by Daniel Harris
"Blurred Lines" by Robin Thicke and Pharrell Williams is one of the best selling singles of all times. Given the current state of music sales today, that is saying a lot. It was nominated for a number of awards, including a Grammy, in 2014. Love it or hate it, there was no escaping its infectious and danceable sound. (You know you two-stepped to it at your uncle's cookout.)
In between all of that two-stepping, similarities and comparisons were drawn between "Blurred Lines" and soul legend Marvin Gaye's 1971 hit "Got To Give It Up." Truthfully, you don't have to be a headphone junkie to draw the same comparison. In fact, Marvin Gaye's estate felt that the 2013 hit single sounded a LOT like Gaye's song, so much that they felt it infringed upon his intellectual property.
Naturally, a lawsuit was brought against Pharrell Williams and Robin Thicke. They both recognize the similarities in both songs. In fact, Williams admits that he "channeled that late 70s feeling" when he co-wrote the song. However, both artists maintain that they did not copy Gaye's music. This past Tuesday, a Los Angeles jury decided in favor of the Gaye family and awarded them $7.3 million in damages.
Howard E. King, who represented Robin Thicke and Pharrell Williams in this matter, is "reviewing the decision" and will consider their options. That's lawyer talk for he's going to appeal this decision. He believes that this decision sets a "horrible precedent for music and creativity" for other artists. Seriously, any fool could hear that these two songs sound very similar.
Mr. King is being very dramatic in his statement about music and creativity. There is a fine line between drawing inspiration from an artist or genre and outright copying their work(s).
Mark Ronson's "Uptown Funk," which is currently No. 1 on the Billboard charts (and could possibly be No. 1 to get on your nerves by the end of this year) takes heavy cues from artists like Morris Day, Zapp and Roger. It's an homage to 80s Funk and Pop.
When Raphael Saddiq reinvented his sound and gave us The Way I See It and Stone Rollin, it was clear that he drew inspiration from 50s and 60s Soul and Rock and Roll. Saddiq even used analog recording techniques to enhance that experience.
Daptone Records draws inspiration from 60s and 70s Soul. Their studio and recording method is a reminder of days gone by. Their artist roster would remind any music fan of the Stax and Motown era.
Kendrick Lamar's good kid, m.A.A.d city and the more recent B4.DA.$$ by Joey Bada$$ are both examples of Hip Hop's Golden Era being brought back to life by an appreciation from a younger generation.
I could go on and on. The point is, the aforementioned artists understood the line between appreciation and infringement. What Pharrell and Robin attempted to get away with was blurring that line under the guise of inspiration.
While Mr. King may have taken his dramatic cues from an 80s soap opera, rest assure, those artists who know and respect the line, those who do not attempt to cross that line, are perfectly safe to create free from fear of reprisal.
I'm sure if Mr. King were representing Pharrell versus the Coca Cola Corporation and this clear rip off of "Happy," he'd change his tune.
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