Bringing Elton Back

Elton John, "Madman across the Water"
Justin Timberlake, "What Goes Around"

I'd say this is one of the more subtle ripoffs, but the more I listen, the more I hear it. Elton is worthy of ripping off, and Justin made a better choice than what you'd expect from the Mouseketeer. But all in all, I still think music might be the weakest of Justin's talents. I just don't get the music from him. He's funny. He can dance. And he's got that charisma that just makes people forgive him for whatever shlock he puts on a record . . . as opposed to Sir Elton who gets away with everything about himself because his music is that good.

Anyway, check out the ripoff and see what you think.

25 or Brain Stew

Chicago, "25 or 6 to 4"
Green Day, "Brain Stew"

I think the similarities between these two songs vanishes after about 13 seconds, but for those first 13 seconds the songs swing in sweet sonic symbiotism. Chicago and Green Day, together at last. You wouldn't think Green Day would rip off jazz rock for a grunge punk riff, but maybe the two bands have more in common than I realized. You be the judge.

Stand by Those Beautiful Girls

Ben E. King, "Stand by Me"
Sean Kingston, "Beautiful Girls"

David Archuleta exposed this one for me, although my brother has apparently been offended by this ripoff transgression for quite some time. My brother's right. This ripoff is so egregious, someone should be punished . . . I recommend Archuleta, just because. Sampling is common, and I have no problem with it. But this isn't the sampling of a hook in the song. Kingston just recorded his song directly over the musical track of King's song. It's the musical equivalent of eating an entire 5-gallon bucket of Baskin Robbins with one of those little pink spoons. Heck, you could sing "Beautiful Girls" at a Karaoke Bar just by asking for "Stand by Me." This is the worst ripoff since Vanilla Ice denied any link to "Under Pressure" . . . I'm just ashamed it took me so long to notice it.

The Price Is Blind

"Price Is Right Theme"
Stevie Wonder, "Do I Do"

I have a pretty good feeling that Bob Barker was doing his thing before Stevie Wonder was Do I Doing his, but it's painful to think the musical genius that is Stevie Wonder would rip off a syndicated gameshow. Nevertheless, there was ripping going on, for sure.

Dylan vs. Diamond

Wallflowers, "Sleepwalker"
Neil Diamond, "Solitary Man"

With all the Neil Diamond - Bob Dylan comparisons I've been making, I can't believe it took me this long to post this musical ripoff, which is not my original observation, but an old carpool mate. Enjoy.

Mayer vs. Cooke

John Mayer, "I'm Gonna Find Another You"
Sam Cooke, "You Send Me"

John Mayer slowed it down a little bit, but check it out . . . total ripoff. Or spinoff. But, as I've said before, ripoff is so scintillating and scandalous, it's yummy.

Elton John vs. Counting Crows

Elton John, "Daniel"
Counting Crows, "Holiday in Spain"

This is one of those that is a long way from ripoff status . . . heavy influence at best, and I'm just taking a guess. But I like the guess. And as Heavy Musical Influences isn't nearly as scintillating as calling it a ripoff, I'm calling it a ripoff. Elton John's "Daniel," to me seems like it may have served as a musical inspiration for the Counting Crows' "Holiday in Spain." For the sake of argument, I'll say that Elton is singing from the point of view of the one left behind, and Adam is the one doing the leaving. Check it out and tell me what you think. See a link there? For what it's worth, I love both songs, so I hold the Crows to the musical ripoff flames with the highest respect.