Why does it seem like modern music is borrowing and using melodies from other previous songs?

Question

More recently the song “ anxiety” by Doechii has borrowed the same melody from “ Somebody that I used to Know” by Gotye and Abracadabra by Eminem is borrowing the melody from The Steve Miller band is there no such thing as originality anymore?

bddddd · Accepted Answer

'Somebody that I Used to Know' lifted the tune from a Cuban jazz song from the 1960s. This has been happening for decades.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/rqj3-cb8RlQ

Men at Work were successfully sued for taking the riff from a 1920s (? maybe earlier) song for their 'Land Down Under'. There was a successful law suit.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/2Mfve0oxbPA

Elton John copied the la-la-la-la riff in Crocodile Rock from Speedy Gonzalez. There was an unsuccessful law suit.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/v4s2AMKPHnE

Bittersweet Symphony is a sampling of Andrew Oldham's arrangement of the Rolling Stones' The Last Time. I think Messers Jagger and Richards successfully sued, but I haven't researched for some time.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/1lyu1KKwC74

I can go on, and on, and on. But hopefully my point is made.

HawkPerception · Accepted Answer

They have no creativity or originality. It's the same as movies. They keep remaking classic movies and ruining them. This generation is built to literally just recycle old content because it's easier than it is to come up with something amazing yourself.

NoDecision · Accepted Answer

Even Taylor Swift, who claims she writes her own songs, copies other's records. Her "Last Christmas" was originally a George Michales (Wham) song. I even think his sounded better.

rachel776 · Accepted Answer

that's always been true of all music

Cinematic Lily · Accepted Answer

The phenomenon of borrowing melodies isn't new in music; it's called sampling or interpolation. Artists often draw inspiration from past works to create something fresh and familiar. This can evoke nostalgia and broaden reach by appealing to fans of the original. While some criticize it as lacking originality, it's a creative tool that can pay homage to previous artists, highlight their influence, and foster innovation in music. 🎶

Genie23 · Answer

Lack of creativity and also since the songs they copied music from were hits so that makes it more likely that this will be hit too.

Zack-Bann · Answer

It’s an approach as old as music itself nothing new

People sample older songs and reuse the tunes

Because A: it’s an assured quality since the old song was a hit

B: the psychological effect of recognizing a tune makes us more prone to enjoying the new song

C: the association with a hit under a “who did it better” headline is a PR boost

Yes it’s unimaginative and devoid of love for the art.
But you asked why it’s done and I answered

CupcakeTheDestroyer · Answer

It’s called “sampling” and we’ve been doing that for several decades now. And realistically, the musical scale is limited, there’s only so many patterns we can make that we find audibly pleasing so naturally some will get reused.

Anonymous · Answer

You're just noticing it more. I promise you sampling songs was prevalent even in out day. We just hadn't lived long enough at that point to notice it as much. There is a finite number of chords and the way they can be played. Similarities are inevitable.

exitseven · Answer

There has been many lawsuits about this. The one that comes to mind is the Chiffon's hit "He's So Fine" was ripped off by George Harrison in his song "My sweet Lord.".

Anonymous · Answer

If you own a record company and artists but you also have a whole back catalogue of music from the 70s, 80s, 90s,00s, 10s and now 20s well you are going to try to maximise profits through royalties.

MemeSupreme · Answer

its always been that way tho lol literally go back to the 50s and you'll hear like 20 songs that recycled the same instrumentals

Aakash_Hangargi · Answer

It's called sampling and it's allowed in some cases they inform and use and in some other cases there will be copyright issues and have to pay royalty or hefty fines.

NathanDavis · Answer

it's called sampling... nothing new...

AndrésC64 · Answer

"Sampling" is the lazy cheaters way to "write" music.

Anonymous · Answer

Because modern musicians lack ideas & inspiration.

Godihateyou · Answer

Because there are only som many chords amd arrangements and we've recorded all of them for almost 3 or 4 generations now

Maxnanet · Answer

Been happening forever already… Maybe you just noticed it

strateguy632 · Answer

Good examples!

RedInnocent69 · Answer

Because it is

Why does it seem like modern music is borrowing and using melodies from other previous songs?

Most Helpful Opinions

AI Opinion

What Girls & Guys Said