Music’s Copycats: Top 20 Songs Accused of Rip-offs

Music’s Copycats: Top 20 Songs Accused of Rip-offs

The music world is full of inspiration, but sometimes, artists walk a fine line between borrowing and outright copying. Watch Mojo’s latest list dives into 20 recent songs that sound surprisingly similar to others, sparking debates about plagiarism and artistic integrity. From chart-toppers to lesser-known tracks, these tunes have all faced accusations of lifting melodies, rhythms, or even entire concepts.

Travis Scott’s ‘Telekinesis’ Faces Lawsuit

At number 20, we have Travis Scott’s 2025 track ‘Telekinesis,’ featuring SZA and Future. Songwriter Victory Boyd sued Scott, claiming he used parts of her 2019 gospel song. Boyd alleged that her composition, which she had previously worked on with Kanye West, had elements lifted for the ‘Telekinesis’ chorus. While she eventually received a songwriting credit, Boyd expressed disappointment that her work was used outside the gospel genre.

Bad Bunny’s ‘Safarea’ Pulled for Sampling Issues

Number 13 on the list is Bad Bunny’s ‘Safarea,’ featuring Jowell & Randy and Ñengo Flow. Sampling is common in music, but this track crossed a line. Bad Bunny had to remove ‘Safarea’ from streaming platforms because it heavily borrowed from Missy Elliott’s iconic 2001 hit, ‘Get Ur Freak On.’ The artists ended up having to give Elliott a significant 25% of their royalties for the song.

Taylor Swift’s ‘Shake It Off’ Faces Copyright Claims

Taylor Swift’s 2014 mega-hit ‘Shake It Off’ landed at number 12. The song, a bold move into pop for the then-country star, drew attention from the R&B group 3LW. They claimed Swift’s track sounded too similar to their 2001 song ‘Playas Gon’ Play.’ The case argued whether a common phrase sung in a similar way constituted copyright infringement. However, the courts ultimately dismissed the lawsuit, finding no fault with Swift’s song.

Adele’s ‘Million Years Ago’ and a Blast from the Past

Adele’s 2015 ballad ‘Million Years Ago’ found itself at number 18. Brazilian songwriter Toninho Horta accused the British superstar of copying his song ‘Blue Mountain.’ Horta sued for a share of the royalties, and initially, it seemed Adele would have to pay up, with the song even being temporarily removed from streaming. However, the case took a turn when it was discovered that both songs were influenced by the 1964 classic ‘Yesterday, When I Was Young.’ This connection allowed ‘Million Years Ago’ to return to streaming platforms.

Shakira’s ‘Chantaje’ Accused of Copying

At number 17, we have Shakira’s hit song ‘Chantaje,’ featuring Maluma. The pop star faced claims that she borrowed too heavily from Lanca’s 2008 track ‘Trouble Is a Friend.’ The similarities between the melodies were hard to ignore. Shakira’s agency voluntarily removed the song, even though the lyrics and themes were different. Lanca was given a songwriting credit, acknowledging the clear musical borrowing.

Childish Gambino’s ‘This Is America’ Echoes Another Track

Childish Gambino’s powerful 2018 song ‘This Is America’ made a huge cultural impact with its striking video and pointed lyrics about racial injustice. However, its catchy hook was accused of being lifted from Kid West’s 2016 song ‘Made in America.’ Watch Mojo leaves it up to the listeners to decide if it was a coincidence or something more, as no official settlement was ever reached.

Justin Bieber’s ‘Sorry’ and a Vocal Similarity

Number 15 features Justin Bieber’s 2015 smash hit ‘Sorry.’ Singer Casey Dienel claimed that the song’s vocal hook was strikingly similar to her track ‘Ring the Bell.’ She felt it was a major artist copying her work. However, a video released by producer Skrillex showed him manipulating co-writer Julia Michaels’ vocals to achieve the desired sound. This evidence suggested the similarity might have been an unintentional coincidence, and the lawsuit eventually faded away.

Ed Sheeran’s ‘The Rest of Our Life’ Faces Legal Action

Ed Sheeran, known for his songwriting prowess, co-wrote the 2017 country duet ‘The Rest of Our Life’ for Tim McGraw and Faith Hill. The song became the subject of a lawsuit alleging it sounded too much like ‘When I Found You’ by Australian artist Jasmine Ray. Despite Ray seeking $5 million in damages, an agreement was eventually reached between the parties for an undisclosed amount.

The Weeknd’s ‘Starboy’ Under Scrutiny

At number 11, we look at The Weeknd’s massive 2016 hit ‘Starboy,’ featuring Daft Punk. The song was a critical and commercial success, pushing The Weeknd’s career to new heights. However, it also faced accusations of sounding too similar to the song ‘Huyo’ by singer and poet Yasminah. The list suggests that even global superstars aren’t immune to these kinds of claims.

Karol G’s ‘Bichota’ Accused of Copying

Karol G’s 2021 hit ‘Bichota’ is at number 19. The song was a massive success, but it faced accusations of being too similar to a 2015 track by Puerto Rican artist Legna. Legna claimed that Karol G’s song copied the flow and melody of her music. The debate highlighted how easily inspiration can blur into alleged plagiarism in the vibrant Latin music scene.

