Gretchen Wilson Charged with Copyright Infringement
July 31, 2008 by Heather
The Black Crowes are claiming one of Gretchen Wilson’s songs, “Work Hard, Play Harder,” which is being used by the TNT television network in ads for the television show Saving Grace but has not been released as a single, is based on their 1991 hit “Jealous Again” from their debut album “Shake Your Money Maker.”
The Black Crowes’ attorneys have served copyright infringement notices to Wilson, Sony BMG (Gretchen’s record label) and J. Money Music (a music publishing company based in Nashville).
According to the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers website, Gretchen co-wrote the song with John Rich and Vicky McGehee. Brothers Chris and Rich Robinson of the Black Crowes co-wrote “Jealous Again.”
Black Crowes manager Pete Angelus said in a statement, “We find the musical verses of Wilson’s song to be such an obvious example of copyright infringement that I expect all parties to reach a relatively quick resolution to avoid litigation.”
A spokesman for Wilson told CMT.com that Gretchen had no comment regarding the allegations.
[image used with permission from newscom.com]
I just listened to “Work Hard, Play Harder” and looked at the lyrics of “Jealous Again” and I’m just not seeing anything that would make me say “wow, these songs are awfully similar!”