Billie Jean VS No Can Do | AN INVESTIGATION

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Did Michael really rip off Hall and Oates' "I Can't Go For That" for his song "Billie Jean"? This is a clear cut case of copyright infringement with NO other learning, NO fun mashups, and NO larger lessons about creativity*
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SOURCES
Hall and Oates Huff Post Interview: • The Song Michael Jacks...
"Billie Jean, but in a major key": www.cheatsheet...
Austin Kleon's "Steal Like an Artist": amzn.to/3X8vd6q
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TOPICS COVERED
Michael Jackson
Hall and Oates
I Can't Go For That
No Can Do
Billie Jean
Rip Off
Steal
Austin Kleon
Copyright Case
The People's Court
Creativity
#michaeljackson
#hallandoates
#music

[@Mrtre32199]

I always felt Tears For Fears "Everybody Wants To The Rule World" & MJ's "The Way You Make Me Feel" had a similar drum pattern too.

[@anthonyrowland9072]

i hear basically no similarities here but that was totally lifted.

[@bronxkies]

Agreed. Whenever I hear “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” I automatically think of “The Way You Make Me Feel”. It’s the drums and bass line.

[@kalanreese5551]

I’ve always thought that too!!!

[@gabrielmatthews9494]

The songs sound nothing alike! 😮

[@justcharles7429]

I hear the drums and bass you talking bout but still totally differ songs and vibes. The way you make me feels melody is infectious and goes in a completely different direction

[@DaveRucci]

I think Darryl was flattered his song inspired arguably MJ's biggest hit ever! The songs and basslines are NOT that similar other than they have catchy dance grooves and are pop hits!

[@paradoxical_taco]

He actually said he was flattered in the interview shown here. Kudos to Michael for his honesty and to Daryl for not taking Michael’s statement and running to a lawyer. Michael was dragged into court on a few occasions for supposed copyright infringement and few artists escape these lawsuits.

[@skineyemin4276]

@@paradoxical_taco Run to a lawyer? For what? Please, point out the one thing that makes these 2 tunes so similar? The rhythmic pattern of the bass on the H&O tune was much closer to the early '60s hit "Shotgun" by Jr. Walker & The All Stars (kzbin.info/www/bejne/maKZm6Sre9eVZpo) and the bass part on Billie Jean has an eighth note pattern, nothing like that of "I Can't Go For That". So.., H&O owns the almost 4 on the floor type of disco drum beat that was being playing in predominantly black and disco music all throughout the 70s funk and disco era? That's just nonsense and some wishful thinking.

[@glowwaveofficial]

After listening to it a bit ,they are Exactly the same bassline! It'd just that BJ starts a note earlier, that's enough to make it different, genius!

[@SPAZZOID100]

Daryl claimed he could not hear the similarity. Neither do i. 🤷‍♂️

[@skineyemin4276]

@@SPAZZOID100 Because, he already knew. It's goofy ass, know nothing videos like this that proves my point even more.

[@SheaSF]

This should be taught in school. This is THE definitive explanation of how art works. From food trends to painting to music. So good!

[@melbuck194]

It is to creatives.

[@coreym162]

The entertainment industry can't go for that.

[@d-rzarkocubrinoski]

Billie Jean sounds nothing like I Can't Go For That, at all.

[@KtotheG]

I was a fan of both artists in the '80s. Both are great songs.

[@mjmedia09returns]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/pZPZl2xrlqisjdU Hall & Oates made this claim in MJ'S DEATH which I found odd. But many of the beats from the 80's had a similar riff. But this is MJ making Billie Jean in 1981.

[@joaomoreira5996]

It is truly amazing the way you structure your storytelling. And there's always a twist at the end ( like the fact that the people's court baseline is actually similar to ALL the basslines shown before). You sir are my favorite youtuber for sure. I hope to still learn about music with you for a long time. Regards from Portugal 🇵🇹

[@diggingthegreats]

🙏🙏 much love from the US!

[@Subjective_JoshNelson]

#joao Moreira - I agree 100%. Brandon is probably the best musicologist for 20th Century Black american music+ on YT!

[@drac3650]

yawn

[@kennithgeorge6520]

Regards to the bass line, you assuming MJ wrote it which is not true. Louis Johnson wrote it and up to the time of his death was receiving royalties for it.

