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Rock Court, Small Claims Division: Led Zeppelin v. Franz Ferdinand

Dw. Dunphy February 5, 2010 14

All rise.

The rules of this courtroom are simple. You will be presented with two songs, one by the plaintiff and one by the defendant. It is your task to decide if the defendant’s track is only coincidentally similar to the plaintiffs or, as members of the Bar Association put it, they done screwed the pooch right thar. You have been duly instructed.

Today’s docket: Led Zeppelin, plaintiffs vs. Franz Ferdinand, defendant

Led Zeppelin – Trampled Underfoot from Physical Graffiti (1975)

It’s all about the riffing in the hedgerow, in case you don’t know. The piper says you’re a filthy crook!

Franz Ferdinand – Take Me Out from Franz Ferdinand (2004)

Oh, I’m sorry. Willie Dixon just called. He said he’d like the majority of his work returned to him, thank you. It’s not a rip-off of you anyway. If anyone should be pissed off, it should be the Doobie Brothers after you clearly ripped “Long Train Running”!

Who got trampled here?

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POSTED IN » Music, Rock Court
About the author: Dw. Dunphy View all posts by
Dw. Dunphy is a writer, artist, musician, bon vivant, n'er do well, but neither a president nor client of the Hair Club for Men. He resides in New Jersey with his decades-old neuroses and debt.You can follow him at Facebook, Twitter, or hit him up on Google+. Or just hit him. Really hard. With bats. Until he asks for you to stop, but don't stop. If you stop, an angel doesn't get its wings.

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  • http://twitter.com/PaulJanisch PaulJanisch

    Not that Zeppelin didn't pinch very liberally from almost everybody without crediting them. Dazed and Confused, Babe I'm going to leave you, When the levee breaks, The Lemon Song and poor old Willie's You need love (Whole lotta love)

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  • Paul

    I don't see Franz Ferdinand clearly ripping off the Zeppelin tune. I mean, I can see the similarities, but I don't see a clear ripoff.

  • dolph

    No crime here — just boogie.

  • http://twitter.com/AdamExport Adam Export

    The only person anyone should steal from is Chuck Berry. In fact, it's encouraged.

  • David_E

    On behalf of Mike Love, I'm going to sue them all.

  • http://www.popdose.com DwDunphy

    You know what I think about Mike Love?

  • MarkoP

    Don't think Fran Ferdinand ripped off Led Zepplin.

    Now whether or not Finger Eleven ripped off Franz Ferdinand for “Paralyzer”, that's another story.

  • JB

    No rip off by FF. Sorry for the long post but check these out:
    From All Experts site:
    “”Babe I'm Gonna Leave You” – A folk song by Anne Bredon, this was originally credited as “traditional, arranged by Jimmy Page,” then “words and music by Jimmy Page,” and then, following legal action, “Bredon/Page/Plant.”
    “Black Mountain Side” – uncredited version of a traditional folk tune previously recorded by Bert Jansch.
    “Bring It On Home” – the first section is an uncredited cover of the Willie Dixon tune (as performed by the imposter Sonny Boy Williamson).
    “Communication Breakdown” – apparently derived from Eddie Cochran's “Nervous Breakdown.”
    “Custard Pie” – uncredited cover of Bukka White's “Shake 'Em On Down,” with lyrics from Sleepy John Estes's “Drop Down Daddy.”
    “Dazed And Confused” – uncredited cover of the Jake Holmes song (see The Above Ground Sound Of Jake Holmes).
    “Hats Off To (Roy) Harper” – uncredited version of Bukka White's “Shake 'Em On Down.”
    “How Many More Times” – Part one is an uncredited cover of the Howlin' Wolf song (available on numerous compilations). Part two is an uncredited cover of Albert King's “The Hunter.”
    “In My Time Of Dying” – uncredited cover of the traditional song (as heard on Bob Dylan's debut).
    “The Lemon Song” – uncredited cover of Howlin' Wolf's “Killing Floor” – Wolf's publisher sued Zeppelin in the early 70's and settled out of court.
    “Moby Dick” – written and first recorded by Sleepy John Estes under the title “The Girl I Love,” and later covered by Bobby Parker.
    “Nobody's Fault But Mine” – uncredited cover of the Blind Willie Johnson blues.
    “Since I've Been Lovin' You” – lyrics are the same as Moby Grape's “Never,” though the music isn't similar.
    “Stairway To Heaven” – the main guitar line is apparently from “Taurus” by Spirit.
    “White Summer” – uncredited cover of Davey Graham's “She Moved Through The Fair.”
    ” Whole Lotta Love” – lyrics are from the Willie Dixon blues “You Need Love.”

    and check this:http://www.associatedcontent.com/video/26428/led_zeppelin_rip_off_artists_.html?cat=33

  • http://www.bullz-eye.com DavidMedsker

    Wow, listening to “Taurus” on YouTube. Definite similarity.

  • jamesballenger

    So what you are saying is that Rock and Roll is derivative of Blues classics?

  • http://jackfear.blogspot.com Jack Feerick

    M MIND, SHE IS BLOWN

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