Radiohit from Radiohead sparks two lawsuits, ultimately played by Prince due to disfavor initially expressed by its creators.
Radiohead's "Creep": A Song of Copyright Controversies and Rock Music History
The iconic song "Creep" by British rock band Radiohead has been a staple in the music industry since its release in 1992. However, its journey has been marked by legal disputes and copyright controversies, most notably with the song "The Air That I Breathe" by Albert Hammond and Mike Hazlewood, famously performed by The Hollies.
Shortly after Radiohead released "Creep", the publishers of "The Air That I Breathe" filed a lawsuit claiming significant similarities. Despite not denying the resemblance, Radiohead admitted the influence openly. As a result, Hammond and Hazlewood were granted songwriting credits and a share of the royalties. Interestingly, they took only a small percentage out of admiration for Radiohead's honesty.
More recently, Radiohead themselves initiated legal action against Lana Del Rey, claiming she plagiarized "Creep" in her 2017 track "Get Free". This shows an inversion of roles, with Radiohead defending the song’s original melody they had previously admitted was borrowed, seeking to protect their own rights when others used similar elements.
The history of these legal disputes is notable because Radiohead took a transparent stance, which led to a relatively amicable resolution initially, but also set a precedent for their later protective action regarding "Creep." The core controversy highlights the fine line between inspiration and infringement in songwriting, especially when similar chord progressions and melodies occur.
| Year | Party Filed Lawsuit | Reason | Outcome | |-----------|------------------------------|--------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------| | 1993-94 | Rondor Music (Hammond/Hazlewood) | Copyright infringement due to similarity between "Creep" and "The Air That I Breathe" | Hammond and Hazlewood credited and given royalties; partial settlement due to honesty from Radiohead | | 2017 | Radiohead | Alleged plagiarism by Lana Del Rey ("Get Free" similar to "Creep") | Ongoing or settled; Radiohead sought credit and royalties |
The Making of "Creep"
Written by Thom Yorke before the group formed, during his time at the University of Exeter in the late 1980s, "Creep" was initially unsuccessful in the UK but became an international hit due to heavy rotation on Israeli and American rock radio. It was recorded during the sessions for Radiohead's debut album "Pablo Honey" at Chipping Norton Recording Studios.
Jonny Greenwood's guitar part, which includes a herculean amount of gain just before the chorus, creating a counter melody during the pre-chorus, played a significant role in the song's success. His distorted contributions, according to Ed O'Brien, effectively "made the song."
The song has a similar self-deprecating 'slacker' feel to Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit" and Beck's "Loser," making it a perfect anthem for disenfranchised youth and playing a crucial part in Radiohead's rise.
Prince's Tribute to "Creep"
Notable moments include Prince's tribute to "Creep" at Coachella 2008, where he sang his own version of the song. Despite his representatives ensuring it was kept off streaming services after the performance, it remains a testament to the song's enduring influence.
References 1. The Guardian 2. Rolling Stone 3. NME
- The legal case filed by Rondor Music in 1993-94 showcased the ongoing debate over the fine line between inspiration and infringement in songwriting, with the iconic song "Creep" by Radiohead being accused of copying the chord progressions and melody of "The Air That I Breathe" by Albert Hammond and Mike Hazlewood.
- Despite Radiohead's own initiation of legal action against Lana Del Rey in 2017 for allegedly plagiarizing "Creep" in her track "Get Free", the history of copyright disputes related to the song has highlighted Radiohead's transparency and their eventual protective action, setting a precedent for the complexities in defending originality within the realm of entertainment.
