In 2017, Lana Del Rey released her album “Lust for Life” which included the track “Get Free”. However, shortly after the release, the singer found herself in a copyright dispute, helmed by alternative rockers Radiohead. The song in question was the album closer ‘Get Free’, which Radiohead suggested bore similarities to their iconic 1992 hit ‘Creep’, taken from their debut album Pablo Honey.
This dispute garnered attention from music fans and critics, with both sides eventually reaching a settlement. In this post, we’ll dive deep into the story of Radiohead suing Lana Del Rey and the controversy surrounding these two songs.
The History of Radiohead’s “Creep”
Before we get into the dispute, it’s important to understand the story behind “Creep”. The song was released in 1992, as part of Radiohead’s debut album, “Pablo Honey”. It was not initially successful in the UK, but gained international fame when it was released in the United States the following year. “Creep” ultimately became Radiohead’s signature song, but not without controversy.
Lead singer Thom Yorke has expressed frustration with the song’s popularity and the fact that it overshadowed the rest of the band’s work. In addition, the song’s distinctive chord progression led to accusations of plagiarism. Specifically, Yusuf Islam (formerly Cat Stevens) claimed that the song copied his 1970 song “The Wind” and Albert Hammond Sr. claimed similarities to his 1972 song “The Air That I Breathe”. Both accusations were settled out of court.
Who is Lana Del Rey?
Elizabeth Woolridge Grant, known professionally as Lana Del Rey, is an American singer-songwriter. Her music has been noted by critics for its stylized cinematic quality, its preoccupation with themes of tragic romance, glamour, and melancholia, and its references to pop culture, particularly 1950s and 1960s Americana. Del Rey is considered to be one of the pioneers of the “sadcore” subgenre.
Lana has released six studio albums since 2010, all of which have been commercially successful. Her popularity stems from her unique sound, blending elements of old Hollywood glamour and modern indie pop music.
The Formation of Lana Del Rey’s “Get Free”
Lana Del Rey co-wrote “Get Free” with prolific songwriter Rick Nowels, who has worked with artists such as Dua Lipa, Madonna, and Adele. In an interview, Lana explained that the song was “interpreted” by Radiohead’s lawyers as resembling “Creep” and that they had made claims that the song incorporated elements of their earlier hit.
As per Lana, she was requested to credit Radiohead and share a significant portion of the publishing for her track. She refused to do so and the claim subsequently proceeded to court.
The Lawsuit
In February 2018, it was reported that Radiohead was suing Lana for copyright infringement and that her song “Get Free” was too similar to “Creep”. The details of the lawsuit were not made public, but it was said that Radiohead was looking for a portion of the publishing rights and damages.
In response, Lana spoke out on social media, saying that she had “offered up to 40%” of the publishing to Radiohead but had been refused. She also stated that “their lawyers have been relentless, so we will be going to court”.
The Settlement
After months of legal back-and-forth, a settlement was reached in January 2018. Details of the settlement were not disclosed, but Lana confirmed on Twitter that Radiohead had been credited as co-writers on her song.
“We’ve resolved the issue,” she wrote. “It’s true about the lawsuit. Although I know my song wasn’t inspired by Creep, Radiohead feel it was and want 100% of the publishing – I offered up to 40 over the last few months but they will only accept 100. Their lawyers have been relentless, so we will deal with it in court”.
In the end, while Radiohead may not have won everything they were seeking, they were still successful in being acknowledged as co-writers of “Get Free”.
The Aftermath
The dispute between Radiohead and Lana Del Rey sparked conversations about copyright laws and creative ownership. Many music fans and critics pointed out that while the chord progression in both songs may be similar, the melodies, lyrics, and overall compositions were distinct enough that Radiohead’s claims could be seen as overreaching.
In a broader sense, the dispute highlighted concerns about protecting intellectual property in an age where so much music is instantly available and shared on the internet. As the music industry continues to evolve, it will be important for artists, songwriters, and record labels to navigate these murky legal waters with transparency and integrity.
Conclusion
The Radiohead vs Lana Del Rey copyright dispute brought attention to the issue of creative ownership and intellectual property in the music industry. While the legal proceedings behind the lawsuit may have been frustrating for both sides, the resulting conversation about artistic inspiration, influence, and originality is a valuable one to have. In the end, it’s clear that both Radiohead and Lana Del Rey are incredibly talented artists with a unique vision, and this dispute ultimately served to highlight the importance of protecting all creators’ work.
