Jason Mraz is a Copycat
Jason Mraz has a new album and with that, a new single. But me thinks that the single isn’t that new at all. His duet with Colbie Caillat called ‘Lucky’ sounds eerily familiar. The song actually sounds like ‘David’, a gem of a song from little-known singer Nellie McCkay, who released her song four years ago. The chorus of Jason’s song ‘Lucky’ sounds completely identical to that of Nellie’s ‘David’. The song structure for both songs are also very similar. It’s too big of a coincidence to say that someone didn’t copy off the other. What is the music world coming to?
Unfortunately I could not find the other song by Nellie McCkay online, but its hard to say if Jason truly copied it. He could have possibly heard her song one time and he subconsciously incorporated elements of it into his song. Another possibility is that they just happened to have similar songs – I mean, music, like literature, is all interconnected and sometimes one song sounds exactly like another one (ice ice baby deja vu?) I just recently heard that J.K.Rowling had to settle a couple of court cases concerning Harry Potter because the plot of Harry Potter was to similar to other books that were written prior to Harry Potter. Still, I wish I could listen to the other song just to compare the two.
Comment by Colleen — March 10, 2009 @ 2:51 pm
The songs are completely different. One is about love and the other is about wanting more attention from her man.
The Chorus for David:
David don’t you hear me at all
David won’t you give me a call
Waitin’ here not makin’ a sound
David come around
The Chorus for Lucky:
I’m lucky I’m in love with my best friend
Lucky to have been where I have been
Lucky to be coming home again
I’m lucky we’re in love in every way
Lucky to have stayed where we have stayed
Lucky to be coming home someday
Along with the fact that they are completely different, the music is completely different also. I think that you got the song you were thinking about mixed up or your just trying to get another situation like Avril Lavigne’s Girlfriend. Next time make sure to pick two songs with at least the same subject lines.
Comment by Monica — March 15, 2009 @ 12:30 am
I listened to David by Nellie McCkay, and I completely disagree. They do sound similar in sound rhythm, but very different in the lyrics. To think that Jason Mraz is a copycat is very arguable.
Comment by Sonia — March 15, 2009 @ 1:22 pm
well fortunately for everyone there isnt anything that hasnt been done before. we are all working off of the universes vibes that continue to influence everyone. so they vibed the same song. so what. since hes already big its easier for his to get out there
Comment by KarenGruber — March 17, 2009 @ 8:37 pm
can’t we all just get along and love this music that we listen to? we are so fortunate to have music in our lives. in other countries , they may not have the access to hear what we do.
Comment by annie — April 1, 2009 @ 9:11 am
that’s rediculous. Jason Mraz wrote and performed that song long before he ‘released’ it to the pop world. anyone following his career from the early days would know that
did this girl attend one of his coffee shop gigs or small set jam sessions and become inspired I wonder?
Comment by CeeCee — April 2, 2009 @ 11:18 pm
…additionally MRAZ performs such a wide variety of styles of music you can’t peg him as indy/pop/rap/rock/opera because he does it all. For thoise of you who just have a commercial album then you will know the “pop” songs such as lucky or the rap-ish songs on Mr A-Z.
See him in concert. I promise you won’t be disappointed the guy can jump from ballad to operatic to pop to rap – its amazing.
MRAZ is much more than his song “Lucky”, it is a far streach to try and say a man of such wide ranging talent could be a copy cat.
Comment by CeeCee — April 2, 2009 @ 11:23 pm
Nothing alike I just heard it on itunes…they don’t sound the same at all.
Comment by Rachel Payne — April 6, 2009 @ 5:11 pm
jason is the most original “pop” artist around. i wish everyone would quit trying to put him down. the man is genius. and there’s a lot of songs out there that sound similar, like karen said. ceecee you rock
you are totally right. people would ask me about him, like what kind of music he writes…but it’s impossible to pin him under any one genre. that’s why he’s so amazing and original.
Comment by miriam — April 8, 2009 @ 10:31 am
I can hear the similarities, but meh, I like both songs.
Comment by Rain — April 19, 2009 @ 12:41 am
Mraz has TRUE talent and he definitely didn’t copy.
bored much?
Comment by Shirley — April 25, 2009 @ 4:37 pm
Wow you need to find something better to do with your time. Jason Mraz is one of the most talented singer/songwriters and to think that he would copy another song is just nuts. I will admit they sound similar in a way but they are two completely different songs. “Lucky”is a little bit more faster tempo and in my opinion better. Stop trying to hurt people and their career.
Comment by Haley — April 26, 2009 @ 1:38 pm
Wow. Not even remotely similar.
I liked David when I listened to it, but I couldn’t come up with a single trait that the two songs share if you paid me.
