14 songs that "rip off" classical music

[George K]

A lot of them are obvious (the "Lover's Concerto", but some, like Eric Carmen's "All By Myself" were not apparent to me.

Link to video

[89th]

Cool video! It’s funny you mention that, every time I hear that part in Rach 2 I hear the “all by myself” lyrics in my head.

[Mik]

I don't know that I buy that using the same chord progression as Canon's is copying. It's pleasing to the ear, at least when it's not a wedding. Somehow I doubt much of anyone sat down with it and said 'ok, we're going to repurpose this'. Except maybe Procul Harem's pretty direct copy of Air on a G string for Whiter Shade of Pale.

[Doctor Phibes]

Pinching chord progressions from musical standards is an old jazz trick to avoid paying copyright. If the Gershwins had found a way to copyright the changes to I Got Rhythm they would have been gazillionaires.

[George K]

If I recall correctly, Stravinsky made changes to "The Firebird" during his life so that copyrights would remain in his name.