[@Kinseliplier]

@@kennithgeorge6520 oh really? That's interesting. I didn't know that.

[@patriciasalmon4]

I always thought “Part Time Lover” by Stevie Wonder and “Maneater” by Hall & Oates also sounded eerily familiar (with very similar lyrical themes!) Loved this video!!

[@chrisclark1471]

Hi! And to me, the bassline for "Maneater" seemed to have a similar groove to the Supreme's "You can't hurry Love" as well.

[@juliemcdaniel499]

According to SW, he drew on You Can't Hurry ❤ and My World Is Empty W/Out You by the Supremes as an influence 4 Part-Time Lover.

[@kevinmorgan263]

​@@chrisclark1471alot of 80s pop rock tunes influenced by the motown sound for sure

[@chrisclark1471]

@kevinmorgan263 I AbsoLUTELY Agree!! 👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾

[@chrisclark1471]

@juliemcdaniel499 Oh Wow, I never knew that! And after all this time, now that I hear those songs in my head, the bass lines are incredibly similar! But it's also nice to know that legends like SW borrow a little occasionally themselves, thanks for the info!! 👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾

[@1977TA]

As a music composer I can confirm that inspiration is the engine that drives creativity. Being inspired to create something is not the same as stealing what inspired you. Michael used a poor choice of words when he told Darryl Hall he stole I can't go for that. What he meant to say was he was inspired by I can't go for that.

[@GeneSavage]

Every video from you is a master class on how to make a KZbin video endlessly engaging. You keep me interested to the last word, and then you serve desert with your remixes and mashups. Thank you for being one of the most entertaining and informative channels on KZbin!

[@diggingthegreats]

🙏🙏

[@eneomeanthony4500]

That's true "lnterested to the last word"

[@mjmedia09returns]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/pZPZl2xrlqisjdU Hall & Oates made this claim in MJ'S DEATH which I found odd. But many of the beats from the 80's had a similar riff. But this is MJ making Billie Jean in 1981.

[@klaurcschwackerberg1880]

I smell a new 5 billion dollar lawsuit case here ! Everybody will be indicted !

[@klaurcschwackerberg1880]

@occamsrazorblade and the Donna Summer song got its bassline from the Moog sequencer, so it will be the Moog Synthesizer who will win all the lawsuits against every musician on earth !

[@thevisionaryassassin4352]

That supercut mix at the end was the best one I've watched you make. This was a fantastic watch, thanks. The Discord community is great as well.

[@diggingthegreats]

Thank you! Glad to have you here and on Discord!

[@chri2tos]

ALSO.... Donna Summer's song "State of Independence"... This shows how intense MJ's ear was and how he was in a way "Machiavelli'n" in his way of listening for inspiration and crafting something totally different from what he originally heard before. His genius has too many deep layers and portals.

[@andyscott5277]

Another song that was completely inspired by Billie Jean was Billy Ocean’s "Caribbean Queen," I think admittedly. They even took the synth accents 😅

[@bsquared4604]

I thought the same thing first time I heard it.

[@dabro1569]

Hey, I was looking for THIS comment as soon as I saw the video title. I remember this like it was yesterday!! I remember being 8 years old and angry that somebody was ripping off my boy Mike!!! Of course didn’t understand artistic license and imitation being a form of flattery then. Still good times and memories 💪🏾🇺🇸🔥🇺🇸🔥🇺🇸🔥✊🏿

[@PowerOfSubmission]

How can anyone leave negative comments under your videos? You make such great content, I always get excited when I see that you uploaded a new vid!

[@diggingthegreats]

Eh, to each their own. Glad to have you here 🔥

[@Diggy22]

I always felt that “I Can’t Go For That” had a groove that Michael Jackson could dance to. “Billie Jean” definitely had a rhythm and tempo reminiscent of “I Can’t Go For That”, which is a testament to Hall & Oates’ songwriting abilities being able to inspire even the biggest superstars. And Hall & Oates definitely didn’t shy away from saying who influenced them. They grew up listening to The Temptations and (as stated in the video) Curtis Mayfield. In fact, one of Hall & Oates’ biggest performances was at the Apollo Theater, performing with David Ruffin and Eddie Kendricks. Motown artists inspired Hall & Oates, and Hall & Oates inspired a former Motown artist in return. Full circle.

