How similar is legally too similar? The Carrie Underwood files

Country unknown looking for a little publicity or a case of one hit song's music sounding just a little too similar to another song? 

Really, how close is too close and should all similar-sounding music be subject to scrutiny?  Especially if the themes of the songs are completely different. That seems to be the question here.

Take one "country" unknown named Brittany McDonald and her song Bang, throw in a meeting with an un-named songwriter, add a very famous country gal and her new hit song and you have the latest plagiarism accusation, at least according to Perez Hilton.  

Seems Ms. McDonald has a song called Bang that a certain un-named songwriter - and Carrie Underwood collaborator - loved.  Ms. McDonald met with the songwriter back in December and then nothing happened.  Later on Carrie cowrote her new hit song, Cowboy Casanova, with that un-named songwriter (Cowboy Casanova cowriters are Brett James and Mike Elizondo, take your pick to which is the un-named accused).  Now come the claims that Cowboy Casanova and Bang sound very similar. 

Do they?  Is this a case of a tune was stuck in the songwriter's head and came out via Carrie's new song?  Is it a case of too little evidence?  Is it a case of someone just wanting a little publicity?  Or is it a case of who really cares? 

Take a listen and let me know what you think. 

Comments

[Urmomma]

This Brittany chick just wants money!!! She's just mad cause she's not where Carrie is in life!!!!! The lyrics are nothing alike but the beats are kinda similar. Thats it!!! People need to stop with the drama.

[Jaime]

I don't hear the similarities, I think someone is just out for money!

[john C]

No similarities in the two sons. Only similar in tones but that is as far as it goes.

[candace]

I listened to them both a few times and they dont sound at all the same. I think a small tiny part of the beat sound alittle the same but thats not stealing! Theres only so many beats you can do. If they make this bigger then it is and dont just drop it, they might as well sue everyone in the music buisness cuz I can think of a bunch of songs that have somewhat similar chords to it.Both songs are good and could make money! How lame to start this kind of crap!

[dee]

sorry folks, but if mute the singing and just listen to the musical arraingment the beat, and whet not, it sounds like the same song to me.

[Kris]

Sound kinda the same, but not really. What about Beyoncee's "Halo" and Kelly Clarkson's "Already Gone" music... yeah..

[Joanne]

I am a Lyricist for original music and a singer myself. I've been in this business for a long time. These two songs have nothing in common at all except that they are both upbeat with similar chord structure in a few areas. However, there is not one word of Carrie's song that even comes close to Brittany's words in her song. Chord structures are similar in most of today's Country Music. If it was a crime, we would have no Country Music at all. Both songs are very good songs that I would buy myself. But it is definitely NOT a rip-off.

[amiller]

not the same at all and carrie is much better

[PoneMaster]

I can understand the thought that they are similar in that the chord structure of both of the choruses are nearly the same, but that doesn't mean it's a ripoff. If that were true, country music wouldn't exist.

[Ray Guell]

not the same song.

[Bob Welch]

"Bang" might have been ripped off. The writers have to ask themselves a question, "was it worth it to rip off crap?"

[Nancy]

I don't think they sound similar at all! If I had heard these 2 songs, one after the other, on the radio, I never would have given it a 2nd thought. Ms McDonald's song is cute, but she shouldn't be trying to pull herself up by pulling someone else down.

[Vance]

The songs don't sound similar to me. But anyway, Underwood isn't even a party in the dispute. She doesn't claim to have written the song. Why is she being made such a big part of this story? I'll answer my own question....Because without her its a non-story.

[Cristy]

Sounds like somebody is just trying to ruin Carrie and are jealous she has become so well liked.

[Ken]

The main difference is that Brittany girl sucks. They should just pay her $50k and settle just to be done with it. Which is probably all they want to do anyway.

[J. Kari]

Similar tempos but very different songs. This
challenge won't fly.

[Tkat]

"Bang" is actually better... more upbeat!

Other than the beat (even though Carrie Underwood's song is considerably slower) they aren't that similar.

[Hank]

If the shoe was on the other foot and Carrie Underwood was accusing Brittany McDonald of stealing her song you would all be saying how much they sound alike. In my opinion they are very similar. If George Harrison lost a law suit because "My Sweet Lord" sounded like the Chiffons "He's So Fine" and the Beach Boys lost a suit because "Surfin' USA" sounded like Chuck Berry's "Sweet Little Sixteen", then Brittany definately has a leg to stand on.

[kevin]

Sounds like they both ripped off Katy Perry.

They should be suing each other for the rights to say that they had no part in creating this garbage music.

[Dan]

The beat is kind of similar... nothing else thoug. Who let Perez Hilton into Tenessee any way?

[Michelle Lynn Flint]

get a life hilton. They are not the same song. Carrie Underwood is a good singer and stop trying to ruin her songs and her career by saying something like that. Carrie not like that and the songs are very different not even close.

[BODEAN]

BOTH GOOD SONGS. WHAT'S A PEREZ HILTON AND WHY IS IT FAMOUS

[Lisa]

As far as the music itself, it sounds familiar, but the lyrics? Not a chance...

[Mattt]

besides the beginning, which is SLIGHTLY similar, i dont really hear anything the same. Almost all country songs sound similar, so why not sue and accuse all country artists of plagiarism?

