Was George Harrison's 'My Sweet Lord' a Rip off of 'He’s So Fine' or Just Unconscious Plagiarism?

George Harrison's popular 1970 song, 'My Sweet Lord,' has long been a subject of controversy, with some claiming it to be an uncredited rip off of The Chiffons' 1963 hit, 'He’s So Fine.' The overlapping melody and chord progression have drawn attention, leading to legal scrutiny and debates over intentional plagiarism or unconscious borrowing. While the case might seem clear to some, others argue that the similarities are minimal and the lawsuit was more about money than music.

Unintentional Music Borrowing in 'My Sweet Lord'

According to various legal experts and music historians, George Harrison aimed to recast the gospel tune 'Oh Happy Day' but ended up incorporating a melody that closely resembled 'He’s So Fine.' This three-note melody in the opening of 'My Sweet Lord' led to accusations of intentional music borrowing.

In his defense, George Harrison argued that the composition was an unintentional act of borrowing and that he was not aware of the similarities until after the melody had been finalized. This defense of accidental borrowing would eventually lead to a court ruling. In 1976, the judge determined that while Harrison's borrowing was unintentional, the similarities were sufficiently close to warrant a settlement with the record label holding the rights to 'He’s So Fine.'

The Legal Battle: Phil Spector's Lawsuit

The court ruling resulted from a lawsuit brought by Phil Spector, who wrote and produced 'He’s So Fine' for The Chiffons. Spector took George Harrison to court for the similarities in the two songs. Although Spector acknowledged that the borrowing was unintentional, the court ruled that the similarities were too close to overlook. As a result, George Harrison had to pay a substantial settlement to the label holding the rights to 'He’s So Fine.'

This case is extensively studied in legal and music circles, raising questions about the complexity of copyright and the definition of outright theft versus unconscious influence. The ease of sharing musical ideas and the overlapping of similar musical styles have long been debated but rarely seen in such public detail.

Perceived Patterns in Legal Cases

While 'My Sweet Lord' and 'He’s So Fine' have been in the spotlight, there has been less public scrutiny of similar cases involving other bands like Led Zeppelin. Some speculate that The Beatles may have chosen to settle out of court, leading to fewer high-profile disputes. It is often suggested that the legal team for The Beatles may have been more inclined to pay settlements to avoid public controversy, while other bands, like Led Zeppelin, have faced more media attention and public disputes over plagiarism claims.

George Harrison’s legal representative, Allen Klein, played a significant role in the settlement process. In 1971, Klein advised Harrison to purchase the rights to 'He’s So Fine,' but Bright Tunes turned him down. Later, Klein bought the rights himself and pushed for the lawsuit against Harrison, adding another layer to the already complex case. The settlement amount was substantial, but Harrison ultimately acquiesced to avoid further legal complications.

Conclusion: Not Just a Money Grab

Decades later, the debate continues. Some argue that the case was just a money grab by the rights holders, while others believe in the significance of the unintentional borrowing. What stands clear is that the intricacies of musical influence are often hard to determine, and legal decisions can be highly subjective. For George Harrison, the case not only changed the course of his legal battles but also raised important questions about the evolution of copyright law and the nature of musical influence.

In the end, the case of 'My Sweet Lord' vs. 'He’s So Fine' remains a poignant example of the challenges faced when trying to draw the line between the influence of music and the boundaries of originality.