Avril Lavigne's Girlfriend Is Actually A Boyfriend
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Here's Avril Lavigne's idea for a hit song. Look for a good song that was successful some 30 years ago, make it go a little faster, use some crappy lyrics and you're all set. Such is the case for the "Girlfriend" hit. And yes, she is getting sued for it.
The story begins in 1978, when US power pop band The Rubinoos wrote the song "I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend". The catchy tune enjoyed extended airplay in Europe and the UK, which is why Avril must have thought that she could get away with it, since not so many Americans were likely to remember the original.
Well, unlucky for her, Tommy Dunbar and James Gangwer, two founding members of The Rubinoos and also the very same guys who wrote the song, immediately noticed that Avril's playing their song, so they sued her. The first court date has been set for August 28. However, it seems that the matter could be set out of court if the cost of the case may prove to be too high.
This is not the first time that Avril has been accused of stealing songs. A Canadian songwriter by the name Chantal Kreviazuk has told to the "Performing Songwriter" magazine that she sent Avril a song two years ago, called "Contagious", and that Avril used her song on an album without giving her credit.
Avril claims that she never heard the 70's song in her life, while her manager, Terry McBride, claims that "there is nothing similar between the two songs". Pardon my French, but that's pure bulls**t! The songs are not completely identical (no one could be that big of an idiot), but there are plenty of similarities. And you don't have to look any further than the chorus to see it for yourselves.
First of all, I fail to understand why on Earth didn't somebody change the basic idea for the song. The Rubinoos version of the chorus is: "Hey, you! I wanna be your boyfriend", while Avril goes: "Hey, you, I wanna be your girlfriend". Yap, Avril's manager is right, I can't see what possibly could be similar between these songs.
The lyrics' similarities end here, but Dunbar and Grangwer claim the meter and the rhythm for the chorus are identical. And since there is no way that words can convince you on this matter, we'll let you decide for yourselves after watching the following video.
Hello I am not a fan but i heard most of Avril songs and read come of het backgroung and just wanna say that the guy that wrote this article pardon my french but a serios ***** up dude , apologies for the language , but ignorance like this should be let to continue. After seeing a couple of other articles on the Internet and saw what proof each side had to offer , most likely Avril win win .
For an artist , thumbs up Avril , for an unique person double thumbs up Avril , now lets e serious who the **** head about The Rubinoos , come on .. my grand-dad hasn't eve heard of them :| and your telling me Avril stole there lyrics ? not theres your problem ..
And for my ending what does that video from you tube at the end has to prove the guys point of view .. that Avril is a hot chick and that she dresses nice? hmm Ignorance .. when will it end ..
This is News article right , corect me if i'm wrong but isn't the witer supposed to remain impartial ? .. and not take sides with anyone ? shame on you dude.. shame ..
Comment #2 by: salman sheerazi on 15 May 2008, 12:08 UTC
its the best song actually i love all of avril's songs an am crazy abut her.............hey avril i love you am just mad about not only your songs but you also........
I have carefully listened to both and except for the Hey Hey You You part they are not at all melodically identical. It isn't illegal to steal a lyric or even a little melody here and there (there are only so many after all), it's just illegal to copy the same melody.
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