What song/composition sounds like another artist?

Hodu/Howard,

I disagree on the Arcade Fire. Certainly "Keep the Car Running" follows the same chord progression as Eddie and the Cruiser's "On the Dark Side." But the songs are substantially different in almost every other way (as I'm sure almost anyone's ears can detect upon a cursory listening).

Further, there are approximately 8 bajillion-zillion songs that follow similar chord progressions as predecessors which are still accepted as unique.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5pidokakU4I&feature=player_embedded

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4ALd-Top2A

I could link more videos showing how multitudes of songs from all different genres are at their core the same progression, but in their composition ultimately different. It is musical illiteracy to accuse songs of forgery because they use the same progression/meter. If that is the case, then I'm afraid every song made after the 1900s or maybe even earlier (apart from extremely experimental dissonant stuff, although that's probably all used up too) is a forgery! Heck, much of Led Zeppelin and the Rolling Stones is cribbed from the Blues.

I suppose it gets down to how we define what makes a song a song and from there what makes one unique.

No offense intended, Howard. I hope I made my case without crossing any lines.

-Brian

Howard,

Hyperbole, figurative nature notwithstanding, is nevertheless based on an actual opinion. I disagreed not with your "poetic license" but with the un-embellished core, the basis of your evaluation. I assume that's still allowed.

Relax, Howard. I understood your post perfectly. I simply did not agree with your assessment and indeed the premise of the accusations which are sure to exist among many folk when discussing a topic such as this. I made my case and aside from defending myself from a rather scurrilous assault, I'm all done raining on your rant parade.

-Brian