14 Songs That 'Rip Off' Classical Music
David Bennett Piano・10 minutes read
Various popular songs like Maroon 5's "Memories" draw inspiration from classical pieces like Johann Pachelbel's "Canon in D," benefiting from their public domain status and avoiding legal issues. Artists like Elvis Presley, Radiohead, The Beatles, and Procol Harum have also incorporated classical melodies into their music, showcasing the ongoing influence of classical composers on contemporary pop music.
Insights
- Maroon 5's "Memories" draws inspiration from Johann Pachelbel's "Canon in D," sharing the same chord progression and a simplified melody, showcasing the influence of classical music on contemporary pop.
- The public domain status of classical compositions like "Canon in D," "Plaisir d'amour," and "Prelude in E Minor" has allowed modern artists like Maroon 5, Elvis Presley, and Radiohead to incorporate these timeless melodies without facing legal challenges, highlighting the significance of copyright expiration in music creation.
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Recent questions
What is the connection between Maroon 5's "Memories" and Johann Pachelbel's "Canon in D"?
Both songs share chord progression and melody similarities.
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Summary
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Influential Songs Inspired by Classical Music
- Many have noticed similarities between Maroon 5's "Memories" and Johann Pachelbel's "Canon in D."
- Both songs share the same chord progression, with "Memories" having a melody resembling a simplified version of "Canon."
- Maroon 5 won't face legal issues for using "Canon" as it's in the public domain due to copyright expiration after 70 years post-composer's death.
- "Canon in D" has been a foundation for various pop songs, given its public domain status.
- Elvis Presley's "Can't Help Falling in Love" is based on Jean-Paul Martini's "Plaisir d'amour," with modifications to the melody.
- Radiohead's "Exit Music" shows inspiration from Chopin's "Prelude in E Minor," which was in the public domain by then.
- The Beatles' "Because" was influenced by Beethoven's "Moonlight Sonata," although the chord progression isn't played backward.
- Procol Harum's "A Whiter Shade of Pale" draws from Bach's "Air on a G String," both starting with the same descending chord progression.
- Eric Carmen's "All by Myself" and "Never Gonna Fall in Love Again" are based on Rachmaninoff's works, leading to royalty payments due to copyright issues.