Comment by Amelia — May 6, 2009 @ 4:45 pm
Mraz is the best he doesn’t need to copy anything get a life seriously. Mraz didn’t copy it and he is way better then that he deserves everything that he is getting except your ridicule! You are a joke seriously
Comment by Lauren — May 19, 2009 @ 1:04 am
Actually, Colbie Caillat wrote this song. I know this for a fact because I was watching Jason Mraz sing this live on youtube in a video and he said that. I dont think he would lie. Also, taking a look at all his other songs which are so cleverly and tenderly written i dont think he NEEDS to steal anyone elses work. He is perfectly equipped to write masterpieces all by himself, that is the main reason he is so loved, for his lyrics and voice.
Comment by Amber — May 23, 2009 @ 11:24 pm
thats crazy, who cares????? big deal, does it really matter??????
Comment by jasmine — May 30, 2009 @ 9:45 pm
why are u all hating on Jason Mrz of?
Comment by udontneedtoknow — June 3, 2009 @ 2:44 pm
So, I just listened to her song on youtube and beside the very last half of the chorus the songs are nothing alike. Hers is written in a fast jazz freestyle and his is a slowed tropic lounge style. I don’t why you’re trying to rag on a guy who is as talented as he is. It is stupid to think that he would need to copy one song when he writes tons of other song by himself that are just as good if not better. Also her song has a minor vibe through the whole thing, his has a major vibe through the whole thing they feel and song completely different. The last two lines of her chorus remind you of the first lines in his that’s all, and just to clue you in: in a world of billions of people and millions who write songs, a couple similar sounding lines are bound to happen.
Comment by Justin — June 9, 2009 @ 11:59 am
It’s the influence of jazz that sounds similiar, the songs are not close enough in substance, or creativity.
Comment by Cody — June 9, 2009 @ 2:36 pm
It is similar to a commercial song I heard years ago. Wow, changing a song a little is good enough for success…
Comment by Steve — June 9, 2009 @ 7:09 pm
I dont think Jason copied, just because they have similar tune doesn’t mean he copied! it’s just like “Kids in America” from Cascada and “Kids of the Future” from the Jonas Brothers. No biggie! Right?
Comment by xANANYMOUSx — June 10, 2009 @ 4:34 pm
p.s. I LOVE YOU JASON!!!!!!!! <3
Comment by xANANYMOUSx — June 10, 2009 @ 4:36 pm
omg thats just stupid.
i haven’t even heard the song before and i know straight away that Jason would never copy.
seriously it’s absolutely moronic for you to even suggest it.
btw. jason and colbie worte that song together via email he said it in an interview.
Comment by yehwatevaaa — June 13, 2009 @ 2:11 am
jason mraz is an amazing artist and he doesn’t have to copy other peoples work b/c hes to good for that…and he didnt even right that song….colbie calliet’s people did b/c she wanted to do a duett with him. so go fuck yourself!!!
Comment by FUCK OFF — June 15, 2009 @ 3:02 pm
the two songs are completly different, there is no way that he stole the song, if he did the two songs would sound somewhat the same. all of the people in the world need to stop trying to make the stars look bad. im ony 17 but i know what this world is going through.
signed, maddi
Comment by maddi — June 20, 2009 @ 1:44 pm
yeah…too bad the david song SUCKS. it’s BARELY the same, I’ve heard worse.
Comment by cristine — June 26, 2009 @ 4:49 pm
You are crazy, the song is completely different, DAVID is horrible,you have been speaking without thinking
Comment by Alex — June 28, 2009 @ 12:49 pm
The songs are completely different in my opinion. While the rhythm is similar, that is completely understandable. The rhythm used in both songs is very basic so it’s easy to see their similarities. What many people don’t know is that often the music companies will buy rhythms and instrumentals to use in the background of songs, but they complicate them and remix them with other sounds to disguise them…case in point would be the similarities between Rick James’ ‘SuperFreak’ and M.C. Hammer’s ‘U Can’t Touch This’…Rick James created that beat and sold it to be used by other artists…
Comment by Amanda — July 8, 2009 @ 2:09 pm
The two songs do have similar structure, and similar melody.
Its irrelevant that the lyrics are different though guys. . . .
I doubt that Jason Mraz has copied this song, in my eyes the guy is a musical genius!I love his songs.
Comment by Matty — July 8, 2009 @ 7:56 pm
No estoy de acuerdo con eso. jason es magnifico y en la actualidad ya se han creado una infinidad de canciones y presentado al mundo melodias que pues.. un cantante las repite involuntariamente.. Pero este no es el caso, son una cosa super diferente, nada que ver una cancion con la otra.
te agradeceria que la checaras de nuevo y vieras que no tienen parecido, y lograras percatarte que es un cantante fabuloso incapaz de ser un copycat
gracias (:
Comment by Karla — July 16, 2009 @ 1:17 pm
i <3 jason mraz!!!
Comment by x_grace_x — July 16, 2009 @ 3:08 pm
well i think that the songs are different but you might think that it sounds the same because of the chorus because i done that once and it turned out that the two songs were totally different at the end so it might just be the rhythm in the chorus thats it.
