I almost forgot, musical compositions. Here’s a list of songs inspired by or derived from other songs, either through direct sampling, homage, remixing, or borrowing musical themes. Some of these cases are explicit and acknowledged, while others are subtle nods or inspired by certain musical themes.
1. “Ice Ice Baby” by Vanilla Ice – Sampled “Under Pressure” by Queen & David Bowie
This famous bassline was sampled almost verbatim, though initially uncredited, from Under Pressure. Vanilla Ice eventually had to settle with Bowie and Queen for the rights, as the similarity was unmistakable.
2. “Sweet Home Alabama” by Lynyrd Skynyrd – Response to “Southern Man” by Neil Young
Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Sweet Home Alabama was written as a retort to Neil Young’s Southern Man, which criticizes the South’s history with racism. Skynyrd’s song is both a tribute to the South and a friendly response to Young’s message.
3. “Come Together” by The Beatles – Influenced by “You Can’t Catch Me” by Chuck Berry
John Lennon was sued by Chuck Berry’s publisher because of lyrical and rhythmic similarities. As part of the settlement, Lennon agreed to record more of Berry’s songs on his solo albums, recognizing the influence of You Can’t Catch Me.
4. “Smells Like Teen Spirit” by Nirvana – Influenced by “More Than a Feeling” by Boston
Kurt Cobain acknowledged that Smells Like Teen Spirit was inspired by Boston’s More Than a Feeling, particularly in its guitar riff and anthemic feel, though he gave it his own grunge twist.
5. “Stay With Me” by Sam Smith – Similar to “I Won’t Back Down” by Tom Petty
After fans noticed similarities between the chorus of Stay With Me and I Won’t Back Down, Tom Petty and Jeff Lynne were given co-writing credits for Smith’s song.
6. “Blurred Lines” by Robin Thicke & Pharrell Williams – Inspired by “Got to Give It Up” by Marvin Gaye
This case went to court, where Marvin Gaye’s family won the lawsuit, proving that Blurred Lines borrowed heavily from the groove and feel of Got to Give It Up.
7. “American Woman” by Lenny Kravitz – Cover of “American Woman” by The Guess Who
Lenny Kravitz’s 1999 hit was a direct cover of The Guess Who’s original from 1970, but Kravitz put his own spin on it, creating a modern rendition that resonated with new audiences.
8. “Old Town Road” by Lil Nas X – Sampled “34 Ghosts IV” by Nine Inch Nails
Old Town Road heavily samples an instrumental from Nine Inch Nails’ 34 Ghosts IV, contributing to its unique fusion of country and trap, with Trent Reznor later receiving co-writing credits.
9. “Uptown Funk” by Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars – Similar to “Oops Up Side Your Head” by The Gap Band
Parts of Uptown Funk closely resemble Oops Up Side Your Head, leading to a legal settlement and The Gap Band receiving songwriting credits for their influence on the hit.
10. “A Whiter Shade of Pale” by Procol Harum – Inspired by “Air on the G String” by Johann Sebastian Bach
This classic rock song borrows its melody and progression from Bach’s Air on the G String, blending classical influence with rock balladry in a unique way.
11. “Creep” by Radiohead – Similar to “The Air That I Breathe” by The Hollies
Due to similarities in the chord progression and melody, Radiohead agreed to share songwriting credits with Albert Hammond and Mike Hazlewood of The Hollies, who wrote The Air That I Breathe.
12. “Bitter Sweet Symphony” by The Verve – Sampled “The Last Time” by The Rolling Stones
The Verve sampled an orchestral cover of The Last Time but ended up losing all royalties to The Rolling Stones' management after a lawsuit, though they retained performance royalties.
13. “Surfin’ U.S.A.” by The Beach Boys – Inspired by “Sweet Little Sixteen” by Chuck Berry
The Beach Boys initially didn’t credit Chuck Berry, though Surfin’ U.S.A. is almost a direct copy of Sweet Little Sixteen’s melody. Berry was later credited as a songwriter.
