Sure sounds like a rip-off to me!!
YouTube - John Mayer - Heartbreak Warfare(Battle Studies Album Version)
YouTube - John Mayer - Heartbreak Warfare(Battle Studies Album Version)
Did John Mayer rip-off "Bad" with Heartbreak Warfare?
- Thread starter TonyH
- Start date
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If you have answers, please help by responding to the unanswered posts.
If you have answers, please help by responding to the unanswered posts.
BVS
Blue Crack Supplier
Tony, what part do you think sounds like a "rip-off"?
And don't say the whole thing, give me specifics.
I have to say, I'm not a Mayer fan, but this song isn't bad, but the solo at 2:26 is horrible
And don't say the whole thing, give me specifics.
I have to say, I'm not a Mayer fan, but this song isn't bad, but the solo at 2:26 is horrible
coolian2
Blue Crack Supplier
i'm going to say no.
topplehatU2
Refugee
I can hear something kinda similar but I wouldn't say it is a rip off.
Rob33
Rock n' Roll Doggie
so many people on that youtube vid claim it's a u2 rip off of some sort...I don't think he's actually ripping any particular U2 song off, but you can definitely hear the U2 influence in this song more so than most other John Mayer songs....pretty good song
I feel the same way...I've seen many comments (mostly youtube comments) saying stuff like "that solo is so tasteful"....I'm not sure what they're listening to
I have to say, I'm not a Mayer fan, but this song isn't bad, but the solo at 2:26 is horrible
I feel the same way...I've seen many comments (mostly youtube comments) saying stuff like "that solo is so tasteful"....I'm not sure what they're listening to
No, I certainly do not see a Bad rip off in the least bit here.
Remember, Mayer does not have that key element that every epic U2 song shares: pulsating, memorable performances by the rhythm section. Picture Bad w/o Larry's drums or Streets w/o Adam's bass.
Mayer is qualitatively different- his band is very good no doubt, but they are not his equals in terms of contributions/focus. The drums and bass are by definition, pushed back in the mix. U2 are a ROCK band that need all these elements combined.
So different genre, really.
However, this is probably his most U2 influenced stuff, fine by me. I think he writes classy music and is obviously very talented with the guitar. He doesn't try and pretend to be something he is not.
I probably would not pay to see him, but if the opportunity ever presented itself to date one of his 18-25 year old female fans, I would make an exception to that in a nano second!
Guys, they are a great looking group, generally speaking!!
Remember, Mayer does not have that key element that every epic U2 song shares: pulsating, memorable performances by the rhythm section. Picture Bad w/o Larry's drums or Streets w/o Adam's bass.
Mayer is qualitatively different- his band is very good no doubt, but they are not his equals in terms of contributions/focus. The drums and bass are by definition, pushed back in the mix. U2 are a ROCK band that need all these elements combined.
So different genre, really.
However, this is probably his most U2 influenced stuff, fine by me. I think he writes classy music and is obviously very talented with the guitar. He doesn't try and pretend to be something he is not.
I probably would not pay to see him, but if the opportunity ever presented itself to date one of his 18-25 year old female fans, I would make an exception to that in a nano second!
Guys, they are a great looking group, generally speaking!!
An Cat Gav
Rock n' Roll Doggie Band-aid
The opening guitar parts are certainly reminiscent of Bad, but I don't think it could be called a rip off, I don't hear any other similarities.
dan_smee
ONE love, blood, life
nowhere near as much of a rip off as Waiting on the World to Change is SIAMYCGOO
gman
New Yorker
Am gonna sit my ass firmly in the No camp on this.
dan_smee
ONE love, blood, life
Same chords and all, but this sounds more like a rip of a live version of the AIWIY riff.
Well I guess I stand corrected; it must not be a rip-off.
All I know is I was listening to the radio when the song started playing, and, at the beginning, I thought for sure someone had done some type of remix of Bad. Then I realized it was that crooked face John Mayer, and I got a little bit upset.
My Bad.
All I know is I was listening to the radio when the song started playing, and, at the beginning, I thought for sure someone had done some type of remix of Bad. Then I realized it was that crooked face John Mayer, and I got a little bit upset.
My Bad.
The_Edge89
Rock n' Roll Doggie Band-aid
Indeed.
