June 28, 2018 Musicology No Comments

Sheehan sued, again. Gaye, again. $100 million this time. But of course, we reach the same conclusion as last time.

According to TMZ Ed Sheeran is getting sued, yes again, for ripping off Marvin Gaye’s “Let’s Get It On.” This time the plaintiff is “Structured Asset Sales” which owns a third of the rights to “Let’s Get It On.”

According to the lawsuit, Sheeran’s song, “Thinking Out Loud” has the same melody, rhythms, harmonies, drums, bassline, backing chorus, tempo, syncopation, and looping as “Let’s Get it On.”

Not in any way that should matter; it doesn’t. But you already know that.

You may recall Sheeran has already faced a suit claiming that ‘Thinking Out Loud,” sounds too much like “Let’s Get It On,” written by Edward Townsend in 1973. Townsend’s heirs brought that suit, and here, we considered the merits, concluding that Sheeran should probably go to the mat over it. That case got tossed by the way, but it was without prejudice. That means they can refile, so expect it will be coming back around eventually.

“Thinking Out Loud” is a huge hit for Sheeran, nominated for Best Record, Best Performance and Song of the Year at the Grammys, and it has more than one billion streams on YouTube.

Big target. But in my opinion, probably can’t hit it with “Let’s Get It On.”

Written by Brian McBrearty