Monday August 2, 2021 “Lust for Life” Iggy Pop vs “Are You Gonna Be My Girl” Jet
Last week there was some back and forth with song of the dayers on the question of whether John Mayer’s new tune, “Last Train…” sounded like something that might have preceded it and the consensus was ‘yes’ with Toto’s “Africa '' being the universal choice.
Obviously Mayer’s tune is not the first, nor the only song to reference something previous so this week let’s take a look at some songs that are similar to each other, some that are direct lifts and some that have incurred legal action as a result.
We’ll start with “Lust For Life'' a 1977 song recorded by Iggy Pop (James Newell Osterberg, Jr. for anyone who might have gone to Armstrong School) and written by Iggy along with David Bowie. It has a highly identifiable drum and bass beat which drives the song and gives it that signature sound.
That drum beat was performed by a young drummer named Hunt Sales who was Soupy Sales' son and along with his bass playing brother Tony Sales played in David Bowie's band, Tin Machine.
In 2003 we were introduced to “Are You Gonna Be My Girl” with the exact same rhythm section, after you get past the singer clearing his throat at the very beginning, it has the same signature sound. Written and performed by the Australian band Jet this was an international number one hit for the boys from down under and there’s no denying its similarity to “Lust for Life”
In fairness however this beat was likely lifted by the Bowie/Pop/Sales team from earlier Motown hits like “You Can’t Hurry Love” and “I’m Ready for Love ''. Give them a listen too.
Let me know what you think as we go along.
Stay safe and well...and yes they’ve really all been written before, many, many times over.