14. “Life’s Been Good” by Joe Walsh – Inspiration for “Life’s Been A Carnival” by Styx
Styx’s Life’s Been a Carnival borrowed both stylistic and thematic elements from Joe Walsh’s Life’s Been Good, with a satirical take on fame and the rock star lifestyle.
15. “Born This Way” by Lady Gaga – Similar to “Express Yourself” by Madonna
Gaga’s Born This Way was noted for its striking similarity in melody and message to Madonna’s Express Yourself. While Madonna didn’t pursue legal action, she acknowledged the resemblance in interviews.
16. “Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da” by The Beatles – Inspiration for “Why Don’t You Get A Job?” by The Offspring
The Offspring’s song Why Don’t You Get A Job? shares a similar rhythm and style to Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da, providing a punk twist to The Beatles’ reggae-inspired pop tune.
17. “Hotel California” by The Eagles – Inspiration for “We Used to Know” by Jethro Tull
Though never confirmed as a direct copy, Hotel California’s chord progression is similar to Jethro Tull’s We Used to Know. Both bands were touring together at the time, leading fans to speculate about mutual influence.
18. “Crazy in Love” by Beyoncé – Sampled “Are You My Woman (Tell Me So)” by The Chi-Lites
The iconic horn sample in Crazy in Love comes from Are You My Woman, giving Beyoncé’s song its distinctive, powerful intro.
19. “Gold Digger” by Kanye West – Sampled “I Got a Woman” by Ray Charles
Kanye’s Gold Digger uses a sample from Ray Charles’s I Got a Woman, changing its meaning and updating it for a hip-hop audience, while paying homage to a soul classic.
20. “Can’t Touch This” by MC Hammer – Sampled “Super Freak” by Rick James
Can’t Touch This famously uses the bass line from Rick James’s Super Freak, with Hammer rapping over it, creating a fusion of hip-hop and funk that became iconic in the 90s.
These examples illustrate how music is often built on reinterpretation, sampling, or paying homage to earlier works. Whether through direct samples, lyrical references, or stylistic borrowing, musicians regularly draw from previous songs to create something new while nodding to the original sources.
The practice of borrowing, reinterpreting, or directly copying elements from other composers is common in classical music. Many famous composers drew inspiration from, or even reworked, pieces by their predecessors, contemporaries, and students. Here are some prominent examples of classical composers borrowing or building upon existing works:
1. Handel and Corelli
George Frideric Handel frequently borrowed musical themes and entire passages from other composers, especially Arcangelo Corelli. In Messiah, Handel incorporated several themes directly inspired by Corelli’s works, especially from Corelli’s Concerti Grossi. Handel also drew on Corelli’s stylistic approach to build his signature sound in English oratorios.
2. Mozart and Bach
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was heavily influenced by Johann Sebastian Bach. After studying Bach’s The Well-Tempered Clavier, Mozart infused Bach’s counterpoint into his own compositions. For example, his Requiem Mass in D Minor uses Bach-like fugues and harmonic structures, and in his String Quartet No. 21, he employs imitative counterpoint inspired by Bach’s writing.
3. Beethoven’s Variations on Mozart’s Themes
Ludwig van Beethoven had great respect for Mozart and created several variations on Mozart’s themes. His Diabelli Variations take direct inspiration from Mozart’s melodic structure in Don Giovanni and the Magic Flute. Additionally, his Eroica Variations and Piano Variations on a Theme by Mozart pay homage to Mozart’s themes and structures.
4. Brahms’s Variations on a Theme by Haydn
Johannes Brahms’s Variations on a Theme by Haydn are directly based on a theme Brahms believed was composed by Haydn (though now disputed). This orchestral piece takes the “Chorale St. Antoni” theme and develops it through multiple variations, displaying both Brahms’s respect for and transformation of Haydn’s melodic style.