[@LJGreni]

I thought "I can't go for that" sounds alot like Lowell fulson's "Tramp" Check the bassline.

[@skineyemin4276]

Whenever I hear any Hall & Oats track, nothing about Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean" never pops through my head......., ever.

[@LJGreni]

@@skineyemin4276 Well in the 80s there was a song called Do It Again Billie Jean it had elements of Steely Dan and Michael Jackson.

[@mjmedia09returns]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/pZPZl2xrlqisjdU Hall & Oates made this claim in MJ'S DEATH which I found odd. But many of the beats from the 80's had a similar riff. But this is MJ making Billie Jean in 1981.

[@sirjer73]

​@@LJGrenidamn I remember that. That was 83/84 I was in 5th grade. That was my first memory of Do it again, now I'm a full fledged Danite!!!!

[@RaymondCastile]

Vangelis and Jon Anderson released State of Independence in 1981. It has that baseline. Quincy Jones produced a successful cover of State of Independence for Donna Summer in 1982. Michael Jackson sang backing vocals on that song, along with other celebrity guest vocalists. Quincy Jones then produced Billy Jean for Michael Jackson.

[@lexxmusic7549]

Exactly. That's where the bassline is from.

[@guitarek1136]

I also remember, that Quincy Jones openly admitted that. At least I read that somewhere. But I guess the point is: nobody knows Vangelis' and Anderson's State of Independence :D ... such a good song.

[@globalcitizenn]

Michael came up with that one though.. I think it all came together for him, bits & pieces he’d heard from here & there came together in a new song. Sometimes things subconsciously seep in. Like Heal the World is from Jaws end credits

[@godjgo]

​@@globalcitizennQuincy stated that Michael took the bassline from Donna Summer's song. I didn't know about the Jaws thing, that's crazy!

[@dadsonworldwide3238]

Inspiration is something that cant be denied or blocked out. Everyone influences each other

[@AMHC19]

The better question is how do you keep putting such entertainment content out for this long. And that sick brick wall behind you is the perfect backdrop for a music related channel. Thank you for your hardwork

[@diggingthegreats]

Thank you so much 🙏 I appreciate the support!

[@chloemchll3774]

I’ve heard it said that “creativity is the art of hiding who you’re stealing from”. In a sense your success as an artist is taking the art that makes you go “I should do something like that”, mixing and matching other art that gives you a similar feeling, maybe adding one thing that is uniquely you, and the final product ends up as something new that expresses your artistic vision. When you got the atoms and molecules part I started getting shades in a different direction (for a bass forward band I love, namely Tool) who have a song (Lateralus) that deals with the interconnectivity of the universe, the fibonacci sequence/golden ratio in nature and art, and the possibilities of human experience. I realize prog metal may not be your thing but given your ability to interconnect some pretty distant (at least at first blush) ideas I figured I’d mention this particular distant connection my brain thought you were about to make until you made a completely different (but somehow related) one. A great video as always, and I’ll say that if you do go back and look at some recent comments on your older videos, you’ll see me pretty consistently singing your praises. One of the absolute best music analysis/history channels on KZbin and I always finish your videos having learned something and with a deeper appreciation for the music in question, even going back to reexamine some artists I had previously missed or drawn a negative conclusion about.

[@matlaselomakosholo3166]

Inspiration.... I don't think it's stealing, the artist we listen to, help hone our individual feel. I listened to Jay Dee, Pete Rock, Premo, E-dub, RZA......I have my feel but you can hear something to say, ''do you listen to Pete Rock?''

[@jalaaaah]

yep; i’ve always heard the saying “good artist borrow, great artist steal.”

[@jalaaaah]

@@matlaselomakosholo3166 they don’t mean actually stealing; just taking that reference and selling it so well it appears original.

[@mrpreacherman8262]

Out of all of your videos, this pinpoints your talent and musical ear. From organizing to earring of scales between multiple songs. You my brother, really got it going on.