Comment by masa — July 18, 2009 @ 5:59 pm
Stop saying bullshit! one song has nothing to do with the other…i don’t know what kind of hobby people has nowadays to try and take down some quality artists as Jason Mraz is! So shut the f*** up!!! and have a nice day
Comment by Sene — July 24, 2009 @ 5:34 am
i smell sommin it goes by the name of bullshit they r completly different songs and y would he have copied another song anyway?
Comment by emma — July 24, 2009 @ 6:14 am
your so wrong. their about two different things completely yes they might sound slightly alike but not same lyrics and the only reason they sound alike is probably they have simular cords in them or something.. but honestly i don’t think Jason copied and if he did in any way it probably was not on purpose. they both have good songs just leave it at that..
i love Jason music!
Comment by MAIRE — July 31, 2009 @ 3:14 am
LUCKY DOES NOT SOUND AT ALL LIKE DAVID YOU FREAK (even though the chorus sounds similar), IT IS NOT !!!!
Comment by Courtney — August 2, 2009 @ 6:46 pm
he did not copy it anyways
Comment by cowwy — August 2, 2009 @ 6:47 pm
Dear Writer,
As a band student I can understand that an illiterate person as your self could be easily confused I feel the need to explain the simple things as tempo and key to you as you seem to confused. Tempo of the two songs are the are both what seems to 2/4 which is a common tempo for music, but your melodies are completely different because “nelli” chooses the four beat word where as Marz chooses to you the two beat word. Then the melody takes off on its own. Marz use a the off beat where “nellie is on the beat. And they’re in differnt keys. Rhythm is not the same, so the only thing your confused over is tempo silly idiot!
Comment by A Band student who knows music — August 11, 2009 @ 5:31 am
Jason Mraz is an amazing performer, and does not copy music. They have completely different lyrics. You need to shut up and leave him alone!
Comment by Gina — August 12, 2009 @ 10:45 am
Have you ever heard of the daying that goes “if you’re copying someone’s work it’s a compliment” well its true i couldn’t find the song online but so what you’re just jealous that you don’t have his life of singing and having over 9,000 fans screaming just to see your face.
Comment by Meredith — August 15, 2009 @ 7:04 pm
wow haha no one supports u loser
JASON MRAZ I LOVE YOUUUUUUUU
Comment by Ashlie — August 25, 2009 @ 12:23 am
They should reform New Kids on the Block & have this bozo open up to please the teenyboppers and 40-year-old women who hang on his every word.
Comment by Tommy — August 30, 2009 @ 7:08 pm
I heard David by Nellie Mckay and it dies not sound like Lucky by Jason Mraz! Jason Mraz is very talented and he does not copy! Now STFU! and I agree with comment #38! I have been in music for about 6 years and i can hear the difference… By the way Jason Mraz is 1,000,000,000 times better than her… sorry but its the truth
Comment by woah! — September 2, 2009 @ 6:47 pm
This reminds me of when John Fogerty of Credence Clearwater Revival was sued in his solo years for sounding to much like himself. He wrote a song that had similar beats to an old CCR song. BFD! Music is interconnecteded and one thing inspires another. Some songs sound similar. It is not through copying. Jason Mraz did not copy Nellie McKay. That is just silly.
I take exception to the comment for that nonsense of “Ice, Ice, Baby” though. Everyone knows Vanilla Ice stole that base riff from Queen. To believe otherwise is just plain ignorant.
Comment by Josh — September 3, 2009 @ 1:56 pm
I am sorry but u are so wrong. Jason is a hard freaking worker. So go in a corner and think about what u have u done…booo U
AND I Love JASON MRAZ
soo
he wins. soorryy
mwahhahha
Comment by annette — September 3, 2009 @ 5:39 pm
JASON ROCKS
SO HAHAHHAA
Comment by Jayjay — September 3, 2009 @ 5:40 pm
jason’s a really awesome singer. theres no way he has copied the song..so case dismissed
Comment by mukhya — September 14, 2009 @ 5:48 am
I listened personally to the song David by Nellie Mckay and I think that the chorus sounds barely anything like the chorus to Lucky.
I think that it might just be a coincidence that they sound slightly similar. Jason Mraz is a very talented singer/songwriter, so why would he steal songs. If he even needed to steal a song from someone why would it be from a nobody wannabe. He could have stolen from Ben Folds or Chris Daughtry.
Also there are plenty of songs with slightly same sounding music or lyrics. There are even songs with the same name.
Also if this Nellie Mckay thought Mraz stole her music why wouldn’t she do something about it.
To sum up I think it’s very presumtious of you to say he stole a song from someone.
Jay
Comment by Jay — September 14, 2009 @ 2:08 pm
GO JASON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Comment by Jay — September 14, 2009 @ 2:13 pm
o my goodness!!! jason copied nothing!! hes a good guy!! u just are a hater
Comment by syd — November 13, 2009 @ 12:44 am