5. Ravel’s Tombeau de Couperin and Baroque Styles
Maurice Ravel’s Le Tombeau de Couperin is a homage to French Baroque composers, especially François Couperin. Ravel uses Baroque dance forms and Couperin’s stylistic elements, updating them with a modern harmonic language but maintaining a classical structure as a tribute to Couperin’s era.
6. Stravinsky’s Pulcinella and Pergolesi
Igor Stravinsky’s Pulcinella suite is based on music attributed to Giovanni Battista Pergolesi. Stravinsky reinterpreted and re-orchestrated Pergolesi’s compositions with modern harmonies and rhythmic alterations, creating a neo-classical homage to Pergolesi while making the music distinctly his own.
7. Bartók’s Use of Folk Melodies
Béla Bartók was known for collecting and incorporating folk music into his compositions. His Romanian Folk Dances and Hungarian Sketches are arrangements of traditional folk tunes, which Bartók meticulously transcribed and adapted. These pieces blend traditional folk melodies with Bartók’s modern harmonic and rhythmic ideas.
8. Liszt and Schubert’s Songs
Franz Liszt transcribed numerous songs by Franz Schubert into solo piano pieces. His Schubert Song Transcriptions take songs like Ave Maria and Erlkönig and transform them into virtuosic piano pieces, making Schubert’s lyrical melodies central to his piano repertoire.
9. Tchaikovsky and French Ballet Music
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, and Sleeping Beauty ballets include homages to French ballet music, particularly drawing from composers like Adolphe Adam and Léo Delibes. Tchaikovsky integrated French ballet’s melodic and dance styles into his works, paying tribute while modernizing and enhancing the genre’s appeal.
10. Prokofiev’s Classical Symphony and Haydn
Sergei Prokofiev’s Symphony No. 1 (Classical Symphony) was written in a style that deliberately emulates Joseph Haydn’s classical symphonies. Prokofiev’s symphony is a playful reinterpretation of Haydn’s classical forms, using modern harmonies and rhythms while honoring classical-era structure and clarity.
11. Rachmaninoff and Paganini’s Theme
Sergei Rachmaninoff’s Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini is based on Niccolò Paganini’s Caprice No. 24. Rachmaninoff’s work creates variations on this theme, transforming it through numerous stylistic changes, from hauntingly lyrical to rhythmically aggressive passages, culminating in the famous “18th Variation.”
12. Copland’s Appalachian Spring and Shaker Melody
Aaron Copland’s Appalachian Spring incorporates the Shaker song “Simple Gifts,” using it as the thematic material for a set of variations. Copland transforms this melody, giving it a central place in the ballet, and creating a piece that feels both distinctly American and rooted in folk tradition.
13. Holst’s Planets and Wagner’s Influence
Gustav Holst’s The Planets suite, while original, shows a clear influence from Richard Wagner’s harmonic language and orchestration. Holst’s use of orchestral color, particularly in Mars, the Bringer of War, echoes Wagner’s operatic intensity and vast harmonic landscapes, reflecting admiration and adaptation rather than direct copying.
14. Respighi’s Ancient Airs and Dances and Italian Renaissance
Ottorino Respighi’s Ancient Airs and Dances is based on Italian and French Renaissance and Baroque music. Respighi modernizes these ancient tunes with lush orchestration and added harmonies, reviving forgotten music with a 20th-century perspective.
15. Vaughan Williams’s Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis
Ralph Vaughan Williams took a theme by 16th-century English composer Thomas Tallis and expanded it into a lush, richly textured string composition. Vaughan Williams’s Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis pays homage to Tallis’s Renaissance polyphony while creating an immersive, orchestral experience.
In classical music, these examples showcase how composers transformed, reinterpreted, and even honored each other’s work, often blending innovation with tradition. By borrowing themes or structures from earlier pieces, these composers created dialogues across time, adding layers of complexity, homage, and evolution to classical music’s rich history.