[@Alpha-wr5ft]

They are not the same, and Michael is not here to refute hall & oats . As a matter of fact, if they were the same , I'm sure Hall & oats would have sued Michael for copyright infringement, and everyone knows the millions of dollars Billie Jean made. I can agree that Michael loved and respected Hall & oats, as I do and love to listen to them also but no . Remember, in music, there are only seven notes, and one note higher is the octave bottom note or as one word say , starting with C and ending up with the octave C. All music comes from those notes, and you can argue the notes are the same. Well, hell, then on that premise, everyone is stealing from everyone because they all have to use the same notes to make a song.

[@tshore0601]

I bring up this story all the time when talking about musicians being inspired by others. Another great video, you don't miss!

[@diggingthegreats]

🙏🙏

[@DanielBasilicato]

This channel deserves WAYYY more views and subscibers than it currently has. Masterful storytelling, adn the twists and turns throughout are mind blowing. I love you and your content, you are a hidden gem and you will become more successful in your ventures, it is inevitable.

[@mjmedia09returns]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/pZPZl2xrlqisjdU Hall & Oates made this claim in MJ'S DEATH which I found odd. But many of the beats from the 80's had a similar riff. But this is MJ making Billie Jean in 1981.

[@dgblac0]

I agree 100 percent.

[@dsewellga]

As a former music teacher, this is inspiration...not a rip-off.

[@dsewellga]

Hall and Oats aren't the creator of that baseline either. In a 12 tone system, there are only 12 notes. Someone is bound to use the same progression. Next, people are gonna claim that "some guy stole my 2-5-1 progression"....lolol.

[@joshbarnett1984ish]

I found your KZbin channel after i became disabled in 2020. I have been a musician most of my life, and you inspired me to start making hip hop beats again. Keep doing what you do!

[@mathewwallis2863]

As a musician/composer, I'd ofen admit to musicians, "yeah, I stole that part from [whoever]." They'd say, "noooo." So, I'd point out the part and they still say they couldn't hear it. That's when I truly came to terms with myself over theft vs inspiration. What was being heard, in the end, was clearly different than what I was hearing in my head.

[@Highlander-qf8ho]

Damn that beat you made from that was crazy ! Haven’t rapped in 20 plus years but when I heard that I went off the dome and it was crazy! Love to here the full version? Love ya break downs keep up teaching the big picture!

[@cableloosethreads]

Agreed; best was cold! Reminded me of Premier

[@samwest1097]

I’m not a rapper, but I won’t lie, I tried to spit something when he cooked that beat up 😂

[@GgWifi-ot2sh]

It's the classic instrumental fa real lol like rakim song I believe

[@GOMDYLAH]

Coulda seen Doom on it lowkey

[@im2cxe4u]

Hall & Oats bass is much more similar to The Turtles's 'Buzzsaw' (sampled by D-Nice) which is eerily similar to Tramp by Otis Redding and Carla Thomas (sampled by Salt & Pepa) which also sounds like Shotgun by Jr. Walker & the All Stars and so on and so on... It's a very common style of bass line for it's era and onward.

[@marvin469]

Salt n Peppa kilt that Tramp beat omg

[@lobotomyscam1051]

D-Nice!

[@dariusmcnair601]

EPMD "Rampage" & Cypress Hill "How I Could Just Kill A Man"

[@chrisbennett6260]

not at all

[@christianb8900]

I wish you would've touched on about the rumor that when MJ said to Hall & Oates that he stole the bassline, Hall & Oates apparently said, "It's ok Mike. We stole it from someone else". (Perhaps Hall & Oates didn't quite explain their response to MJ in this interview you featured, but they still sort of explained it in a round-about way that they do 'steal' things).

[@liamthomas4644]

This man does video essays right. I'm entertained and informed. I'm glad I subscribed.😂

[@Fred_De_La_Fokoff]

Once again, BRAVO !! Always mindblown! Each time you analyze , you see the similarities and digging deeper to see the inspiration in the inspiration without trying to be intellectual or elitist , superior or above the other, no, you vulgarize, just to be sure that anybody can understand and absorb your passion, even if its not a song or style that the person likes initially. Im never bored with your videos, it makes me go deeper and deeper in my listens and my way of create songs and creativity. You are an inspiring person! Ultra Mega respect! Stay true to yourself ! THANKS!

