one direction respond to 'ripping off' claims

[Jurv]

One Direction have responded to claims that they ripped off The Clash on their new single 'Live While We're Young'.

Earlier this week, angry Twitter users vented their fury at the boyband and accused them of copying the opening bars of the legendary punk band's classic track 'Should I Stay Or Should I Go'.

Writing on the social networking site, @joe_ridley said: "One direction stealing the start to 'should I stay or should I go – the clash' little *****!" while @Guywoodgate1989 fumed: "I hope One Direction are paying royalties to The Clash for that crap rip off of Should I Stay Or Go opening riff."

Now, their displeasure is unlikely to be placated by One Direction member Harry Styles, who seemingly admitted during an interview with BBC Newsbeat that the similarity between the two songs was intentional.

Speaking about the likeness between the tracks, he said: It was kind of on purpose though. It's a great riff, so…
Meanwhile, his bandmate Louis Tomlinson said that it was inevitable that songwriters would pen tracks which sounded similar to older efforts, claiming: "I assume it must be quite difficult to do a unique riff now because there have been so many songs - surely there's only so many riffs you can pull out?"

One Direction were forced to release the video for 'Live While We're Young' early after it was leaked online. The band, who were recently reported to have made £100 million between themselves in the last two years, release their second album 'Take Me Home' on November 12. To compare their new single to The Clash's classic track, scroll down to the bottom of the page and click.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbPED...layer_embedded
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIXLHtg2Btk&feature=player_embedded

quite an interesting read. i thought the open melody sounded similar to something else, couldn't think of what it was though. but yeah, what are your thoughts? do you think it was intentional, and should it be allowed?

[lawrawrrr]

i thought this from when i first heard the song!! but yeah i agree with what louis said - there's so many songs there's no way each of them can be COMPLETELY unique. it's not like the rest of the song is the same so i think its ok

[Richie]

In fairness those on twitter who were supposedly furious because they stole a riff in the song aren't mad because that. Most of them are the same users who would jump on the 'WE HATE 1D BECAUSE THEY GET MORE ***** THAN US' boat if they had the chance. People hating on artists over stupid things, pure jealousy. I admit the start of the song does sound similar just sped up a bit but people expect them to pay royalties for a riff that lasts a few seconds? jog on. I don't float on that boat and I'm not a huge fan but seriously some people need to get a grip, you should hear some of the comments getting hurdled at artists like these and Justin Bieber its bloody disgraceful, some people need a few minutes to step back to reality because they've obviously lost that to the internet.


/Rant

[Teabags]

why hasn't anyone had a go at avril lavigne for her ripping of Pink Floyd song names?
(I know the songs sound really different, but she has about 3-4 titles the same).

Why is it such a big deal? It's just such iconic bands and tag lines being used. Everyone loves Niggaz in Paris with Blades of Glory ref. (bit different I know, but there is some shared principle in there).

[LiquidLuck.]

@Teabags; first Avril Lavigne, like 9/10 years ago when she firstly became famous and was getting big, was way better than how are One Direction now. Even yesterday, me and my friends were watching a music channel and one of her songs came on and we just start singing it like during how childhood. With One Direction we're just fed up with their songs..

About One Direction haters, if you don't like them don't listen to them, but why come up with dumb things to say and excuses like ''all their songs sound the same''? Almost ALL songs sound the same in our days. If you dislike it, then listen to Queen or Aerosmith or whatever.

[Sharon]

Doesn't bother me at all, they're still hot and they're going to continue to make millions regardless of a bunch of ignorant idiots online finding fault with every single little thing they do purely because they'd give absolutely anything to be in their position. These 5 guys could can buy anything they want right now and have anyone they want too. People who hate most probably just want to be them.

[Kardan]

I think it's ridiculous that people are saying it's okay because there are only so many sounds in the world...

I don't see Rihanna or Lady GaGa copying the opening of songs.

Recall Diana Vickers, another X-factor contestant, copying the main riff of Under the Bridge by RHCP, she got absolutely slated - this is pretty much the same thing.

What makes me even more annoyed are all the 13 year old girls responding to The Clash's video on YouTube saying 'How the hell does this sound like the One Direction song?' - Are they deaf? It's identical.

[Teabags]

@Teabags; first Avril Lavigne, like 9/10 years ago when she firstly became famous and was getting big, was way better than how are One Direction now. Even yesterday, me and my friends were watching a music channel and one of her songs came on and we just start singing it like during how childhood. With One Direction we're just fed up with their songs..

About One Direction haters, if you don't like them don't listen to them, but why come up with dumb things to say and excuses like ''all their songs sound the same''? Almost ALL songs sound the same in our days. If you dislike it, then listen to Queen or Aerosmith or whatever.

It doesn't matter that you like/ prefer her songs, it's about the fact she still copied numerous song titles?
(even though she is better).

[LiquidLuck.]

It doesn't matter that you like/ prefer her songs, it's about the fact she still copied numerous song titles?
(even though she is better).

Numerous song titles? The only one I could think of was ''Wish you were here'' and I even googled it and that's the only one I can find. Also if you're saying Avril copied Pink Floyd's song title, then so did the Bee Gees, because they used the same title for one of their songs.. Now what I want to ask if, did anyone ever accused the Bee Gees of doing such a thing? I doubt it.

[samsaBEAR]

why hasn't anyone had a go at avril lavigne for her ripping of Pink Floyd song names?
(I know the songs sound really different, but she has about 3-4 titles the same).

Why is it such a big deal? It's just such iconic bands and tag lines being used. Everyone loves Niggaz in Paris with Blades of Glory ref. (bit different I know, but there is some shared principle in there).

'Ripping off' song names is such a stupid accusation to make against someone. Heaven forbid someone names a song the same as someone else, guess all those artists with 'Introduction' as the first song on their albums better be prepared for some suing!

The riff sounds the same yes, but it's not ripping The Clash off. Ripping them off would be to completely steal the whole song, change the lyrics blah blah, even then I'm sure The Clash would get a pretty penny and would all be legally settled, so it would only be ripping off to all The Clash fans. Artists get sampled and riffs get borrowed, it's the way it's been in music for a long time. I'm not trying to defend One Direction, I hate the ******s, but let's all be realistic here.