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Sounds Like Teen Spirit Hits Major Chord with Music Fans
New Book Examines the Line Between Creative Influence and Copycats
New Jersey, [April 8, 2008]— Have you ever turned on the radio to listen to the newest rock and roll hit, only to be reminded of your favorite Beatle’s tune? Music lovers everywhere will be fascinated by Sounds Like Teen Spirit: Stolen Melodies, Ripped-Off Riffs, and the Secret History of Rock and Roll. In this fun, fact-filled jam session of a book, pop music writer Timothy English has combined well-known cases of music “copycats”
Sounds Like Teen Spirit provides readers with little-known details of more publicized accusations of music plagiarism, including one directed at the beloved band Pearl Jam after fans noticed the similarities between the song “Given to Fly” and Led Zeppelin’s classic “Goin’ to California.”
Besides more well-known cases, the author draws a convincing argument for less reported parallels between hit songs also. “While many people are aware that ex-Beatle George Harrison was sued by the publishers of the Chiffon’s Oldie “He’s So Fine” over his song, “My Sweet Lord,” not many know that U2’s “Beautiful Day” shares part of its melody with an A-ha hit from the eighties, ” says English. “In addition, John Lennon’s classic “Imagine” may have been inspired by a novelty record his dad recorded to cash in on his son’s fame.”
An entire chapter is devoted to the music of the Beatles, the musicians who influenced them, and the work of artists they in turn influenced. Sounds Like Teen Spirit also examines the close relationships between many rock and folk musicians in the mid-1960’s and draws strong conclusions about influences that led to sameness in songs such as The Byrds “The Bells of of Rhymney” and The Beatles “If I Ever Needed Someone.” By comparing without necessarily passing judgment, English explores the factors that have created an strain of melodic monotony running throughout pop music history.
Whether the musical vignettes within Sounds Like Teen Spirit are well-known or obscure, they are a fascinating, compelling look at not only the stunning resemblances between our favorite hit songs, but the inevitable inter-relationship of musicians and the synchronicity of music creation itself. More than an exciting read for music lovers everywhere, Sounds Like Teen Spirit is sure to be the truest reference for any discussion of songs that sound perhaps just a little too much alike.
About the Author
Tim English has written about rock music for nearly thirty years. Sounds Like
Teen Spirit is the product of many years of listening and research. He is a frequent writer on topics concerning pop music, and his work has appeared in Upstage Magazine, a publication that provides coverage of the music scene in New York City and New Jersey.
