By Callum Boyle
Sheeran has been taken to court by the estate of one of Marvin Gaye’s co-writers.
Ed Sheeran has said he will quit the music industry if he is found guilty of plagiarism.
The English popstar has been taken to court by the estate of one of Marvin Gaye’s co-writers who claim that the 32-year-old copied one of the soul legend’s biggest songs.
Sheeran stood before the court in New York last week where he argued his case against Kathryn Townsend Griffin, the daughter of Ed Townsend. The latter co-wrote one of Gaye’s best-known songs, 1973’s ‘Let’s Get It On’.
Griffin claims that Sheeran copied the tune when making his 2014 number-one hit ‘Thinking Out Loud’, alleging that there are “striking similarities” between the two songs.
However, Sheeran has denied copying any of Gaye’s music, even going as far as to say that he will walk away from the music industry altogether if he is found guilty.
Marvin Gaye
“If that happens, I’m done, I’m stopping,” he told his attorney Ilene Farkas.
“I find it really insulting to devote my whole life to being a performer and a songwriter and have someone diminish it.”
Additionally, the 32-year-old was asked about his song ‘Take It Back’ which contains the lyrics “plagiarism is hidden”.
He tried to explain the context behind the words but Keisha Rice – a lawyer for Townsend’s heirs – turned down the chance, explaining that if she needed more context on the matter that she would ask for it.
Also in court last week, the plaintiff’s attorneys showcased a clip of Sheeran switching smoothly between playing ‘Thinking Out Loud’ to ‘Let’s Get It On’ during a live gig, claiming that this was proof of their claims.
However, later Sheeran defended himself, arguing back: “I mash up songs at lots of gigs. Many songs have similar chords. You can go from ‘Let It Be’ to ‘No Woman No Cry’ and switch back.
“And quite frankly, if I’d done what you’re accusing me of doing, I’d be quite an idiot to stand on a stage in front of 20,000 people and do that.”
Prior to that, Sheeran accused Rice of attempting to cut him off from giving a reasonable response.
“I feel like you don’t want me to answer because you know that what I’m going to say is actually going to make quite a lot of sense,” he said.
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