Can I copy your homework? The fine line between homage and plagiarism

MUSICObsession Confessions
Written By Jack Roberts
 

Imitation can be considered the sincerest form of flattery, but when does imitation turn to copying? With Olivia Rodrigo recently in the spotlight, we question when paying homage becomes outright plagiarism.

When OLIVIA RODRIGO released her debut album, Sour, earlier this year, it became the breakout Gen-Z had been waiting for. At 18, Rodrigo’s lyrics struck a chord with themes focusing on the trials and tribulations of the teenage heart. However for some, Sour was all too familiar… in more ways than one. With each new single and video, fans noticed stark similarities between Rodrigo’s work and that of the artists she has named as her influences. And while it’s no secret that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, it begs the question: where do you draw the line between homage and plagiarism?

Rodrigo has been treading the fine line between inspiration and copy since the album’s release. TikTok mash-ups splicing good 4 u and PARAMORE’S Misery Business were only one such example highlighting the music’s similarities. It was no wonder millennials were obsessed with it, we’d heard it in 2007! While this resulted in some retroactive credits being given to Hayley Williams and Josh Farro, it didn’t stop there. Rodrigo’s most recent video for brutal drew comparisons to RINA SAWAYAMA’S XS, from the faux shopping network she’s flogging her water on right down to the colours, styling and filming sequences (bearing in mind this was directed not by Rodrigo but rather by famed director, PETRA COLLINS).

When the promotional photos for the Sour Prom were released, they bore a striking resemblance to Hole’s iconic album cover for Live Through This. Of course, a teen beauty queen with mascara running down her cheeks makes sense for an album with Sour’s themes. But Hole frontwoman, COURTNEY LOVE, was quick to swoop in and, never one to be trodden on, expressed her disdain for the recreation, calling it “poor form” and “rude”. Knowing Courtney, Olivia got off lightly on this one…

However, the problem comes from differentiating who wants to reference, and who wants to capitalise from riding someone else’s coattails. When Robin Thicke and PHARRELL WILLIAMS released Blurred Lines way back in 2013, it was an instant hit (2013 was a different time). Was it because of the nude models dancing in the video, Pharrell’s golden-touch production that was everywhere back then, or was it because the entire melody was a carbon copy of Marvin Gaye’s 1977 hit, Got To Give It Up? Despite protesting that they only wanted to reference the vibe of Gaye’s song, the legal battle raged on for two years and resulted in over $5 million in damages and a posthumous song writing credit to Gaye and his estate. Sound familiar?

Something Courtney Love did acknowledge in her critique of Rodrigo however, was that this was a common occurrence among musicians. When used sparingly and given appropriate credit, paying homage to your heroes shouldn’t come at the expense of your artistic integrity. It’s only natural we want to pay tribute to our peers and the people who inspire us. This is especially the case when you’re a teenager and still crafting your own identity. As Rodrigo’s career continues to thrive, she undoubtedly wants to reference the musicians, films and other pop-culture icons that motivated her to pen her debut under the restrictions of lockdown in the first place. So is Sour a loving homage to the artists who influenced Rodrigo’s art, or a copy and paste to generate sales and attention? Let us know if we’re reaching.

 
 
 

OMG. Okay, so these are my OBSESSION CONFESSIONS. I know, maybe it’s a little embarrassing, but come on… Surely I can’t be the only one? This series is about all the things that we can’t take our eyes off, the latest viral TikTok trends, the secret infatuations with certain former boyband members…okay I’m only going to say this one more time, surely I can’t be the only one?

Jack Roberts

Jack Roberts (25) is a short boi who writes short films and short stories with words in Aesthetica, Brum Live, The Indiependent and his own site, VINYLBOI. With lockdown doing nothing to stop him buying even more vinyl, his collection is beginning to tower over him. Yet, he continues to add to his ever-growing backlog.

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