FAQ
Why was Lana sued for Get Free?
Lana Del Rey, the American singer and songwriter, faced a copyright infringement lawsuit for her 2017 song “Get Free.” In January 2018, she announced on Twitter that Radiohead, an English rock band, was suing her for allegedly plagiarizing their 1992 hit song “Creep” in her recent release. Del Rey claimed that Radiohead asked for 100% of publishing royalties, while she offered 40%, indicating a potential legal dispute over the claim.
The dispute primarily emerged from the similarities between the chord progression of both songs. While the opening of “Creep” features the chords G-B-C-Cm, “Get Free” uses AM-C-D-Dm. However, many listeners and critics noted that both songs share a similar and distinct melancholic tone.
The lawsuit brought to light an ongoing dispute in the music industry between artists and songwriters over plagiarizing or creating music that echoes another composition’s elements, including melody, rhythm, and harmony. The legal battle between Del Rey and Radiohead ended after an agreement benefited both sides. As a result, Del Rey added Radiohead’s songwriters to the credits of “Get Free,” allowing them to receive a share of the royalties for the song.
Lana Del Rey faced a copyright infringement lawsuit for her song “Get Free” after Radiohead accused her of plagiarizing the chord progression of their hit 1992 song “Creep.” The lawsuit raised questions about the music industry’s ethical considerations and legal implications when it comes to tackling accusations of music plagiarism.
What is the ripoff song Creep?
“Creep” is a song by the English rock band Radiohead that was released as their debut single in 1992. It was included in their debut album “Pablo Honey” which was released the following year. The song gained huge commercial success and has remained one of Radiohead’s most popular songs.
However, “Creep” has been the subject of controversy due to its similarity in chord progression and melody to the 1972 song “The Air That I Breathe”, written by Albert Hammond and Mike Hazlewood. The similarities between the two songs were first noticed by Hammond and Hazlewood’s music publisher, Rondor Music, who subsequently took legal action against Radiohead.
The lawsuit claimed that the chord progression used in “Creep” was lifted directly from “The Air That I Breathe,” without permission or credit to Hammond and Hazlewood. The lawsuit was eventually settled, with Hammond and Hazlewood receiving co-writing credits for “Creep” and a percentage of the royalties.
Despite the similarities between the two songs, Radiohead has always maintained that the resemblance was unintentional. Radiohead’s guitarist, Jonny Greenwood, has claimed that the band were unaware of “The Air That I Breathe” at the time they wrote “Creep.”
While the controversy surrounding “Creep” has persisted over the years, the song remains a beloved classic and a fan favorite. It was even covered by countless artists, including Prince who performed his own rendition of the song during his headlining set at the Coachella Festival in 2008.
Who did Radiohead sue for Creep?
In the music industry, artists often face issues with plagiarism and copyright infringement. Radiohead, a popular English rock band, is no exception. In fact, they were sued for lifting elements for their hit song “Creep” from another song, “The Air That I Breathe.”
“The Air That I Breathe” was a song written by Albert Hammond and Mike Hazlewood, originally performed by the English pop group The Hollies in 1974. The Hollies version of the track had gained popularity and was widely recognized in the music industry. In 1992, Radiohead released their debut album, “Pablo Honey,” which included the song “Creep.” The song became a huge hit, but it wasn’t long until the similarities between “Creep” and “The Air That I Breathe” were noticed.
Hammond and Hazlewood filed a lawsuit against Radiohead, claiming that “Creep” had copied a significant part of “The Air That I Breathe.” The two parties eventually settled out of court and the details of the settlement were not made public.
It’s not uncommon for musical artists to face legal challenges for copyright infringement. Many songs have been found to have similarities to other artists’ works, and some have even been accused of outright plagiarism. However, it’s worth noting that in many cases, these accusations are unfounded or exaggerated.
In the case of Radiohead and “Creep,” it’s clear that the similarities to “The Air That I Breathe” were significant enough to merit legal action. While the details of the settlement were not made public, it’s likely that Radiohead and their label had to compensate Hammond and Hazlewood for the unauthorized use of their work.