[@mjmedia09returns]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/pZPZl2xrlqisjdU Hall & Oates made this claim in MJ'S DEATH which I found odd. But many of the beats from the 80's had a similar riff. But this is MJ making Billie Jean in 1981.

[@HaliB75]

I heard from music historians that Michael got the bass line for Billie Jean from something much older-the intro from The Four Tops, “I Can’t Help Myself, Sugar Pie Honeybunch” Which make much better sense being that MJ was also a young Motown artist. The Hall and Oates claim is BS.

[@XAMAKA...]

To be honest I think Darryl is lying. MJ never said that this song was his inspiration. And both songs sounds completely different. Even the Basslines are complete different. So I think Darryl wants to get extra attention

[@freeyomnd_619]

All artist took from somebody so this subject doesn't move me. Especially because they're are both great songs that i still enjoy til this day. And everytime i hear Billie Jean, i hear .... Billie Jean, not I can't go for that & vise-versa. But you did a great job with this 💯

[@christopherballero866]

Pretty sure if Billie Jean were stolen someone would've sued big time

[@chiarosuburekeni9325]

Just watch the video. Daryl Hall says that Michael told him that he jacked the song 🙄

[@matlaselomakosholo3166]

I just think it's inspiration

[@richardkovacs2006]

​@@chiarosuburekeni9325and what does that prove? Not even Hall&Oats thought it was theft, they didn't even recognize it, till MJ told them they were the INSPIRATION. Just like they were inspired by others as THEY THEMSELVES say it.

[@yogijaya2897]

Idk if you guys realize how mf cool Daryle Hall is!

[@joeskys2362]

I just discovered you, because I was on a MJ binge. Your video is really insightful, and creative I'm defiantly subbing!

[@A_Train]

That last part was so good! You're very talented!!

[@woodch]

9:45 - I think my head exploded. That statement resonates so strongly with me-- it was like a sudden "A HA!" That explains so much about what I felt while learning my instrument of choice, and how my creative process developed as a result. Also, keep making these videos-- they're super neat. :)

[@steve_santiago]

Dope vid as always. The great Niles Rogers masterfully broke down on Sway in the morning a few years ago how baselines are constantly “stolen“ on a must watch interview that is available on KZbin. PS. Fun fact: It was at that aforementioned We are the World studio session that Quincy Jones coined the phrase “Check your ego at the door“

[@kadu51044]

That mix at the end... Awww snap! We gonna need like 2 minutes of that, if I could humbly ask please. On the rest of this... This is getting good. You are coming up with some really good topics. If you run out, let me know, because I don't want you to!

[@diddybopper2052]

Judge Judy “Don’t tell me what anyone else said, that’s hearsay!”.

[@l0riz624]

Vangelis - State of Independence seems to be also very similar to Billie Jean. The opening Arpeggio sounds very similar to the Bassline of BJ.

[@aaronverico1396]

Quincy Jones produced both of those songs, so that makes sense.

[@l0riz624]

@@aaronverico1396 The Vangelis version i'm referring to wasn't produced by Quincy Jones. There's a cover version from Donna Summer that was indeed produced by him, but it came out later in 1982.

[@SPAZZOID100]

Not really.

[@aaronverico1396]

@@l0riz624 Oh ok.

[@hoodhippychick]

You play the hell outta that bass! I wasn’t ready for the people’s court theme song to be tied in this You are a genius!!!!

[@mitchellwilliams7165]

In 1972 - Steely Dan had a song titled "Do it again". We might find out where " No can do and Billie Jean" originated.

[@GOGOGODSON727]

I dig both artists and both songs but “Billie Jean” is not a rip off of “I Can’t Go For That” but I can name at least 4 hit songs by other artists that came from “Billie Jean”. Respect to all artists and writers below. 1. Like A Virgin (Madonna) 2. Word Up (Cameo) 3. Caribbean Queen (Billy Ocean) 4. Dirty Dancer (Bar Kays) Play any one of those songs and you will easily hear “Billie Jean”. Rest In Peace Michael Jackson THE KING OF POP

[@l0sts0ul89]

He literally brings up Like a Virgin

[@SalaahudDiyn]

Never been this early to one of your videos! I’m glad you debunked this rumor that has been going on for too long. But I gotta say whenever I think I know everything about pop music history, you go deeper and teach me something new. Your approach to storytelling, history and your musical demonstrations are top tier. Everything you do is informative and entertaining!!! And finally the way you end your videos by connecting it to another one of your videos is some Marvel Studios type interconnection! Even if I’ve already seen that video you’ve recommended, I’ll watch it again because how well you tie everything together. You’re one of the best KZbinrs out there!!!! Keep up the great work!!!!

