In February 1971, a few months after the single’s release, Harrison was accused of plagiarism by Bright Tunes Music Corporation.
Launched in 1970, My sweet Lord it became one of the biggest hits of his solo career. George Harrison. The song was the first single by a former Beatle to reach the top of the charts in the United States and the United Kingdom, which established the guitarist as a solo artist global. However, behind his success, the success was the target of a long and controversial legal battle that shaped Harrison’s trajectory and raised debates about musical originality.
In February 1971, a few months after the single’s release, Harrison was accused of plagiarism by Bright Tunes Music Corporationwho held the rights He looks so goodrecorded by the group The Chiffons in 1963. The lawsuit stated that My sweet Lord bore significant similarities to the melody of He looks so good. During his trial in the United States, Harrison admitted knowing the song, but stated that his inspiration was the gospel song. Oh happy day.
After years of dispute, a court ruled in 1976 that Harrison was guilty of “subconscious plagiarism” and recognized that he had not intentionally copied the melody, but that the similarities could not be ignored. The initial compensation of $1.5 million was reduced to $587,000 due to the involvement of Allen KleinHarrison’s former manager, who tried to manipulate the situation by buying the rights Bright melodies.
As the case dragged on – with its final proceedings not concluding until 1998 – Harrison publicly reflected on the impact of the controversy. THE Rolling Stonespoke of the difficulties in continuing to compose:
It’s hard to start writing again after going through all this. Even today, when I turn on the radio, every song I hear sounds like something else.
However, in 1976, The Chiffons released a cover of My sweet Lordtaking advantage of the notoriety of the case. Despite this, Harrison highlighted the positive impact of the song, stating that it saved many lives, especially those of people in situations of addiction.
In his autobiography, the musician regretted not having changed notes that could have avoided the problem:
I wasn’t aware of the resemblance. [A música] it was improvised, but I know the reason it was composed goes far beyond the legal issue.
Additionally, the song was re-released in 2002 as a tribute following Harrison’s death.
Source: Terra
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