John Lennon steals from Chuck Berry

[KobraPartyGhoul]

HA only John was a huge fan of Chuck Berry. He was influenced, he didnt steal, he gives props as far as saying Berry influenced him as a young kid.

[pmoyer50]

Classical composers have done the same thing. Berry was great and Lennon was greater.

[domen27]

It's more 'influence',than stealing,anyway that's rock n roll

[keaton1895]

Plagiarizism is natural to history. All through history people borrow something from somebody else to create something else. That also applies to music. George got sued for stealing which was bs.

[alanlenin]

bueno y si se la robo o no ... que chingados?? los dos son dioses del RnR!!! asi que no esten cn sus mamadassss!!

[doug5759]

Dude. Everyone stole from Berry, and Berry stole from Muddy and Son House and Robert Johnson, and Willie Dixon, and life goes on. get real.

[MezzMcGillicuddy1]

Yeah, John Lennon steals from Chuck Berry and Chuck Berry steals from T-Bone Walker. So what? Cant we just be thankful for the great music of the world? Isnt music supposed to enrich our lives, and unite people? Why do some people feel the need to divide people? There are true injustices happening in this world right now in the present day, and we waste our energy on nitpicking about MUSIC?

[Retromantra]

Chucks guitar licks were mostly lifted from the playing of his pianist Johnnie Johnstone.

[cakecowla]

ignorant

[SpiderPDG]

he play's this songs to tribute chuck if you doesn't know they were friends look in the internet their dual performance

[MCullenHightopp]

Not that I think John really STOLE it, but you can really hear the likeness of the two songs if you listen to John's cover of You Can't Catch Me (from the album Rock 'n' Roll)! :P

[SITHPEPE08]

WHAT AN ASSHOLE!!!!!

[hamidfan]

chuck berry is the real king of Rock´n roll

[MsDimplecheeks]

The beatles like Elvis stole from black people! White media acts like there was nothing b4 Elvis N the Bealtes came along. Fucktards.

[iamobeliskquake]

@MsDimplecheeks Ray Parker Jr. was black and he stole from Huey Lewis who was white

[theaco66]

hey men dont fight oke...we stiil enjoy the music event it was berry or lennon...right ??? so come on men...

[MrDavo863]

every artist is cannibal,every poet is a thief;

BONO

[zettadom]

I head an interview where the interviewer mentioned a riff Chuck "invented" Chuck modestly told him he had taken the riff from a Johnny Otis record. Chuck did plenty of this "borrowing" as have all major songwriters. There's a difference between out and out stealing and crafting songs using similar cadences, rhythms and chord patterns. Hacks will do note by note stealing, geniuses like Berry and Lennon make songs sound original and unique even if similar to other songs.

[zer0dahero]

Dodlev is ignorant. Its ok being ignorant, it points out what you need to learn. Everyone knows the Beatles modeled themselves after American soul/country music. They were even critizised by the Brits for "singing American" All the british bands way back then were doing American soul/country music. From the Beatles to the rolling stones to zeppelin. look up a vid here called "Jimmy Page 1957" Every one knows all those guys copied the American soul and country music, you didn't? How ignorant.

[spijkerzt]

i think Chuck gave him permission ;)

[otuposlob]

Well people, if you read about this issue, you'll see that there was a legal trouble because of the similarity of both songs. They say that Lennon had to pay (thats why there was no trial) and he was forced to record a cover of this Berry's song in the next Lennon's album in 1975.

[NoHealerJustPain]

Above all this is rock'n'roll )

[chilango7259]

I think that it was the musical influence more than anything else... lennon is my alter ego...

[SuperBeibersucks]

maybe this would matter if the Beatles and Chuck Berry weren't great freinds

[magiorey]

Most people here are talking from ther affection for Lennon and ignorance. Berry sued Lennon over Come Together and WON the lawsuit, it was determined that Lennon's use of the melodic contour and the lines taken from You Can't Catch Me was involuntary plagiarism but plagiarism nonetheless. As part of the settlement Lennon agreed to record an album covering classic rock and roll songs - this became Lennons Rock and Roll album. His last before Double Fantasy 5 years later.

