Def Leppard thinking of suing One Direction

Boris2008 wrote:

Orion Crystal Ice wrote:

WTF? Are they kidding? Sounds like their song how? Go sue every fourth-rate sleaze band who also had/have the *guitar stab* *snare hit* trick in the chorus. Dorks.

This! And since when was anything that Def Leppard has ever done in any way original? I'm pretty sure if you took a microscope to their back catalogue, there are dozens of bands who could sue them, but they probably wouldn't have the financial muscle to do it.

I'm sorry, but when you hear a "new" song and want to sing the lyrics to one of the most popular songs of all time, it's a pretty blatant theft. One doesn't need to "take a microscope" to this song.

Eyesore wrote:

The last Leppard album was really good.

It was embarrassing to listen to. I thought X was better and that album wasn't even that good.

I can't decide which song is worse...

Phoenix Reign Drummer wrote:

Eyesore wrote:

The last Leppard album was really good.

It was embarrassing to listen to. I thought X was better and that album wasn't even that good.

It blows X away, man.

Similar, and a lame/lazy move by the song's wrtiers, but to my ears it isn't close enough to sue, but what do I know?   

Looks like it's not going to happen anyway. From http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/5847711/def-leppard-denies-itll-take-legal-action-against-one-direction-for-similar:

"Despite a previous report, according to Billboard, Def Leppard will not be taking legal action against pop group One Direction for plagiarism.

While guitarist Phil Collen says One Direction’s Midnight Memories and Def Leppard’s Pour Some Sugar On Me are 'very similar in structure,' but otherwise, are not alike.

Adds guitarist Vivian Campbell, 'The chords are one-four-five. Those are the blues. You don’t get more basic than that. I think what’s more reminiscent of the Leppard thing is the production, the sound, the vocals, the reverb and the way it’s assembled. That is very flattering that all of a sudden these kids think it’s a cool sound. I think a lot of people of their generation aren’t going to connect their music to ours.'"

"I think a lot of people of their generation aren’t going to connect their music to ours.'"

If DL still played that kind of music, maybe they would, and then they could have a suit.   

tohostudios wrote:

chewie wrote:

I've heard this one as bumper music to a show that I listen to. It's not hard to hear WHO they ripped off here on the intro:




They could have a few lawsuits aimed at them if other artists wanted to sue them. But like MG says, it might just be changed enough to avoid one.

Yeah, of all the One Direction ripoffs I think that one is the most obvious.  They also have a song that's a pretty blatant ripoff of The Clash's Should I Stay Or Should I Go.

When asked about it Pete Townshend said he wouldn't sue because he stole it from someone else too.

Just for gits & shiggles, I brought this topic up over the holidays to my 16-year old niece who is a huge One Direction fan. She knew of Def Leppard, but didn't know the song 'Pour Some Sugar on Me'.

Pfft. Kids.