1. “Ice Ice Baby” by Vanilla Ice – Sampled “Under Pressure” by Queen & David Bowie
This famous bassline was sampled almost verbatim, though initially uncredited, from Under Pressure. Vanilla Ice eventually had to settle with Bowie and Queen for the rights, as the similarity was unmistakable.
2. “Sweet Home Alabama” by Lynyrd Skynyrd – Response to “Southern Man” by Neil Young
Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Sweet Home Alabama was written as a retort to Neil Young’s Southern Man, which criticizes the South’s history with racism. Skynyrd’s song is both a tribute to the South and a friendly response to Young’s message.
3. “Come Together” by The Beatles – Influenced by “You Can’t Catch Me” by Chuck Berry
John Lennon was sued by Chuck Berry’s publisher because of lyrical and rhythmic similarities. As part of the settlement, Lennon agreed to record more of Berry’s songs on his solo albums, recognizing the influence of You Can’t Catch Me.
4. “Smells Like Teen Spirit” by Nirvana – Influenced by “More Than a Feeling” by Boston
Kurt Cobain acknowledged that Smells Like Teen Spirit was inspired by Boston’s More Than a Feeling, particularly in its guitar riff and anthemic feel, though he gave it his own grunge twist.
5. “Stay With Me” by Sam Smith – Similar to “I Won’t Back Down” by Tom Petty
After fans noticed similarities between the chorus of Stay With Me and I Won’t Back Down, Tom Petty and Jeff Lynne were given co-writing credits for Smith’s song.
6. “Blurred Lines” by Robin Thicke & Pharrell Williams – Inspired by “Got to Give It Up” by Marvin Gaye
This case went to court, where Marvin Gaye’s family won the lawsuit, proving that Blurred Lines borrowed heavily from the groove and feel of Got to Give It Up.
7. “American Woman” by Lenny Kravitz – Cover of “American Woman” by The Guess Who
Lenny Kravitz’s 1999 hit was a direct cover of The Guess Who’s original from 1970, but Kravitz put his own spin on it, creating a modern rendition that resonated with new audiences.
8. “Old Town Road” by Lil Nas X – Sampled “34 Ghosts IV” by Nine Inch Nails
Old Town Road heavily samples an instrumental from Nine Inch Nails’ 34 Ghosts IV, contributing to its unique fusion of country and trap, with Trent Reznor later receiving co-writing credits.
9. “Uptown Funk” by Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars – Similar to “Oops Up Side Your Head” by The Gap Band
Parts of Uptown Funk closely resemble Oops Up Side Your Head, leading to a legal settlement and The Gap Band receiving songwriting credits for their influence on the hit.
10. “A Whiter Shade of Pale” by Procol Harum – Inspired by “Air on the G String” by Johann Sebastian Bach
This classic rock song borrows its melody and progression from Bach’s Air on the G String, blending classical influence with rock balladry in a unique way.
11. “Creep” by Radiohead – Similar to “The Air That I Breathe” by The Hollies
Due to similarities in the chord progression and melody, Radiohead agreed to share songwriting credits with Albert Hammond and Mike Hazlewood of The Hollies, who wrote The Air That I Breathe.
12. “Bitter Sweet Symphony” by The Verve – Sampled “The Last Time” by The Rolling Stones
The Verve sampled an orchestral cover of The Last Time but ended up losing all royalties to The Rolling Stones' management after a lawsuit, though they retained performance royalties.
13. “Surfin’ U.S.A.” by The Beach Boys – Inspired by “Sweet Little Sixteen” by Chuck Berry
The Beach Boys initially didn’t credit Chuck Berry, though Surfin’ U.S.A. is almost a direct copy of Sweet Little Sixteen’s melody. Berry was later credited as a songwriter.