[babystinky]

@magiorey

it was the publisher that sued i believe. but the songs are clearly different enough. its not like what zeppelin did. they stole stuff that was obvious.

[subg88]

@magiorey

Berry didn't sue him, the publisher who owned Berry's music sued Lennon. The publishers are the ones who really stole from these guys.

Lennon was actually guilty of blatant theft when he renamed King Kong by Frank Zappa and called it a Lennon/Ono composition "Jamrag". Zappa's band was even playing it! I think Lennon was just clueless in this case, thinking it was improv he could get away with claiming as his own when it was in fact an actual composition, but still very shady.

[magiorey]

@subg88 Thanks, that was very informative

[dbguitar100]

john and chuck were good friends, lennon intended them songs to sound similar, he used the lines in berrys favour. Also the beatles covered berry (on purpose, not to 'steal) a lot. but i say well done for noticing and although you missinterpurted, i think people need to cut you a bit of slack dude. :)

[iibaan]

tu todo pendejo

[youcansuckmylittleto]

Everybody emulates their heroes. Everybody "Steals" what appeals to them. Painters, actors, musicians. It's a goal, an accomplishment, like your idiotic revalation, and pathetic need to point a finger at somebody that has actually done something that you are incapable of doing. It's been done before! Your observation and opinion is worthless.



[DonRMB]

STOLE is too harsh. They do sound alike as far as Chord progression and melody go also the line ¨Here come old flat top¨. But again, Is just HOMAGE is NOT stealing. Wanna talk about stealing music?... See: LED ZEPPELIN

[rareu4532]

Dumbest i ever heard on youtube!!! hahaha Beatles diden't stol anything they creat everything them self. You idiot

[Hobott]

@rareu4532 sorry, but I heard with my own ears George Michael saying: "The Beatles have stolen a lot from many other musicians..." It was in an interview- doc. movie. Maybe he's an idiot too? And before you start bashing me, I hurry to say- I'm a die hard beatles fan too.

[WRETCHEDAVION]

COMPOSERS Live-by The-Rule THART If-It's 'Not'-OBVIOUS ... &-If-Someone-Else Makes-it-'Better' Then-It-Yours so-to-Speak .... THIS 'Should'-Have-Been The-ANSWER for "I"-Come-From The-Land Down-Under & The-KOOKABURRA-Song so-to-Speak!!! >(*~*)<

[clipboardcrotch]

Everyone steals from Chuck. Innovators are often pilfered.

[MAGICO240]

Lennon recognized this plagiarism.

[MsDimplecheeks]

They stole yes they did!

[SYLBM]

you're an idiot. lennon was a genius. stop trying to feel smart by discrediting a genius. the songs don't sound alike at all.

[inkey2]

@SYLBM Plagiarism is plagiarism whether intentional or not....whether he did it on purpose or by accident even if he was just purposley paying tribute to "you can't catch me". He had to pay up for this song. Same deal with George Harrison but this song of Lennons is far more blatant

[thedawnband1]

pfffffffffffffffffffffffffffff­ffffffffffffffffffffffffffffff­fffffffffff with you Comment

[cartman1492]

If Lennon stole it he did it way better. "Come Together" is a much cooler song than "You Can't Catch Me".

In fact, Lennon said he was influenced by Chuck Berry constantly. Lennon was trying to do something "like" Chuck Berry but the song is in no why a copy. Composers have been doing this for centuries. Would you have it differently? Is Chuck Berry to be the only person that can do a song like this?

[mridenine]

This is a contender for stupidest video on youtube. Lennon made overt musical references to Chuck throughout his career and acknowledged this vocally all the time. To think this is controversial or a new thing worthy of a video is to display your absolute ignorance of the complexity of and myriad of references made within Lennon's canon. And for the record, Chuck didn't sue Lennon, the gangster record producer who owned the song did, and that guy ended up out of pocket in the end.

