One of the most popular songs of the decade, “Uptown Funk” by Mark Ronson featuring Bruno Mars, has often been a topic of debate among music fans. The song is known for its catchy beat, funky bassline and catchy lyrics – but is it a remix or not? In this blog post, we will explore the origins of the song and settle this long-standing question.
The Creation of Uptown Funk
“Uptown Funk” was written and produced by Mark Ronson, a British DJ, musician and producer, with vocals provided by American singer Bruno Mars. The song was released on November 10, 2014, as the lead single from Ronson’s fourth studio album, “Uptown Special”.
Ronson has described the song as a tribute to the Minneapolis sound of the 1980s, an era known for its funk and R&B-influenced pop music. In an interview with Rolling Stone, Ronson said, “It felt like it was almost impossible to do something that had a groove like that and was that catchy, but didn’t sound like anything that had come before it.”
The Controversy
Despite its massive success, “Uptown Funk” has faced a bit of controversy regarding whether or not it’s a remix or an original song. The debate began when it was discovered that the song’s opening guitar riff was strikingly similar to the opening riff from “More Bounce to the Ounce” by Zapp, a funk band from the late 1970s.
The similarities didn’t end there. Listeners also noticed that “Uptown Funk” bears a striking resemblance to other funk classics, including “Jungle Boogie” by Kool & The Gang and “Funky Stuff” by Kool & The Gang’s Robert “Kool” Bell.
Some people claim that “Uptown Funk” is a remix because it heavily samples so many classic funk songs, while others argue that it’s an original song because of the way it weaves those samples together in a new and unique way.
The Sample Controversy
To properly understand whether “Uptown Funk” is a remix or not, it is important to know what sampling is. Sampling is the practice of taking a specific section of one song (the “sample”) and using it as part of a new song. Sampling is, in essence, a way of borrowing from a previous work in order to create something new.
Sampling has been a part of music since the early days of hip-hop in the 1970s, and it is now a common practice in a wide variety of genres. The legality of sampling, however, is a murky issue. Because samples are borrowed from other songs, it’s important for artists to obtain permission from the original copyright holder before using a sample in their work.
In the case of “Uptown Funk,” Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars used a number of samples from older songs, including “More Bounce to the Ounce” by Zapp, “Funky Stuff” by Kool & The Gang, and “Jungle Boogie” by Kool & The Gang.
The Verdict
So, now that we’ve explored the controversy, what is the verdict? Is “Uptown Funk” a remix or an original song?
The answer is both. “Uptown Funk” is an original song because it takes the samples from those classic funk songs and weaves them together in a completely new and unique way. While the song may borrow heavily from other works, it is still a new creation that stands on its own.
However, it’s also fair to say that “Uptown Funk” is a remix in the sense that it is made up of pieces from other songs. The difference lies in how those samples are used and how they come together to create something new.
Conclusion
In conclusion, “Uptown Funk” is neither a remix nor an original song – it is both. It takes elements from classic funk songs and combines them in a new and fresh way to create a song that has become one of the catchiest and most popular tunes of the decade. Regardless of whether you consider it a remix or not, there’s no denying the impact that “Uptown Funk” has had on the music world.
FAQ
What is Uptown Funk a copy of?
“Uptown Funk” is a song by British producer and musician Mark Ronson featuring American singer and songwriter Bruno Mars. The song was released in November 2014 and quickly became a chart-topping hit, receiving critical acclaim for its catchy beats and lyrics. However, the song has also faced criticism for allegedly being a copy of the 1979 song “I Don’t Believe You Want to Get Up and Dance (Oops Upside Your Head)” by American funk band the Gap Band.
In fact, there have been legal battles surrounding the alleged similarities between the two songs. In 2017, the heirs of the late musician and Gap Band member Robert Wilson sued Sony Music, Ronson, and Mars, claiming that “Uptown Funk” infringed on the copyright of “Oops Upside Your Head.” The lawsuit alleges that BMG, a music publishing company, breached a contract that entitled the heirs to part of the composition copyright in “Uptown Funk,” which incorporates elements of “Oops Upside Your Head.”