14. “Life’s Been Good” by Joe Walsh – Inspiration for “Life’s Been A Carnival” by Styx
Styx’s Life’s Been a Carnival borrowed both stylistic and thematic elements from Joe Walsh’s Life’s Been Good, with a satirical take on fame and the rock star lifestyle.
15. “Born This Way” by Lady Gaga – Similar to “Express Yourself” by Madonna
Gaga’s Born This Way was noted for its striking similarity in melody and message to Madonna’s Express Yourself. While Madonna didn’t pursue legal action, she acknowledged the resemblance in interviews.
16. “Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da” by The Beatles – Inspiration for “Why Don’t You Get A Job?” by The Offspring
The Offspring’s song Why Don’t You Get A Job? shares a similar rhythm and style to Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da, providing a punk twist to The Beatles’ reggae-inspired pop tune.
17. “Hotel California” by The Eagles – Inspiration for “We Used to Know” by Jethro Tull
Though never confirmed as a direct copy, Hotel California’s chord progression is similar to Jethro Tull’s We Used to Know. Both bands were touring together at the time, leading fans to speculate about mutual influence.
18. “Crazy in Love” by Beyoncé – Sampled “Are You My Woman (Tell Me So)” by The Chi-Lites
The iconic horn sample in Crazy in Love comes from Are You My Woman, giving Beyoncé’s song its distinctive, powerful intro.
19. “Gold Digger” by Kanye West – Sampled “I Got a Woman” by Ray Charles
Kanye’s Gold Digger uses a sample from Ray Charles’s I Got a Woman, changing its meaning and updating it for a hip-hop audience, while paying homage to a soul classic.
20. “Can’t Touch This” by MC Hammer – Sampled “Super Freak” by Rick James
Can’t Touch This famously uses the bass line from Rick James’s Super Freak, with Hammer rapping over it, creating a fusion of hip-hop and funk that became iconic in the 90s.
These examples illustrate how music is often built on reinterpretation, sampling, or paying homage to earlier works. Whether through direct samples, lyrical references, or stylistic borrowing, musicians regularly draw from previous songs to create something new while nodding to the original sources.
The practice of borrowing, reinterpreting, or directly copying elements from other composers is common in classical music. Many famous composers drew inspiration from, or even reworked, pieces by their predecessors, contemporaries, and students. Here are some prominent examples of classical composers borrowing or building upon existing works:
1. Handel and Corelli
George Frideric Handel frequently borrowed musical themes and entire passages from other composers, especially Arcangelo Corelli. In Messiah, Handel incorporated several themes directly inspired by Corelli’s works, especially from Corelli’s Concerti Grossi. Handel also drew on Corelli’s stylistic approach to build his signature sound in English oratorios.
2. Mozart and Bach
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was heavily influenced by Johann Sebastian Bach. After studying Bach’s The Well-Tempered Clavier, Mozart infused Bach’s counterpoint into his own compositions. For example, his Requiem Mass in D Minor uses Bach-like fugues and harmonic structures, and in his String Quartet No. 21, he employs imitative counterpoint inspired by Bach’s writing.
3. Beethoven’s Variations on Mozart’s Themes
Ludwig van Beethoven had great respect for Mozart and created several variations on Mozart’s themes. His Diabelli Variations take direct inspiration from Mozart’s melodic structure in Don Giovanni and the Magic Flute. Additionally, his Eroica Variations and Piano Variations on a Theme by Mozart pay homage to Mozart’s themes and structures.
4. Brahms’s Variations on a Theme by Haydn
Johannes Brahms’s Variations on a Theme by Haydn are directly based on a theme Brahms believed was composed by Haydn (though now disputed). This orchestral piece takes the “Chorale St. Antoni” theme and develops it through multiple variations, displaying both Brahms’s respect for and transformation of Haydn’s melodic style.
