Intellectual theft is an inevitable practice in the music industry. Inevitable, given that it often happens accidentally. And, there are a good number of famous musicians who have performed this act, and one of them is both confirmed and alleged to be Rod Stewart. While Rod Stewart is a standout and iconic musician in his own right with some incredible original songs, he has had some trouble with tracks that sound eerily similar to others.
Videos by American Songwriter
Two songs that fall under that umbrella include Stewart’s “Do You Think I’m Sexy” and “Forever Young”. Jorge Ben Jor sued Stewart for copying his 1972 single, “Taj Mahal”. Stewart later confessed to “unconscious plagiarism” in his 2012 autobiography. Furthermore, before releasing “Forever Young”, Stewart agreed to share royalties and give Dylan credit on the single for the thematic and lyrical similarities he had implemented in his song. Though it doesn’t stop there, as John Lennon also accused Stewart of ripping off The Beatles’ iconic single, “Don’t Let Me Down”.
Released in 1970, “Don’t Let Me Down” was a standout single and released on the B-side of “Get Back”. Years later, in 1976, Stewart released the single, “The Killing Of Georgie”. There were some inherent similarities, and consequently, John Lennon had some assumptions.
It Was Nothing but a Thing for Rod Stewart and John Lennon
In one of the last major interviews with John Lennon, the former Beatles singer sat down with David Sheff in 1980. It was a historic conversation and has since been documented in the book, All We Are Saying: The Last Major Interview With John Lennon And Yoko Ono. In the interview, Lennon was an open book about every track he wrote with The Beatles. Hence, he gave his thoughts on “Don’t Let Me Down”.
“By the way, Rod Stewart turned that into ‘[Georgie] don’t go-o-o,’” Lennon candidly stated. “That’s one the publishers never noticed. Why didn’t he just sing ‘Don’t Let Me Down’? The same reason I don’t sing other people’s stuff: because you don’t get paid.”
These comments were the extent of Lennon’s gripe with Stewart. However, the plot thickened and just might have unfolded 36 years later in 2016.
In 2016, Rod Stewart sat down with the Guardian and briefly discussed the similarities between the singles. He simply told the publication that “it does sound like it… Nothing wrong with a good steal!”
Take that comment in whatever way you want. However, there is an underlying subtext to it that certainly sides with Lennon’s perspective on Stewart’s “The Killing Of Georgie”. Regardless, nothing major amounted to this alleged plagiarism. Instead, it simply exists as art replicating art, nothing more, and nothing less.
Photo By Rick Diamond/Getty Images
Leave a Reply
Only members can comment. Become a member. Already a member? Log in.