[upserify]

the beat may have some similarities but both songs are original

[upserify]

the beat may have some similarities but both songs are original

[SeeGuitarRun]

Lennon had to pay Berry royalties.  How is that stealing?

[theprodigalson1975]

Lyrically speaking, Berry's 'You Can't Catch Me' is amazing...used to have the lyrics framed in my room. For Lennon to 'Steal' some from Berry was easy to do...a lot of artist do this...they write based on what they may be listening to at the time and subconsciously use some it but it's not an intentional theft...Heck look at Petty and The Red Hot Chilly Peppers.

[rollingstopp]

listen folks everybody took from players just like myself did dad do does definately--follow your welcome

[historiadorderock]

Chuck Berrry "stold" from the sounds of country and jazz, The BEatles "stold" from Chuck Berry, The Stones "stold" from Rhythm and Blues, The Searchers "stold" from The Beatles, The Kinks "stold from Link Wray, The Ronnettes "stold" from The Shangri Las, The Who "stold" from The Kinks, The Ramones "stold" from The Beach Boys, Oasis "stold" from The Beatles, Nirvana "stold" from Black Sabbath. NAWWW MAN I DISAGREE IT'S NOT STEALING IT'S BEING INFLUENCED BY THE ARTIST THEY ADMIRED :) PEACE

[jovialduke]

there's no such thing as stealing in rock and blues. they both descend from folk music, which is inherently based around 'borrowing' from other artists. it assures that the music never dies.

[doug666doug]

Good artists borrow, great artists steal.

[educate1self]

Youtube, the place where youre guaranteed to find stunted intelligence.......in natural abundance.

I wont even start on whats wrong with the premise of this video and some of the comments. It would be easier getting through to a lump of wood.

[ackymantastic]

ANY one who has an ear can hear the strong similarities...anyone who CAN'T is deaf

[lalalalala5151]

this is the most TENUOUS link I have ever seen. There are blues artists that use the exact same rhythms, and would keep the same pace, its how genres of music start. However this is pretty lame.

[HUMORLAND]

What are you drinking man !!!

No similarities at all !!!

[neverindoubt]

John Lennon LOVED Chuck Berry, and Chuck liked him too. Chuck was John's idol, and maybe Chuck even admired John a little bit too.

Calling it "stealing" is stupid.

[weatherman1331]

how can anyone move on in life if u listen to this hocus pocus bollicks ! by the way babe i like the way you say i love you .is it ok to to say the same?

[WiltatKansas]

And the Beach Boys also stole Surfin the USa from Chuck Berry, that was a big shame

[TheSnapperfish]

this is not the same thing at all, berry did influence john its not the same thing at all

[kink56]

Chuck Berry' publisher sued John over Come Together, the settlement was that John was to record an album that featured heavily songs that that publisher owned, which included a few Chuck Berry tunes. The album was first bootlegged by said publisher under the name

Roots" and later offically released as

"Rock n Roll"

[nilsk9]

Well, here is something we can all agree about: If Lennon had not sung the words "here come old flat top", this would never be an issue, and Berrys label would never have sued him (despite the rythmic similarities) Just think about it.

Now, am I wrong? Hardly..

[Aizzat]

if you'd ever written songs, you would find out there are hints of your influences found in your songs after you've recorded it; where you didnt even notice it when youre in the process of writing it.

It's forgivable. It's innovative sound from the older rock n roll legend.

[themtb2003]

@kiko You do not "pay tribute" to another artists by Playing his music and not paying him....You know what, I want to "pay tribute" to you by using your Social security number, let me have the number so I can profit from your credit kiko. I am a beatles fan, But I am starting to see the beatles are pretty much the monkies. Protected an created by the industry of th backs of OTHER PEOPLE PLAYING ON THE TRACKS and OTHERS WRITING and them stealing it.

[KingMellow11]

I don't look at it at stealing. John Lennon loved Chuck Berry so much, Chuck was a major influence to John. I think this was John's way of giving respect to Chuck. John did say " If you were to give Rock & Roll another name, you could call it Chuck Berry". and he is sooooo right.