[@derryksandiford5434]

I'm 46, and I grew up in the 80s. And I NEVER actually realized that Madonna's Like A Virgin was basically the Dollar Tree version of Billie Jean 😮🤯😵. This might be because I literally never reach for Like A Virgin when I'm in the mood for Madonna, maybe, because of the rumors that the song is secretly an ode to 'doggy style' and/or An*l sex. Take a minute to REALLY examine the lyrics in the hook..." Search your feelings KZbin, you know it to be true..." Anyhoo, I'm more of a Get Into The Groove kinda guy.

[@eff7221]

Interesting fact: Michael sampled Can't Go For That beat for his Hollywood Tonight demo during Invincible album Session. This song was reworked and released in 2010 posthumous Michael album. Original Michael's version a lot better than $ony rework.

[@only.built4cubanlinx]

I would love to see more videos like this. This was awesome. Something I would enjoy is something like Nirvana’s ‘Come As You Are’ and the obvious resemblance to Killing Jokes ‘Eighties’. Honestly a series of these style videos would be amazing. And, I don’t think you look like a muppet. Keep up the good work!

[@carlossantos689]

I've always thought that the bass line for no can do was ripped off, probably unconsciously, from shotgun by Junior Walker and the Allstars. Great video

[@arlaur]

^THIS^

[@lunacampos5094]

As a side note to the “I can’t go for that” Backbeat, it’s worth noting it’s the rock 1 preset on the Roland CR-78 drum machine 🤭

[@indalot8315]

Neat. Just looked at that. Reminds me of Fergie's "Clumsy" drum beat being lifted verbatim from the Casio EP-10 rock beat #2

[@TheMadmacs]

i've often noticed when i try to copy somebodys music and i fail, i still end up with music, sometimes its good, now and then its as good and very occassionally its pure gold.

[@themotownboy1]

Quincy Jones said that Michael Jackson😢 took the bassline from the bass intro riff to Donna Summer's Quincy produced song "State of Independence" and slowed it down to fit the beat of BJ. Michael was also part of the all-star choir that sang back up on SOI.

[@Dr_JackHammer]

The actual sample is a 60s track "Flowers Flowers" by The Licorice Schtik, not just bassline but also chords

[@kendonshaw]

I love love loved this one. Speaking my language on creativity. Loved the universe metaphor, loved the mashup at the end. The Pythonesque use of the People’s Court Theme, the Austin Kleon reference. Man 11/10

[@barbaramarttila5280]

“I can’t go for that” is one of those tracks that will make me dance every damn time EVERY time

[@zachbenson9548]

Best thing I've seen on KZbin in a long time. Thank you!

[@null_state]

Your content is so good. Subscribed a few weeks ago. As a musician, I really appreciate the depth you go into, while also giving basic explanations for non-musicians. Best regards.

[@heatwole]

your content makes me want to make music myself and i’ve never had this feeling. You’re a damn legend man

[@JPdraws_]

0:36 Picture of Michael with no ponytail feels weird

[@charlesjackson2512]

I've always felt that Darryl Hall is lying about this supposed "confession" by Michael Jackson.

[@avace917]

The baseline to Like A Virgin is actually closer to that of "I Can't Help Myself " by The Four Tops. Just in a different key. Somebody else pointed it out to me and my jaw dropped

[@Avonbarksdaleable]

Corrected you about this story in a video you made last year. Glad you are making a whole video about it now 👍🏾

[@ProdbyPackTV]

Nah the way u made that full circle moment at the end was Masterful 12:33 lol

[@richardkovacs2006]

I hate the word "rip off". Inspiration is inseperable from art. And while we admire Daft Punk for actually lifting samples from songs, MJ is being sh.t all over for inspiration. No sample, just a feel that then goes into a different direction after 8 bars. In all honesty, even those 1st 8 bars have a different feel, Hall&Oats is dreamy, breathy, MJs hits fiercly, no place for daydreaming. Not EXACTLY the same is actually DIFFERENT. Esp because music is not just what notes you play, but also HOW you play them. People seem to forget that. Or maybe they do it just to stir up debates, to get views and attention. The fact Q started this "MJ was thief" to promote his own anniversary concert left a bad taste...

