Singer argues that sounds are common in the pop industry
PA – Ed Sheeran testified in a New York court where he denied allegations that his shot Think out loud plagiarized the classic soul song by Marvin Gaye (1939-1984) Let’s do it.
Sheeran, 32, was subpoenaed to testify Tuesday at r civil action moved by the heritage of Ed Townsend, who co-wrote the classic 1973 soul song with Gaye. Townsend’s family accused the British star of infringing on their copyrights, claiming their 2014 hit had “remarkable similarities” and “obvious commonalities” with Gaye’s popular song.
Sheeran, in a dark suit and tie, insisted that he invented his music himself. His testimony was controversial at times, as he argued during cross-examination with plaintiff’s attorney, Keisha Rice. Responding to the video played in court showing the musician mixing the two songs on stage, Sheeran said it was “pretty simple to put the two songs together” which are in the same key.
“I’d be an idiot to get on stage in front of 20,000 people and do that,” he said. Sheeran accused of copying songs.
Earlier in the day, a solicitor from the Townsend estate, Ben Crumphe told the judging panel that merging the two songs amounted to “a confession”.
“We’ve got a smoking gun,” he said of the concert footage showing Sheeran switching from song to song. Crump said the case is about “giving credit where it’s due.”
The singer’s lawyer Ilene Farkas, insisted that Sheeran and a co-writer, Amy Wadge, write their music independently and not plagiarize Townsend and Gaye’s material. He said that “they created this heartfelt song without copying it Let’s do it“.
The chord progressions and note ranges in Sheeran’s music are used “frequently and did not first appear in Let’s do it‘ his lawyer said.
Let’s do it has been heard in countless movies and commercials and played millions of times since it was released in 1973.
Think out loud won the Gram song of the year in 2016. The lawsuit was filed in 2017. The trial is expected to take up to two weeks. Townsend, who also wrote the 1958 hit For your love, he was a singer, songwriter and lawyer. He died in 2003.
Kathryn Townsend Griffin, his daughter, is the actor. “I think Mr. Sheeran is a great artist with a great future,” she said in her affidavit, adding that he didn’t want to get to that point in the case. “But I have to protect my father’s legacy.”
Source: Terra
Earl Johnson is a music writer at Gossipify, known for his in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the industry. A graduate of USC with a degree in Music, he brings years of experience and passion to his writing. He covers the latest releases and trends, always on the lookout for the next big thing in music.