"Rip-offs" can lead to interesting mashups, like this one:
YouTube - U2 vs. John Mayer - Waiting on a Moment (mashup)
Jeannieco
Rock n' Roll Doggie Band-aid
Parts sound like it to me too.
I think the opening melody does....try singing the first line of Bad and it fits perfectly....melody wise. I didn't notice this however until you mentioned it. Weird.
Also listening to this closer I hear the guitar chimes in the back ground towards the end that sound like Bad....
I think the opening melody does....try singing the first line of Bad and it fits perfectly....melody wise. I didn't notice this however until you mentioned it. Weird.
Also listening to this closer I hear the guitar chimes in the back ground towards the end that sound like Bad....
david
ONE love, blood, life
It's a rip off only if you want to make yourself believe it sounds like Bad.
alison0313
Refugee
Both Billboard and Rolling Stone mention it in their reviews of his album.
Billboard: He also marches into fresh stylistic terrain by sampling an anthemic U2 ambience on "Heartbreak Warfare"
RS: On "Heartbreak Warfare," Mayer delivers U2-style guitar and strained war metaphors
Billboard: He also marches into fresh stylistic terrain by sampling an anthemic U2 ambience on "Heartbreak Warfare"
RS: On "Heartbreak Warfare," Mayer delivers U2-style guitar and strained war metaphors
Earl-Of-IMDb
War Child
dont thinks so.
The John Tree
War Child
Agreed. I don't think it's a rip-off, but I do think it's very U2 influenced.
The thing with our boys is that they have such a unique sound that it's hard to be U2 influenced without sounding like a U2 ripoff. One can be influenced by Dylan without sounding just like him. But it's hard to put a U2 influence into your sound without it sounding just like them.
I guess that's why they're my favorite band.
The thing with our boys is that they have such a unique sound that it's hard to be U2 influenced without sounding like a U2 ripoff. One can be influenced by Dylan without sounding just like him. But it's hard to put a U2 influence into your sound without it sounding just like them.
I guess that's why they're my favorite band.
powerhour24
ONE love, blood, life
The guitar rhythm is strikingly reminiscent, but I wouldn't call it a complete rip-off.
GirlsAloudFan
Blue Crack Addict
Yup, the opening guitar line reminds of "Bad." But, whatever, musicians and artists take little ideas from each other all the time. Consciously or unconsciously. Not a big deal.
By the way, John Mayer is the 6th most followed person in the world on Twitter. We are fucked.
By the way, John Mayer is the 6th most followed person in the world on Twitter. We are fucked.
dan_smee
ONE love, blood, life
I mean, really, U2 dont have a monopoly on such a basic and simple chord progression.
Waiting on the World to chang is much worse as it is a reasonably original progression from edge, and it is fairly blatant when it is lifted. When a verse is just repetitions of A and D, cant really be called stealing
Waiting on the World to chang is much worse as it is a reasonably original progression from edge, and it is fairly blatant when it is lifted. When a verse is just repetitions of A and D, cant really be called stealing
LemonMelon
More 5G Than Man
Bad is like, two chords. Pretty easy to rip off A and D.
powerhour24
ONE love, blood, life
It's not the progression that's blatant, its the rhythm/style along with it.
purpleoscar
Rock n' Roll Doggie ALL ACCESS
It needs to be closer to be a rip-off though the bass sounds like Adam a little and the synthesizer loop reminds me of Edge's guitar.
It's obvious that so much has been done before that just about anything new will sound like past songs.
It's obvious that so much has been done before that just about anything new will sound like past songs.
purpleoscar
Rock n' Roll Doggie ALL ACCESS
TM
Acrobat
What a coincidence. My roommate is listening to John Mayer all day (tonight is the first concert at the Heineken Music Hall in Amsterdam) and he was playing this song while i stood in the kitchen. I didn't know he was playing 'Heartbreak Warfare so i was singing some lines of 'Bad'. 
Heh. "Bad" is not quite A and D -- but it's close. Edge rarely plays "normal" chords.
Actually, John Mayer's vocals on this track remind me a lot of Peter Gabriel's "In Your Eyes", for some reason.
Galeongirl
Galeonbroad
I dont' hear it.
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