[Brandi Jean]

I do like both songs very much, but no they are not similar at all. The beat has some similarity, but its not exactly the same and the lyrics are COMPLETELY different. This is just Perez Hilton using someone else to get some publicity cause he is a no good dirty sleeze ball.

[claudini]

After 11 years in radio, I would agree with most people that they are very different songs. I think Brittany's song is a good one and I'm glad that this controversy gave me a chance to hear it. Those who diss it probably have never written a song. Maybe Carrie heard it and liked the attitude and told her writers to go for something along those lines. Carrie has access to tools that "unknowns" may not -like autotune, zillion dollar compressors, etc.- which could make her song sound smoother.

[Heidi]

Maybe it's because I listened to the Bang song first, but I was bored with the Cowboy Casanova song two minutes in. And, yes, I do like Carrie Underwood's stuff very much usually.

[Bilcy]

Sorry NOT EVEN CLOSE....

[Elena]

Other than the intro beat which SORT of sounds familiar, everything else about the songs is different. In fact, I could listen to both of these back to back and not pick up on a real similarity. How stupid does this Brittany chick think we all are?

[Seagreen45]

Not even close. Maybe a hint of a driving sub-beat, but, they are clearly different songs. And Perez Hilton is a wanna-be idiot.

[Janis]

They are not anything alike, it's just Perez trying to get face time for himself and Brittany and to continue making trouble. Take some time off Perez and get yourself together. Try being nice for a change.

[Mikey]

listen...it's a scamming and scheming kind of world out there. I don't believe these songs have very much in common at all. I do believe however, That someone is using the popularity of Carrie to build the interest and popularity of Britney to a higher level.Doing this is nothing new..Remember, even bad publicity is good publicity. And causing all of this drama will boost Britney's popularity within the music industry...Not to mention the starving eyes and ears of the public in general. As far as Perez goes...I truly believe he got a piece of the pie just for starting this controversy and has a big smile on his face as he realizes he succesfully accomplised his goal...Like shooting fish in a barrel...Right, Perez ?

[Katee]

Wow can you just say that the other unknown artist is jealous and could never catch up to Carrie she can keep dreaming

[Royalti]

they are very similar both good songs....but they're completely diffferent songs. inspired by, not plagerized.

[Cait]

The music does sound quite similar,but Carrie's voice is definitely stronger and better(always been a fan!) and the lyrics are totally different-and 'Bang' is just not as good!! Brittany's voice isn't in general. I wouldn't call it really 'singing'.

[Brit]

They are about two completely different topics, have completely different lyrics, the ONLY similarity is the BEAT which is very common. Bet you could find at least 20 songs with the same beat from the last 15 years! Carrie and writers should be sueing THEM (the company representing McDonald) for defamation of character! CRAZY if this becomes a lawsuit against Carrie it WILL NOT HOLD UP. Can you say publicity stunt on McDonald's part?!

[Roxanne]

They are nothing alike It won't hold up in court.

[tww]

not even close to being the same song. Like both of them though, and other posters are right, sounds like a Mutt Lange production.

[Elena]

First off, Perez needs to get a new job as half of what he "reports" is not true.
As far as the 2 songs, a similar chord here and there does not a rip-off make. They were individual songs and Carries was much better....never even knew the other could "sing".

[LKTmomma]

The arrangement is similar, but if there was no hype surrounding these two songs, them sounding the same would have never been mentioned. I could have heard them back to back and still not have recognized any similarities.

[Terry]

Carrie's is much better and not even close to sounding like the other. Not the same song to me.

[JLWW]

Both songs are typical Country music these days, a bland melody that is very predictable, so maybe that is why they sound the same. A lot of songs have the same sameness, nothing special about either of them, but it is NOT a rip off song. They are both blandly different enough in melody and approach , so they do not have a case . Personally I don't like either song.

[Meredith]

Well I guess the beat - but... The other song is pretty sh*tty. Rouge & Lace? Side-saddle? Hah. So not modern country, sounds like wild-west junk. Carrie's is much better. :)

Besides, even if the writers took the beat from this girl, it isn't Carrie's problem. She recorded a song she thought was honestly written by these guys... Not her fault.

I doubt they were even influenced by that girl though.

[MZotos]

I think they are different enough to sell as singles for both women. I would buy both.

[Ky]

Should'nt whoever the cowriter was be the one under fire? How was Carrie Supposed to know he met with this other girl?

Carrie's voice is classic! This girl can't hold a candle to her!!

[MIDI10]

I have been in music production for over forty years and really think this is a stretch. Almost every slow fifties song had the same four chord progression and meter yet they all had thier own personality. I actually prefer the Brittany song(it does sound like a Mutt Lange production) but they are not anywhere as close as other songs I have heard back to back..

[Barbara]

Not even close! THis Brittney gal should thank Carri Underwood for geing her song listen too, nothing like a free ride.

[Janie]

People that know music well have listened to both of these and say everything is different about them. The lyrics we know are completely different and the melody is even different. Many songs will will probably have a few notes the same so does that ever make a song the same song? Duh. This is just ridiculous. No court would ever listen to those two songs and think one was stolen from the other. It is laughable and don't know why sites print this stuff like it is news, when it is not - or I guess I could say it is made up news.

[Corrine]

No way!

[DC]

That Crazed Hits link leads to a porn site! Beware, people at work!