[@WTL98]

Never been this early before!

[@eespecialeventsdj]

Me neither

[@lunacampos5094]

First Time for me tooo

[@delontewilliams4090]

My first time here in the first hour

[@thekendemetrishow]

Ditto

[@tyronepetrie]

Yep ✋🏾

[@DJAakaAnsell]

ABSOLUTE magic here, is your way of enlightening the masses of the MAGIC of creativity from all artists, whether music or otherwise and this my genius friend, is ORIGINAL and to only YOU, as no one compares to your way of show and tell like you do. - BEST on KZbin...end of story.🙏

[@ryanmcgrady4978]

Damn, you really keep raising the bar with every video! I remember finding ur channel a while back when you only had a handful of uploads, its been really awesome to see your channel grow. You deserve it! I tell everyone I can about your incredibly thoughtful and entertaining content, always stoked when I see a new one. Keep it up, man! 😁

[@Musicradio77Network]

Following his hit “Billie Jean”, there was a band called Club House where they did a remake of Steely Dan’s “Do It Again” where it mashed up with Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean” and it blends together, and that a great version.

[@djpolo99]

Brother, don't worry about the haters. Keep producing great work! Your videos are the only ones that I listen to a regular speed. Everything else is sped up to 1.5 😂

[@cstarcrusher]

disregard all haters and troll comments, you are doing the lord's work with your content for ALL of us music nerds out there. we love ya, man.

[@danielesbordone1871]

Everybody gets ideas from somebody else , even the Beatles used to do it. One thing is copying altogether and another thing is modifying and fine tuning to your own taste.

[@DopestDope24]

Holy shit wasn’t waiting for an M. Night Shyamalan level twist at the end.

[@happygilmore2100]

The master class of breaking down the tracks.

[@apersonontheinternet4071]

I do not understand how this channel can get hate. its entertaining yet educational

[@arlaur]

Well, in the words of a great underappreciated musician, “Some men’s world is only hate and money/ Afraid of everything and they laugh at nothing/ And they only live to criticize.” Seriously, there are people whose lives are so empty, the only joy they can find comes from belittling others. Those types are best ignored.

[@shanonkiyoshi4784]

Whenever I hear "Like a Virgin" all I REALLY hear is THE FOUR TOPS' 1965 hit "Sugarpie Honeybunch"... 🤣🎶🤷‍♂️ But YES -- great video. I completely admit I am the Sum Total of EVERYTHING that has ever INSPIRED me. I can't think of an artist I know that isn't ⚡️😎👍⚡️

[@Musicradio77Network]

Or shall I say “I Can’t Help Myself”.

[@shanonkiyoshi4784]

@@Musicradio77Network When I was a kid I thought it was named that too 😉🤩😁👍

[@Novaheart1998]

Yes as a musician I can agree with the similarities in the song, its kinda close but different enough where its more of a nod and wink than a total ripoff. Daryl didn’t care, he was cool with it because it’s MJ.

[@jnyerere]

When you were able to connect "The People's Court" theme to the thesis of this video I was like HOT DAMN. That's why I subscribed to this channel. You never miss.

[@badnewsproduction01]

That mix at the end goes hard🔥 Amazing videos as always. As a huge Oasis fan, I know the struggle of imitation lol

[@kelleylmiller]

See, this is why I stopped creating content. Doesn't matter what good you are putting out into the world, people will still be trash in the comments. Your channel is awesome. You are awesome. And, I learn a lot from you. Keep up the good work!

[@metrowater2819]

Focus on What u love, not the negative people.

[@kelleylmiller]

@@metrowater2819 I appreciate that. I do. Thank you for the encouragement. 💚

[@croay]

This was so nice to watch, the research you put into it and the editing were on point man! Congrats and thanks for the content :)

[@indivisibleman]

There's only 12 notes in western music folks. It's hard to believe how many variations we've managed to come up with as it is. Both of those songs are astonishing.

