Ed Sheeran
Musician Ed Sheeran has claimed he will quit music if he is found guilty of plagiarising his hit song ‘Thinking Out Loud’. He has been sued by the heirs of songwriter Ed Townsend, who collaborated with singer Marvin Gaye in 1973 to release the classic ‘Let’s Get It On’.
The 32-year-old is accused of plagiarising the Gaye song, although he has refuted the claim. The musician described the charges in the case as really insulting.
On Monday, the musician stated in court, “I’m not gonna swear”.
Ed Townsend’s daughter, Kathryn Townsend Griffin believes that Ed Sheeran imitated the legendary music while creating his number-one hit ‘Thinking Out Loud’.
According to the UK-based entertainment website Joe, Ms. Griffin claimed there are striking similarities between the two tracks as well as overt common elements that breach their copyright.
Denying the charge, the British singer-songwriter promised that if the jury found him guilty, he will quit music.
Mr. Sheeran said to his lawyer Irene Farkas, “If that happens, I’m done, I’m stopping. I find it really insulting to devote my whole life to being a performer and a songwriter and have someone diminish it”.
Mr. Townsend’s heirs are seeking $100 million in restitution.
Last week, lawyers for Mr. Townsend’s heirs showed a video of Mr. Sheeran seamlessly transitioning between ‘Thinking Out Loud’ and ‘Let’s Get it On’ in a live performance they said amounted to a confession that he ripped off the song.
Mr. Sheeran, on the other hand, said he and other singers routinely execute similar mash-ups, and that he had previously blended ‘Thinking Out Loud’ with Van Morrison’s ‘Crazy Love’ and Dolly Parton’s ‘I Will Always Love You’.
He further claimed that while an expert witness for the heirs was transcribing his song, he changed the chords and melody to sound more like ‘Let’s Get It On’.
If Mr. Sheeran is found guilty, he will face jail time.
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