The case of Radiohead and “Creep” serves as a reminder of the importance of respecting copyright laws and giving credit where it’s due in the music industry.
How did Lana’s unreleased songs get out?
In 2019, it was reported that Lana Del Rey had an unfortunate experience of having her unreleased songs leaked online. The situation was a nightmare for the artist as she faced a massive violation of her privacy and authenticity. During an interview, Lana revealed that she doesn’t use “any cloud systems” but someone was able to remotely access her phone when she had accessed her laptop. This led to the theft of her unreleased music and some “personal photos.”
The stolen unreleased songs were a big deal as some of them were supposed to be a part of her upcoming studio album. It was a matter of great distress as the songs were likely to be heard by millions of people, and Lana was keen to keep them unreleased until the official album release. She was left in horror and agony by the experience of knowing that her music was illegally stolen and made available to a wider audience without her consent.
The intrusion was a breach of her privacy; however, she confirmed that the situation is now under control. Despite this, Lana remains a victim of the digital world where piracy is a common threat to artists’ intellectual property. Nevertheless, she has continued to make great music, and her fans continue to support her through her musical journey. Hopefully, the situation serves as a warning to others and artists take the necessary precautionary measures to secure their work, whether it be music or any other form of intellectual property.
How much money did Lana Del Rey donate?
Lana Del Rey, the popular singer and songwriter, recently made headlines for her philanthropic efforts as she donated a significant amount of money to help provide clean water to the Navajo Nation. The sum of money she donated was $350,000, which she revealed to her fans on social media.
The donation was an advance payment that she had received for her latest book, “Violet Bent Backwards Over the Grass,” which is a collection of poetry and was released in September 2020. The Navajo Water Project, which is a non-profit organization that focuses on providing clean water to the Navajo Nation, received the donation from Lana Del Rey.
The Navajo Nation is the largest Native American tribe in the United States and spans across Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah. They have been grappling with a severe water crisis for years and have been struggling to access clean water. The situation has only worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic, where access to clean water is critical for maintaining basic hygiene and preventing the spread of the virus.
Lana Del Rey’s donation has been applauded by many, including the Navajo Nation, who expressed their gratitude for her support in a statement. They stated that her donation would go a long way in ensuring that many families in their community have access to clean water.
Lana Del Rey’s donation of $350,000 to the Navajo Nation is a significant contribution towards addressing the water crisis that the community has been facing. Her generosity has set an example for others to follow, and it is heartening to witness celebrities using their platform to make a positive impact on society.
Why is Lana Del Rey’s account private?
Lana Del Rey is a famous American singer-songwriter who has gained a massive following over the years. Her career in music has been nothing short of successful, with multiple hits and a loyal fanbase always anticipating her next release. However, her online presence has been met with some attention and confusion as to why she made her account private.
According to various sources, the reason why Lana Del Rey’s account is private is based on her desire to control her online presence. She has taken social media breaks in the past, and in 2021, she deactivated her profiles entirely. Since then, she has returned with a private account, where access is only granted to those who she approves.
The singer has previously mentioned in interviews that she doesn’t want to share everything that she deems as not going according to plan. In an interview with the Los Angeles Times in 2019, she said, “I do a lot of personal writing that I don’t necessarily like to share with anybody. It’s not that I don’t trust people, just there are certain things that do not finish themselves, that don’t have that clarity and conclusiveness that I like.” This statement hints that she wants to protect her privacy and only share what she wants to.
Lana Del Rey’s account being private enables her to scrutinize those who follow her. Still, it also allows her the freedom to post what she wants without necessarily feeling obligated to share every aspect of her life with millions of followers. Social media has become an integral part of the music industry and a great marketing tool, but it can also have detrimental effects on the artist’s mental health. With her private account, Lana Del Rey can take time away from the spotlight and enjoy the peace and quiet that comes with not being in the public eye always.
While some may argue that having a private account can hinder an artist’s online presence, Lana Del Rey has a loyal fan base that will continue to support her, regardless. She has mentioned that she wants to control her online presence and protect her privacy, and it’s a choice that should be respected. After all, she deserves the same protection and privacy as any other individual, even if she is a famous musician.