5. Ravel’s Tombeau de Couperin and Baroque Styles
Maurice Ravel’s Le Tombeau de Couperin is a homage to French Baroque composers, especially François Couperin. Ravel uses Baroque dance forms and Couperin’s stylistic elements, updating them with a modern harmonic language but maintaining a classical structure as a tribute to Couperin’s era.
6. Stravinsky’s Pulcinella and Pergolesi
Igor Stravinsky’s Pulcinella suite is based on music attributed to Giovanni Battista Pergolesi. Stravinsky reinterpreted and re-orchestrated Pergolesi’s compositions with modern harmonies and rhythmic alterations, creating a neo-classical homage to Pergolesi while making the music distinctly his own.
7. Bartók’s Use of Folk Melodies
Béla Bartók was known for collecting and incorporating folk music into his compositions. His Romanian Folk Dances and Hungarian Sketches are arrangements of traditional folk tunes, which Bartók meticulously transcribed and adapted. These pieces blend traditional folk melodies with Bartók’s modern harmonic and rhythmic ideas.
8. Liszt and Schubert’s Songs
Franz Liszt transcribed numerous songs by Franz Schubert into solo piano pieces. His Schubert Song Transcriptions take songs like Ave Maria and Erlkönig and transform them into virtuosic piano pieces, making Schubert’s lyrical melodies central to his piano repertoire.
9. Tchaikovsky and French Ballet Music
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, and Sleeping Beauty ballets include homages to French ballet music, particularly drawing from composers like Adolphe Adam and Léo Delibes. Tchaikovsky integrated French ballet’s melodic and dance styles into his works, paying tribute while modernizing and enhancing the genre’s appeal.
10. Prokofiev’s Classical Symphony and Haydn
Sergei Prokofiev’s Symphony No. 1 (Classical Symphony) was written in a style that deliberately emulates Joseph Haydn’s classical symphonies. Prokofiev’s symphony is a playful reinterpretation of Haydn’s classical forms, using modern harmonies and rhythms while honoring classical-era structure and clarity.
11. Rachmaninoff and Paganini’s Theme
Sergei Rachmaninoff’s Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini is based on Niccolò Paganini’s Caprice No. 24. Rachmaninoff’s work creates variations on this theme, transforming it through numerous stylistic changes, from hauntingly lyrical to rhythmically aggressive passages, culminating in the famous “18th Variation.”
12. Copland’s Appalachian Spring and Shaker Melody
Aaron Copland’s Appalachian Spring incorporates the Shaker song “Simple Gifts,” using it as the thematic material for a set of variations. Copland transforms this melody, giving it a central place in the ballet, and creating a piece that feels both distinctly American and rooted in folk tradition.
13. Holst’s Planets and Wagner’s Influence
Gustav Holst’s The Planets suite, while original, shows a clear influence from Richard Wagner’s harmonic language and orchestration. Holst’s use of orchestral color, particularly in Mars, the Bringer of War, echoes Wagner’s operatic intensity and vast harmonic landscapes, reflecting admiration and adaptation rather than direct copying.
14. Respighi’s Ancient Airs and Dances and Italian Renaissance
Ottorino Respighi’s Ancient Airs and Dances is based on Italian and French Renaissance and Baroque music. Respighi modernizes these ancient tunes with lush orchestration and added harmonies, reviving forgotten music with a 20th-century perspective.
15. Vaughan Williams’s Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis
Ralph Vaughan Williams took a theme by 16th-century English composer Thomas Tallis and expanded it into a lush, richly textured string composition. Vaughan Williams’s Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis pays homage to Tallis’s Renaissance polyphony while creating an immersive, orchestral experience.
In classical music, these examples showcase how composers transformed, reinterpreted, and even honored each other’s work, often blending innovation with tradition. By borrowing themes or structures from earlier pieces, these composers created dialogues across time, adding layers of complexity, homage, and evolution to classical music’s rich history.
Statistics: Posted by Secret Alias — Mon Oct 28, 2024 4:13 pm