Jessica Simpson’s last significant pop hit gave songwriting credit to Nickolas Ashford and Valerie Simpson, whose “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” was incorporated in the backing vocals. Curtis Hudson and Lisa Stevens, co-writers of Madonna’s “Holiday“ — not so much. But anyone who listened to “A Public Affair” upon its 2006 release couldn’t help but notice how derivative it was of “Holiday” melodically.
You Didn’t Write That: A Brief Guide to (Alleged) Pop Plagiarism
A lawsuit filed against the writers of Owl City and Carly Rae Jepsen’s current smash “Good Time” calls to mind other examples of lift-and-tuck procedures in the songwriting process
Jessica Simpson, “A Public Affair”
Full List
Pop Plagiarism
- Hey, I Recognize That Tune…
- Owl City and Carly Rae Jepsen, “Good Time”
- George Harrison, “My Sweet Lord”
- The Beach Boys, “Surfin’ U.S.A.”
- The Beatles, “Come Together”
- The Illusion, “Did You See Her Eyes,” and Ike and Tina Turner, “Bold Soul Sister”
- Morris Albert, “Feelings”
- Michael Jackson, “Will You Be There”
- Jessica Simpson, “A Public Affair”
- Lady Gaga, “Born This Way”
- Avril Lavigne, “Girlfriend”
