Ed Sheeran accused of copying Marvin Gaye’s song by music expert in high-profile court case
Musician Ed Sheeran has been accused by Dr Alexander Stewart, a music expert called by the plaintiffs in a high-profile copyright trial of copying the classic Marvin Gaye song “Let’s Get It On” in his smash hit single “Thinking Out Loud.
The expert who testified on April 26 about the similarities he perceives in aspects of the two songs, said that the chord progression in the two songs “sounds very, very similar” to him.
The heirs of Ed Townsend, who co-wrote the 1973 hit with Gaye, are the plaintiffs in the “Thinking Out Loud” case.
Townsend’s daughter Kathryn Townsend Griffin, sister Helen McDonald, and the estate of his former wife, Cherrigale Townsend, are the listed plaintiffs. Gaye died in 1984 and Townsend died in 2003.
Stewart testified that the two songs “have the same harmonic rhythm,” referring to the rate of change of the chords. In particular, he sees melodic similarities in the verse, chorus, and interlude of Sheeran’s “Thinking Out Loud.”
CNN reports that during the cross-examination of Stewart by Sheeran’s attorney, Townsend Griffin’s eyes shut, and her legs failed, as she had to be carried out of the courtroom. The judge called court security officers and nurses, and Townsend Griffin was taken to the hospital.
Sheeran’s legal team argued that the sounds used in both songs are common in pop music.
Sheeran himself was called to the stand by Townsend attorney Keisha Rice, and during his testimony, he denied copying “Let’s Get It On.”
He also said that the idea of creating the medley of his song and Gaye’s song was “probably mine.”
Ed Sheeran and Gaye’s court case brings to mind the pending copyright lawsuit between Obrafour and Drake which has dominated headlines over a week as it remains to be seen how the legal proceedings will play out.
The outcome of the lawsuit will likely have implications for both artists and the wider music industry.
It will also serve as a reminder to all artists of the importance of obtaining proper clearance before using any copyrighted material.
Source- 3news.com
