Did Lady Antebellum Plagiarize The Alan Parsons Project?

File this one under “Scandals involving musicians I don’t care about.” I may not be a fan of Lady Antebellum nor a particular devotee of The Alan Parsons Project, but I do love catching musicians in the act of improper acts — particularly in regards to intellectual property. Turns out that Lady Antebellum’s big hit, “Need You Now,” may have been ripped off from the ’80s hit “Eye In The Sky” by The Alan Parsons Project. One person went so far as to mash up both songs (see above video) for comparison. It’s hard to tell if this was intentional theft or just a coincidental quirk from the realm of boring music, but either way, the similarities are striking.

See also Coldplay vs. Joe Satriani and NIckelback vs. itself.

13 replies on “Did Lady Antebellum Plagiarize The Alan Parsons Project?”

  1. I’d like to tender my vote in the “coincidental quirk from the realm of boring music” column.

    1. I second Kelly’s vote. There’s a passing resemblance, but that’s it.
      Plus, the dude from Lady Antebellum is a fox and he can plagiarize me all night long.

  2. Since I abhor all country music, I would have never known this if you hadn’t brought it to my attention. So, I blame you for making me listen. It’s all your fault.

  3. This is as close as “He’s So Fine” and “My Sweet Lord.” George Harrison was sued for big bucks, even it was “subconscious.” Alan should probably sue.

  4. WOW. I love APP. And when I first heard LA I thought it was a 10. Now I know “why”. I already liked the structure. Total rip. No doubt none. It may not be on purpose, but subconscious, still, time to PAY UP LA. APP wrote this melody and royalties are the answer.

  5. Come on, there are only 12 notes in the chromatic language. Put enough monkeys in front of a typewriter… Well, you know the rest.

  6. As soon as someone mentioned to me it was similar to an ALan ParsonsProject song, I knew exactly which one they meant….and for 12 notes in the chromatic language, people have been stringing them along differently for decades!

  7. it is obviouslly a copy what saddens me is that this song and album was recognized with a grammy parsons has been in the buisness for decades as a recognized and respected studio engineer, now to be fair this has been going on for years early rap music always had a recognized pop musical track to it only the lyrics were different and for those old enough to remember hooked on classics where classical music was put to a rock beat, i think an acknowledgement by lady on the album to parsons and the late eric woolfson would be enough its only fair that the orginal composers get recognized for” thy’re work”

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