Sam Smith to pay Tom Petty Royalties

To many ads? Support ODJT and see no ads!
ahoustondj

ahoustondj

DJ Extraordinaire
Aug 13, 2007
20,235
3,464
Texas
Last edited:
Wasn't really a case. The writers were contacted, they agree that it sounded similar enough, and added tom petty and jeff Lynne to the writing credit.

There was another song last year that the writer said the beginning was inspired by tom petty' american girl. The group had opened for petty and said they were big fans. The beginning sounds very similar.

In the incident last year, When asked if he would sue, petty said "Nah, it was nice of them to acknowledge the inspiration. Too much suing going on, and many of my songs were inspired by great artists before me," like roger McGuinne of the byrds
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jeff Romard
The only downside since it wasn't acknowledged early on, is Tom and Jeff Lynne won't be given credit at the Grammys .. only a certificate acknowledgement. I also suppose the royalty payments won't hurt .. plus one has to protect one's IP.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jeff Romard
Tom did seem pretty clear....he was not going to back down. :p
 
  • Like
Reactions: ittigger, Jeff Romard, Scott Hanna and 2 others
steve149 said:
The only downside since it wasn't acknowledged early on, is Tom and Jeff Lynne won't be given credit at the Grammys .. only a certificate acknowledgement. I also suppose the royalty payments won't hurt .. plus one has to protect one's IP.
Click to expand...

I think that's perfectly fair. The song is similar enough that royalties should be split, yet different enough that they should not get a Grammy. I don't think they care. Also, both guys have written so many songs, I would hope that royalties aren't super important to them
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jeff Romard
I don't know .. if you listen to this video, it sure is VERY similar ...

 
  • Like
Reactions: Jeff Romard
Yes, extremely similar. But a different song.

Just like I think queen should get royalties from ice ice baby., but not a Grammy if the song won one.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jeff Romard
I picked on that the first time I heard it. To me it was a blatant rip-off which made me not want to accept the song from the beginning. I am glad Tom & Jeff got the credit they deserved. Sam probably grew up listening to his parents playing Tom Petty on their home stereo, can't really blame him for that.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jeff Romard
maestro said:
I picked on that the first time I heard it. To me it was a blatant rip-off which made me not want to accept the song from the beginning. I am glad Tom & Jeff got the credit they deserved. Sam probably grew up listening to his parents playing Tom Petty on their home stereo, can't really blame him for that.
Click to expand...

Sam didn't write it, but probably should have at least figured that part out.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jeff Romard
maestro said:
Sam shows up as the first name listed in the writing credit on wiki.
Click to expand...

The article I read listed James Napier and William Phillips .. another search shows you are correct, Smith is also listed.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom
Back