Jessica Simpson, of course, isn’t the only pop tart who owes a debt of gratitude to the ouevre of Madonna. Lady Gaga’s megasmash “Born This Way” was universally compared to — and sometimes derided as a knockoff of — Madge’s “Express Yourself.” Madonna remains bitter about it to this day, sometimes performing the two songs as a medley to remind fans who came first, though she never pursued legal action against Simpson or Gaga.
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
Lady Gaga, “Born This Way”
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”
