Top Songs Accused of Copying

When the news broke that Miley Cyrus’ hit song “Flowers” was under scrutiny for similarities to Bruno Mars’ “When I Was Your Man,” it reignited the conversation around plagiarism and copyright infringement in the music industry. This isn’t the first time a No. 1 song has faced such accusations, so let’s take a closer look at five instances when chart-topping hits were called out for allegedly copying other songs.

One of the most recent cases involved Olivia Rodrigo’s smash hit “good 4 u,” which climbed to the top of the Hot 100 chart in 2021. However, the success of this song was not without controversy, as many listeners pointed out similarities to Paramore’s “Misery Business.” In response to the claims, Olivia opted to give writing credits to Paramore’s Hayley Williams and Josh Farro, acknowledging the inspiration behind her track.

Olivia Rodrigo, known for her album “Sour,” had previously faced plagiarism accusations for her song “Déjà Vu.” In a candid moment, she admitted that the bridge of “Déjà Vu” was influenced by Taylor Swift’s “Cruel Summer.” This transparency about her creative process shed light on the fine line between inspiration and imitation in the music industry.

Lizzo also found herself at the center of plagiarism claims with her hit single “Truth Hurts,” which reached the No. 1 spot on the Hot 100 chart in September 2019. Despite its success, the song faced allegations of borrowing the opening lyrics from two different sources, sparking a debate on originality and artistic integrity.

These cases remind us that even chart-topping songs are not immune to accusations of plagiarism, raising questions about the blurred boundaries of creativity in music. As listeners, it’s essential to recognize and respect the creative efforts of artists while also holding them accountable for ethical practices in songwriting.

Next time you find yourself humming along to a No. 1 hit, take a moment to appreciate the artistry behind the music and consider the complex process of creating original work in a sea of endless inspiration.