Swedish rockers The Hives are set to be sued for alleged plagiarism by Los Angeles-based songwriter Jason Shapiro.
Shapiro claims his song Why You? - recorded by The Roofies in 1997 then again by Three Way in 2002 - was copied by The Hives on their 2007 single Tick Tick Boom,
Shapiro claims that Tick Tick Boom uses a vocal melody and riff from his song. He also consulted a musicologist before deciding to sue.
"He [the musicologist] said the part in question - the main riff and vocal melody - was very similar and its uniqueness led him to believe it wasn't just a coincidence," he told the LA Times. "He also runs it through a background test seeing if any charts from previous songs are close and we were clear on that front."
"I don't feel great about suing a band I love" Jason Shapiro
Shapiro added: "I absolutely love The Hives and don't feel great about suing a band I love. But I also feel credit is due where it is due if you borrow a riff."
Make your own mind up by listening:
Jason Shapiro And The Roofies - Why You?
The Hives - Tick Tick Boom
Of course, songs sounding the same is not a new phenomena.
But is the case of Tick Tick Boom ready to explode in court?
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“There’s three of us playing guitar in Foo Fighters… A lot of tone details can get lost, which is what drew me to the Cleaver – that P-90 cut”: Chris Shiflett on how he found his weapon of choice with his Fender Cleaver Telecaster Deluxe
“People have used it as their wedding song. I often think, ‘Hey, did you listen to the lyrics?’”: The classic number one hit with a sting in its tail