[NeverAloneForever]

@KingMellow11 Chuck Berry invented it, right? Well, maybe Bo Didley.

[zapspace]

Lennon admitted this from the beginning ...

[MsDimplecheeks]

Just like Elvis the Beatles stole from original BLACK pioneers of Rock N Roll music. You never see black get the credit they deserve becuase the music industry is racist as hell...

[NeverAloneForever]

@MsDimplecheeks Yeah, you do. Well, nowadays. In fact, as of now it's mostly white folk musicians that haven't got their royalties from the mighty Zepp.

[Ruffdogg21]

it happened countless times back then but it just the way it is

[ClassicRocker679]

What he did was work off the song. Paul McCartney said it sounded exactly like the Chuck Berry song so he added a slow bass sound. in fact, I listened to Lennon's cover of Chuck's song and sung the beginning of Come Together.

[sugardaddy815]

Sure, there are some similarities between the two melodies, but they are two completely different songs!!

The bass riff, "boogie" that accompanies the verse, keyboard part and guitar solo are what make "Come Together" great... all of which were created by the Beatles.

[enferno00]

This is not so much stealing because i would think that would include the entire lyrics to the song.

[gordonbennet]

john's cant catch me cover shows that the melody for come together is definately based on chuck's song, just a slowed down version.

[joeainscough]

i reckon it was more of a nod to Chuck Berry rather than Lennon just robbing it

let's be honest, it's not like Lennon wasn't creative enough or intelligent to come up with his own stuff

probably Lennon aknowledging his influences not stealing ideas

[sincronel]

you cant steal from a friend

[jasonriggs]

They already settled this lawsuit, and that is why Lennon performed on Salute to Sir Lew and did some Berry covers on his Rock N Roll album.

[gibbo909]

fuck chuck berry, lennon ledgend

[kiko55]

you're an idiot, lennon and the beatles covered berry more than any other artist. he didn't steal it, he acknowledged that he was paying tribute. berry was lenon's idol, along with buddy holly.

[JOROSS2]

@kiko55 Some people can't tell the difference between making love and rape.

[gettyman1]

@kiko55 right and the publisher was trying to sue over the line nothing else

[gettyman1]

@kiko55 really there's no need to get upset I know what your saying

[jeminijem1]

@kiko55

No Lennon, had to pay Chuck after Chuck threatened to sue. Lennon made the mistake of saying publicly where he stole it from.

[jackiechampion]

@jeminijem1 I just have to correct you because so many people have heard this story inaccurately. Chuck Berry DID NOT sue John Lennon. Morris Levy, the man whose company owned the publishing rights on the song, sued John Lennon. Chuck was not involved.

[junaid1]

@kiko55 I was gonna write a comment but you said it better than I ever could. Thanks! 100% right!

[johncashrocks221]

@kiko55 Lennon was a great artist of music, but he chopped up this great song pretty bad

[DODOLEV]

Again: we're talking about "Come Together" (track N1 from The Beatles' original album Abbey Road). It sounds like Chuck Berry's hit. Pay attention :)

[gettyman1]

not in the least John just used the ole Flat top line damn don't you morons ever give up Then you use a version John did live intending to sound like Come together lololo morons

[NeverAloneForever]

@gettyman1 The vocal melody is used in the song. Not instrumentally. DODOLEV should have made a slower version of "You Can't Catch Me". John acknowledged tribute. Morris Levy once said John's use of the melody and lyric were permitted as long as John would cover a Chuck Berry song. Truth . . . Chuck's lawyer was a wild dog.

[gettyman1]

@NeverAloneForever it was only the line here come ole flat top he come grooving up slowly, they settled out of court when John agreed to cover some Chuck Berry tunes.

[NeverAloneForever]

@gettyman1 I know that. However, I meant the lines in particular are also sung in the same melody. That's it. I think Paul wrote the music.

[gettyman1]

@NeverAloneForever no it's 100% John's tune and I don't here the same melody at all, as I remember reading about it the only argument the lawyers had were the lyrics.