Shakira’s ‘La Bicicleta’ Faces Legal Troubles

Another track from Shakira appears at number 14: ‘La Bicicleta,’ a collaboration with Carlos Vives. They were sued by a Cuban artist named Livam, who claimed the song copied elements of his 2015 track ‘A Ti Te Te Gusta.’ The lawsuit alleged that the melody and rhythm were too alike. This case added to the ongoing discussions about originality in music, especially within the Latin pop genre.

Sam Smith’s ‘Stay With Me’ and Tom Petty’s ‘I Won’t Back Down’

At number 10, Sam Smith’s 2014 hit ‘Stay With Me’ shares a melodic similarity with Tom Petty’s 1989 classic ‘I Won’t Back Down.’ While initially denied, a lawsuit confirmed the resemblance. Petty and his co-writer Jeff Lynne were eventually given songwriting credits on ‘Stay With Me.’ This highlights how sometimes, similarities are undeniable and require official recognition.

Coldplay’s ‘Every Teardrop Is a Waterfall’ and Joe Satriani’s ‘If I Could Fly’

Coldplay’s 2011 song ‘Every Teardrop Is a Waterfall’ is at number 9. Guitarist Joe Satriani sued the band, claiming the song’s main riff was very similar to his 2004 instrumental track ‘If I Could Fly.’ The case was settled out of court, with Coldplay agreeing to an undisclosed financial settlement. This case shows that even instrumental similarities can lead to legal battles.

Robin Thicke & Pharrell Williams’ ‘Blurred Lines’ vs. Marvin Gaye’s ‘Got to Give It Up’

Perhaps one of the most famous recent cases, number 8 is Robin Thicke and Pharrell Williams’ 2013 hit ‘Blurred Lines.’ They were sued by the estate of Marvin Gaye, who claimed the song copied Gaye’s 1977 hit ‘Got to Give It Up.’ A jury found that ‘Blurred Lines’ did infringe on the copyright, leading to a significant payout for Gaye’s family. This case set a major precedent for copyright law in music.

Led Zeppelin’s ‘Whole Lotta Love’ and Willie Dixon’s ‘You Need Love’

Going back a bit further, number 7 is Led Zeppelin’s 1969 classic ‘Whole Lotta Love.’ It was revealed that the song heavily borrowed from Willie Dixon’s 1962 track ‘You Need Love.’ While not sued at the time, Robert Plant and Jimmy Page later admitted to taking inspiration. Dixon eventually received a songwriting credit and royalties, acknowledging the song’s roots.

Ray J’s ‘Famous’ and Kanye West’s ‘Famous’

Number 6 is Ray J’s 2016 track ‘Famous.’ He accused Kanye West of copying the title and concept of his song for West’s own track of the same name. Ray J felt West’s song, which featured a controversial music video, was a direct imitation. The dispute highlighted the competitive nature and sometimes contentious relationships within the music industry.

Madonna’s ‘Hung Up’ and ABBA’s ‘Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)’

At number 5, Madonna’s 2005 hit ‘Hung Up’ samples the iconic synth riff from ABBA’s 1979 disco anthem ‘Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight).’ Unlike other cases, Madonna directly sought permission from ABBA to use the sample. This resulted in a successful collaboration where both artists benefited, showing a positive way to handle sampling inspiration.

Michael Bolton’s ‘Love Is a Wonderful Thing’ and The Isley Brothers’ ‘Love Is a Wonderful Thing’

Number 4 is Michael Bolton’s 1991 song ‘Love Is a Wonderful Thing.’ The Isley Brothers sued Bolton, claiming he copied their 1966 song of the same name. A jury agreed, finding that Bolton’s version was indeed an infringement. This case resulted in Bolton having to pay substantial damages to The Isley Brothers.

Vanilla Ice’s ‘Ice Ice Baby’ and Queen & David Bowie’s ‘Under Pressure’

Number 3 on the list is Vanilla Ice’s 1990 hit ‘Ice Ice Baby.’ The iconic bassline was undeniably similar to the one in Queen and David Bowie’s 1981 song ‘Under Pressure.’ After initial denials, Vanilla Ice eventually admitted to using the sample and gave Queen and David Bowie songwriting credits. This became a famous example of sampling gone wrong.

The Verve’s ‘Bitter Sweet Symphony’ and The Rolling Stones’ ‘The Last Time’

At number 2, The Verve’s 1997 anthem ‘Bitter Sweet Symphony’ faced legal issues. The string sample used in the song was originally from an orchestral version of The Rolling Stones’ 1965 song ‘The Last Time.’ Although The Verve claimed they had permission, the rights holders of ‘The Last Time’ sued. Ultimately, the songwriting credits were transferred to The Rolling Stones’ members Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, and the song’s writer Richard Ashcroft received no royalties for years.

Ariana Grande’s ‘7 Rings’ and Sound of Blackness’ ‘Control’

Topping the list at number 1 is Ariana Grande’s 2019 chart-topper ‘7 Rings.’ The song faced accusations of copying the melody from the 2017 track ‘Control’ by the hip-hop group Sound of Blackness. While Grande’s team denied the claims, the similarities were noted by many listeners and critics, sparking a lively debate about originality in modern pop music.

Source: Top 20 Recent Rip Off Songs (YouTube)