So who is copying who?

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Eliv8

Eliv8

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I have noticed a few posts lately where people have accused bands of ripping off or copying U2. I like U2 because they are completely original. Antics like filming promotional footage from a rooftop causing police intervention (1), releasing an album with a cover which some may consider ‘child porn’ (2), using a huge arch for their stage show (3), recording a song called ‘Gloria’ (4) and filming a video while driving around a city on the back of a flatbed truck (5) make them the unique band they are today.






In truth, let’s give credit where credit is due …

(1) The Beatles 1969
(2) Led Zeppelin 1973 (Houses Of The Holy)
(3) Pink Floyd 1994 (Delicate Sound Of Thunder Tour)
(4) Gloria was doo-wop song written by Leon René in the 1940s. Covered by Manahatten Transfer 1975 (amongst others) & a different version was released by Van Morrison 1966
(5) Dokken 1989 (Its Not Love)




Oh yea, and lets not forget

Vertigo.jpg





.
 
Oh wow, besides the whole Beatles thing the rest of those are a huge stretch.

You might as well blame the second guy for picking up the guitar as imitating the first guy, or blaming the Beatles for imitating marching bands because they wore matching outfits, similarites don't always = imitating or copying. We're all influenced by history, no one escapes that.
 
Eliv8 said:
I have noticed a few posts lately where people have accused bands of ripping off or copying U2. I like U2 because they are completely original. Antics like filming promotional footage from a rooftop causing police intervention (1), releasing an album with a cover which some may consider ‘child porn’ (2), using a huge arch for their stage show (3), recording a song called ‘Gloria’ (4) and filming a video while driving around a city on the back of a flatbed truck (5) make them the unique band they are today.

.
Click to expand...

There's a huge difference in U2 using subtle references from the past, and blatantly copying. It blows my mind, for example, that the first two releases videos from Coldplay's new album are obviously calculated copies of U2's latest work. That's just strange, and speaks volumes of the band, in my opinion. They set the derivative meter on fire, and seemingly could care less.

What's the big deal? I sometimes ask that myself...but I think it's an issue with the positioning of Coldplay as the 'next great band' when that mantle is not deserved, in my opinion. There's also a domino effect where Coldplay's massive album sales spark media interest in copycat bands, and that just leads to watered down crap without the spark of originality.

I like artists who challenge the status quo and push forward into new territory - that's what U2 are all about. Although, I want U2 to push a bit more musically, they've earned the right to be where they are now. Nobody can argue that the current tour is not challenging intellectually, or that HTDAAB doesn't have some of the most globally relevant and personal lyrics of the band's career to date.

Coldplay had their chance with this record to be different...but they blew a tire along the way and retreated into safe mode....:yawn:

:rant: I think it's coffee time :wink:
 
Eliv8 said:
recording a song called ‘Gloria’ (4)
Click to expand...

I would have to take issue with this one in particular. Since the songs in question sound nothing alike, it's a little hard to make a case for copying or imitating just because the songs have the same name. That's like saying if you have two guys named Bob, one must be less original than the other because they have the same name.:|
 
I'd suffer through another carbon copy Coldplay album before I'd EVER listen to another Killers album. And that's saying something, because I despise Coldplay. But, at least the 'Play don't dress like they came through some sort of 1980s time tunnel. They're rip-offs, but they're not the poseurs that The Killers are.

Speaking of Coldplay, I nearly laughed my ass off upon first hearing "Speed of Sound". It's almost exactly the same song as "Clocks". I wonder how many times they'll be able to sell the same cattle the same bill of goods? Meanwhile, a truly great band like Jeff Tweedy's Wilco - well, you can't hear 'em on the radio.
 
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Re: Re: So who is copying who?

Shaliz said:


I would have to take issue with this one in particular. Since the songs in question sound nothing alike, it's a little hard to make a case for copying or imitating just because the songs have the same name. That's like saying if you have two guys named Bob, one must be less original than the other because they have the same name.:|
Click to expand...

No he was right because Laura Branigan copied U2 by also recording Gloria:laugh:
 
Eliv8 said:
I have noticed a few posts lately where people have accused bands of ripping off or copying U2. I like U2 because they are completely original. Antics like filming promotional footage from a rooftop causing police intervention (1), releasing an album with a cover which some may consider ‘child porn’ (2), using a huge arch for their stage show (3), recording a song called ‘Gloria’ (4) and filming a video while driving around a city on the back of a flatbed truck (5) make them the unique band they are today.






In truth, let’s give credit where credit is due …

(1) The Beatles 1969
(2) Led Zeppelin 1973 (Houses Of The Holy)
(3) Pink Floyd 1994 (Delicate Sound Of Thunder Tour)
(4) Gloria was doo-wop song written by Leon René in the 1940s. Covered by Manahatten Transfer 1975 (amongst others) & a different version was released by Van Morrison 1966
(5) Dokken 1989 (Its Not Love)




Oh yea, and lets not forget

Vertigo.jpg





.
Click to expand...

Well, I liked your post, because it is very true. It's kind of pitiful that so many people seem to think that if U2 does something it's completely original, but if anyone else does something it's a blatant U2 ripoff. :rolleyes: No one is completely original.

(as for the filming a video while driving around a city on the back of a flatbed truck -- The Church did that in 1986 for "Columbus." I have no doubt they weren't the first though.)
 
Re: Re: So who is copying who?

It's about the DEGREE of originality. I prefer my art to be inspired, and not a poofy, flaky, vaccuous, cocky, hitching-a-ride-like-a-barnacle, surprise-in the-cat-litter copy.

Disregard that last one...I get too excited about this stuff....:wink:
 
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Palace_Hero said:
The Killers are better than U2 today based on each band's last album.

Thought I'd throw that nut in there.
Click to expand...

I don't like that nut! But I do agree that the Killers are great, and in my opinion, they and the Arcade Fir have unlimited potential, ala U2.
 
Palace_Hero said:
The Killers are better than U2 today based on each band's last album.

Thought I'd throw that nut in there.
Click to expand...

:lmao:

The Killers are utter shit. The band responsible for the worst line in history can't even compete with U2.
 
Axver said:


:lmao:

The Killers are utter shit. The band responsible for the worst line in history can't even compete with U2.
Click to expand...

Would that be the 'soldier' line?:wink:

Maybe I'm just a fan of elegantly wasted vocals and ironic detachment....they're no U2, that's for sure, but there's something compelling about their aura....it's a complete 180 turn from Coldplay, a band that tries too hard to be liked.
 
Eliv8 said:
recording a song called ‘Gloria’ (4) and filming a video while driving around a city on the back of a flatbed truck

(4) Gloria was doo-wop song written by Leon René in the 1940s. Covered by Manahatten Transfer 1975 (amongst others) & a different version was released by Van Morrison 1966
Click to expand...

The others you may have a point, but not #4.

Bono is using the term Gloria, in its Latin form, which means, "Glory to God". The "inte Domine," I've never heard that phrase in a doo wop song. Latin was around long before the 1940's.
 
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Palace_Hero said:
The Killers are better than U2 today based on each band's last album.
Click to expand...

The credibility you had was pretty much almost none, but now it stands in the negative range.

The Killers couldn't write a lyric if faced by true killers and their sound is completely derivative of derivative artist before them.
 
Flat bed truck - ripped off lock, stock and smokin' barrel from AC/DC "It's a Long way to the top", early 1970's.

AND Acca Dacca had Scottish bagpipes. U2, beat that!!!:rockon:
 
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