[NeverAloneForever]

@gettyman1 I think there's a communication breakdown (or a nervous breakdown) here. I mean the way it's sung. 0:53 {Yeah-come up flaptop--he would (pause) move it up with me-then come (pause) waving goodbye and a little old . . . } You don't hear that? If you do then you would notice how John sings it the same way . . . in select parts. Chuck's lawyer went after him for the melody of the select lyrics though not the music. Come to think about it borrowing lyrics wouldn't be enough for a case.

[greatlakesflix]

@NeverAloneForever no I don't hear it that way, they sound nothing alike, and it wasn't Chuck's lawyers but the publishers, maybe there wouldn't have been a case we'll never know as John agreed to record some of one of his idols songs to end the case.

[NeverAloneForever]

@greatlakesflix I don't think you get it. It's not necessarily the same melody. The phrases are just sung in the same way . . . and what I meant by that was that the lyrics that were sampled were also "phrased" the same way. That's why I put in a pause when I typed the lyrics for you. Capisce?

NOW! That was unfair that he was forced to record a cover . . . but I'm sure John was happy to play one of his idols songs.

[greatlakesflix]

@NeverAloneForever I know what your saying it's just I don't hear it the same you do,

[NeverAloneForever]

@greatlakesflix It's a bit of a story but I should have said this. My dad grew up in the 50's and 60's and he told me when I was younger that John almost got sued for his song "Come Together" and why he needed to play one of Chuck's songs to avoid it. My dad played me the music and I told him that I heard the lyric but the speed Chuck was playing at made it hard for me to hear the vocal similarities. So my dad played it slower.

I find it very noticable now.

[greatlakesflix]

@NeverAloneForever if you slow down the Chuck Berry lines it's changing the tune.

[NeverAloneForever]

@greatlakesflix I wouldn't say that. It's the same tune. John just plays it at a slower tempo.

[gettyman1]

@NeverAloneForever it's not the same tune at all the notes, the chords, the melody all different John just used those words nothing more,

[NeverAloneForever]

@gettyman1 This is the killer. I never said they had the same notes or chords. It is a different tune. I'll try one more time. 0:53 Chuck sings a line then jumps his vocals with "He got" or "He would" then pause and sing another line, jump his vocals with another two words and then pause . . . I think you could possibly understand that. In the beginning of each verse you can clearly hear John enunciating it the same way. John said Rock 'n' Roll is Chuck Berry so . . . no surprise.

[gettyman1]

@NeverAloneForever I know what your saying but you can't copyright a pause. 

[NeverAloneForever]

@gettyman1 This is where you have to stop. Stop being dense. You're really going to erroneously conclude that it's the pause. WTF? I just typed pause because it's a part of thevocal delivery. Please, shut the fuck up about the fucking pause. A'ight. It's just the way that it's sung. Same way. Get over it. FIN.

P.S. If you really can't understand this then you never will. . . . . . .shit . . .

[dos12000]

this album also includes Bill Halley's Rip it up, Gene Vincent's Be-Bop-A-Lu-La, Fat Domino's Ain't That A Shame, Ben E. King's Stand By Me, and some other rock and roll hits, do you think this is stealing? of course not man, he's paying tribute to all this great rock and roll stars

[Yamsha81]

rip it up is not from bill haley

[dos12000]

look for the Lennon's album rock and roll, he didn't steal anything, he was just honored the people he used to admire (Chuck Berry was one of them just as the same Elvis)

[giodamon]

John's "Rock n Roll" album was a collection of covers that gave complete credit to the original artists.

[SpriterPik]

John's version of "You can't catch me" was a cover, He didn't steal the song.

[TackyRackyComixNEO]

I wouldn't say that it's stealing. More often than not, artists will include a line or two from a song by a particular artist they idolize (or at least are fans of). As for the rhythm, they're both twelve bar blues, which is one of the most used rhythms in rock music. Plus, Lennon wouldn't really need to steal from others--he was creative enough on his own to come up with something original and unheard of.

Personally, I enjoy and respect both Chuck and John.