not have the same melody at all. I thought the same thing, but then I watched this [http://youtu.be/OX12c8GLVJc](http://youtu.be/OX12c8GLVJc) OMG ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim_r.mortiss/32/142_2.png) [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_R.Mortiss)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2013, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-song-sound-just-like-that-song/672106/92 "2013-10-28T16:52:26Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > OMG…I just listened to the Ray Charles song, and you’re absolutely right. I’m a big ELO fan, and I never knew about this, either. I’m really surprised that there was never a lawsuit over it. Ray just couldn’t see going to court over it. How about the “Star Wars” theme and “Born Free.”? One is the other one, played upside down. I’ll never forget Victor Borgia appearing on Johnny Carson, sets some sheet music down on the piano, and plays “Born Free.” Then he turns the sheet music over, and plays “Star Wars.” Classic. ---
**Author:** ![Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/intergalactic_gladiator/32/112_2.png) [@Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Intergalactic_Gladiator)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2013, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-song-sound-just-like-that-song/672106/93 "2013-10-28T17:29:33Z")
Kanye West’s [Black Skinhead](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xuhl6Ji5zHM) sounds a lot like the Doctor Who theme to me. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2013, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-song-sound-just-like-that-song/672106/94 "2013-10-28T17:33:20Z")
> [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](#): > > Ray just couldn’t see going to court over it. Well, that and Ray didn’t write it. Melanie Safka (of “Brand New Key” fame) wrote it. I assume she also didn’t see going to court over it, though, because I can’t find any indication online of a royalty battle between her and ELO, either… ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2013, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-song-sound-just-like-that-song/672106/95 "2013-10-28T18:01:23Z")
There is a crappy **Pretenders** song (_Don’t get me wrong_?) from late in the catalog when they really were pretending that sounds just like some crappy **Miami Sound Machine** song. I despise them both, and won’t go looking for links. ---
**Author:** ![Sparky812](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eb9ed0/32.png) [@Sparky812](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sparky812)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2013, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-song-sound-just-like-that-song/672106/96 "2013-10-28T18:51:29Z")
> [@jayjay](#): > > Mary Had A Little Lamb doesn’t belong there. Baa Baa Black Sheep does, however. Along with Mozarts "Variations on “Ah, Vous Dirai-Je, Maman”, which is the original French folksong that they all came from. > > ETA: Mary Had A Little Lamb DOES have the same melody as London Bridge is Falling Down, though. OOPS! I knew it was one of them.:smack: ---
**Author:** ![Sparky812](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eb9ed0/32.png) [@Sparky812](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sparky812)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2013, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-song-sound-just-like-that-song/672106/97 "2013-10-28T18:53:43Z")
> [@FXMastermind](#): > > I thought the same thing, but then I watched this [http://youtu.be/OX12c8GLVJc](http://youtu.be/OX12c8GLVJc) > > OMG Nice, but still not the same melody. ---
**Author:** ![Mixolydian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/da6949/32.png) [@Mixolydian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mixolydian)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2013, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-song-sound-just-like-that-song/672106/98 "2013-10-28T19:18:45Z")
Miike Snow’s [“Paddling Out”](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8WOu1_de8w), used to annoying regularity in the new Budweiser “Grab Some Buds” commercials, has the same chord changes (though at different tempo and spacing) as Bob Marley’s “Jammin’”. Maybe retribution for Bob stealing the [Banana Splits theme song](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dtluQkuT25s) for “Buffalo Soldier”? ---
**Author:** ![FXMastermind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fxmastermind/32/7289_2.png) [@FXMastermind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FXMastermind)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2013, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-song-sound-just-like-that-song/672106/99 "2013-10-28T19:29:45Z")
[![]( " - YouTube") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWMdiRq0XKE) A quick look, contains many of the ones mentioned here already. ---
**Author:** ![FXMastermind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fxmastermind/32/7289_2.png) [@FXMastermind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FXMastermind)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2013, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-song-sound-just-like-that-song/672106/100 "2013-10-28T20:06:23Z")
Led Zeppelin and a whole bunch of other artists [![]( " - YouTube") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tiiY4ciKFQA) [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/zThdTAWQFAQ/hqdefault.jpg "Led Zeppelin Plagiarism Part 2") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zThdTAWQFAQ) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-song-sound-just-like-that-song/672106.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-song-sound-just-like-that-song/672106.md?page=6)