[@redbrown7355]

Prince's "Purple Rain" is Journey's "Faithfully" no doubt about it. And he's not even covering it up very much. Prince is a musical genius, so anybody will do it if he does it. And we, as the consumer is okay with it, as long as it's a great song.

[@bsquared4604]

i think prince admitted that to neil schon or jonathan cain. I recall that in an interview with one of them.

[@redbrown7355]

@@bsquared4604 Really? I've NEVER heard that before. Now I have to research it.

[@schoolspirit2751]

Both Artists are amazing and making art is all about inspiration and taking ideas from another artist.

[@diggingthegreats]

Couldn't agree more!

[@maybud60]

I remember thinking that Billy Ocean's single Caribbean Queen was clearly inspired by Billie Jean too. Some clubs even mashed the two tunes back in the day.

[@prodjoon-rf2mb]

Those chords don’t lie

[@supernovaempress7311]

Awesome break down! Nice to see someone take the time who has an "ear" for music to stick up for those who continue to try to give Michael Jackson a BAD name , no pun intended, fourteen or so years after the man's been deceased. I have to say that the little mix you came up with near the end, reminded me of "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air's" theme song. 👍🏼

[@arifmemovic3383]

Wow. I can't think of a better music analysis channel. Keep em coming!

[@thedjgrayhat3082]

That mashup that you did at the end … #SheerBrilliance … need a longer version. 😊

[@ltlbuddha]

The Picasso quote is "Good artists borrow, great artists steal" The idea being that when you steal something, you make it your own. Yes, every artists steals (aka is inspired by) but the best produce something that is their own

[@djvoid1]

The bassline 100% comes from 'State of Independence' by Vangelis. Quincy was involved in that one too

[@MusicFromAnotherTime]

A new video? I CAN go for that....

[@ThisIsTheMCZX]

FANTASTIC and Eye Opening! The people’s court deal really made me smile! I learn so much every time you drop a video. Thank you!!!!

[@jerryvahnknight218]

Another great song that came out in ‘84 that borrows from Billie Jean is Billy Ocean’s Caribbean Queen. A killer track from a huge artist at that time that is always overlooked! Billy Ocean is criminally underrated!!!!

[@customjohnny]

I love this video! You explain the eternal cycle of ideas and inspirations the same way that Rick Rubin explains it in his book, The Creative Act 🤘🏼 I agree with all of it! Thanks for the video, as always, homie

[@p.o.p.presents]

I love the musical journey you took us on. Music is a constant stream of symbiosis. It's a cycle that appears to evolve using those same elements. 12 Notes. I recommend Quincy Jones Audiobook by the same name.

[@alexandredesilets4909]

Hey man. Your videos are offf the « scale » in terms of quality. They are funny, clever, well edited, and with real content. Bravo 👏🏻 and keep them coming!!!

[@danielwillliams9669]

It happens - (Janet Jackson - Some Day is Tonight - Pet Shop Boys - West End Girls) or (Ray Parker Jr. - Ghost Busters - Huey Lewis and The News - I want a New Drug) and there are so many more!

[@esTena19]

Hi, hope you read this. Your videos have helped me to not give up my dreams in music. The way you talk about it, how you study it, and even how you metaphor your way through your explanations have given me hope. If people hate, just let'em hate and watch the money pile up. Hope you have a great day

[@stephenmassey9159]

I always knew I was a potato. Love you and Love your work! Thank you for educating me, surprising me and sharing your knowledge, love and passion for music with me. I have found so much new music to enjoy and am able to appreciate the skill and nuances involved in the making of it thanks to you. You’re a musical embassador. Thank you

[@TheReal_Pim_Tool]

Sounds like Michael to tell on himself he was just the most adorable likable person ever.

[@MarsX69]

Not only I Can’t Go For That has been used, but also listen to Do It Again from Steely Dan. In 1983 Clubhouse made this mashup (which became a hit) using both songs, called Do It Again With Billie Jean. Lastly, slowdown State Of Independence intro. Also that has been used as "inspiration" for the bassline.

[@Phyclone]

I just love how much of a labyrinth music is. I know exactly what they are talking about and I love it