According to the lawsuit, “Uptown Funk” uses a combination of elements from “Oops Upside Your Head,” including the song’s opening guitar riff, the use of horns, bass, and percussion, and the chorus’s repetitive vocal melody. The plaintiffs also argued that the lyrics of the two songs share similarities, particularly in the use of the phrase “Don’t believe me, just watch,” which appears in “Uptown Funk” and is similar in meaning to a similar phrase in “Oops Upside Your Head.”
While the lawsuit was eventually settled out of court in 2018, with the terms undisclosed, the controversy surrounding “Uptown Funk” and its alleged similarities to “Oops Upside Your Head” continues to spark debate among music fans and experts. Some argue that “Uptown Funk” is a clear example of musical plagiarism, while others suggest that it is simply an homage to the classic funk music of the 1970s.
Regardless of one’s opinion on the matter, the complex legal battles surrounding “Uptown Funk” and its alleged copying of “Oops Upside Your Head” underscores the importance of copyright law and the challenges of creating original music in an era where virtually every melody and beat has already been heard and recorded.
Which movie used Uptown Funk song?
The song “Uptown Funk” was used in the movie “Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip.” The movie is a 2015 American live-action/computer-animated musical comedy film, which is the fourth installment in the Alvin and the Chipmunks film series. The movie tells the story of Alvin, Simon, and Theodore who believe that their adoptive father, Dave, is going to propose to his girlfriend in Miami and dump them. Therefore, they set out on a road trip to Miami to stop the proposal and save their family.
The song “Uptown Funk” was originally released by Mark Ronson featuring Bruno Mars in 2014. It became a popular hit and received multiple awards and nominations, including a Grammy Award for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance. The song features a groovy and funky beat that is perfect for getting people dancing and singing along.
In the movie, “Uptown Funk” is sung by the Chipmunks themselves as they perform it at a music contest in Miami. The scene features the Chipmunks in their signature high-pitched voices and energetic dance moves, all while singing the catchy tune. The use of the song in the movie added to its popularity and gave it a new audience among both Chipmunks fans and music lovers.
“Uptown Funk” was a perfect addition to the soundtrack of “Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip.” Its fun and upbeat tune was in line with the movie’s overall theme of love, friendship, and family. Its use also added to the movie’s success, as it became the fourth-highest-grossing film in the Alvin and the Chipmunks franchise.
What song does uptown by Drake sample?
“Uptown” is a song by Canadian rapper Drake, featuring vocals from fellow rapper Bun B and R&B singer Lil Wayne. The track was released as a part of Drake’s debut studio album “Thank Me Later” in 2010.
The instrumental of “Uptown” heavily samples the beat and melody of “Uptown” by Bun B and Lil Wayne, which was released in 2007 as a part of Bun B’s album “II Trill”. However, the original source of the sample goes even further back in time, as “Uptown” by Bun B and Lil Wayne itself sampled piano and synthesizer riffs from the popular hit song “Uptown Girl” by Billy Joel, which was released in 1983.
In “Uptown” by Drake, the sample of “Uptown” by Bun B and Lil Wayne is used as the main instrumental throughout the track, with added drums, bass, and other elements to create a fuller sound. Bun B and Lil Wayne’s verses from their original song are also included in “Uptown” by Drake, and Lil Wayne adds a new verse before the final chorus.
The use of samples from older songs is a common practice in hip hop, as it allows artists to create new music while paying homage to the old classics that inspired them. In the case of “Uptown” by Drake, the sampling of “Uptown” by Bun B and Lil Wayne adds a layer of intertextuality to the song, as it references not only the original sample from “Uptown Girl” by Billy Joel, but also the hip hop culture and history that Bun B and Lil Wayne represent.
The samples and production in “Uptown” by Drake make for a catchy and memorable track that showcases the artist’s skill and creativity in blending old and new sounds.
