Did Shawn Mendes Steal My Song!? And other questions...

[@MarySpender]

🎸My BEGINNER Guitar Course! maryspendermasterclass.teachable.com/ 🎥Support my work and get EXCLUSIVE videos/music: patreon.com/maryspender 👕My Official Store (SIGNED MERCH): store.maryspender.com/

[@AdamNeely]

copyright striking this thumbnail.

[@humann0x]

And very reasonably so! The nerves of some people...

[@lifeontheledgerlines8394]

I see you're hopping on the 'Adam Neely Anti-clickbait Thumbnail' train! Good for you.

[@MarySpender]

HAHA thanks! Yep learning from the best.

[@briantyson6138]

What the fuck is that? Sorry, I'm old.

[@ckannan90]

Brian Tyson Adam Neely often makes educational or Q&A type videos about music that have an interesting question as the title, and the answer to the question is right in the thumbnail. Many people in the comments have referred to this as Anti-clickbait, because it’s the opposite of clickbait videos and articles that use a question to make you click to learn the answer, which they’ll often hold back till the end. Adam does the opposite and gives an instant answer, and hopefully your curiosity to learn more will make you watch the video anyway.

[@davedavem]

Obviously I know who Mary Spender is, but I'm afraid I've never heard of this Sean Mondays person.

[@youren8]

Rainy days and Mondays always get me down. But Tuesday Talks!

[@martinpaddle]

Haha, same here. And after watching Shawn's video I have no interest in finding out more

[@Deep42Thought]

you are not alone )

[@johnlawlor7931]

This but without the irony

[@Badz_B34chst4r]

Sean Mondays has a nice youtube channel with a weekly Q+A feature called Monday Talks

[@digiscream]

Mary - fun fact: in the UK, it doesn't matter if the artist has heard your song or not. All you have to prove is that a) you wrote it first, and b) they're substantially similar, and you win.

[@thatdrewrivers]

Trouble there is, this guy is famous, apparently (Though I've never heard of him) and this means he probably has a big record company behind him, with a lot of money and a big legal team. They could simply tie this up in litigation until Mary runs out of money and has to drop the case if she pursued it. Sadly, this practice is legal and how most big firms get away with this sort of shit.

[@i8ittoo]

Yes , but he is Canadian, and from i can find recorded in US. So , i doubt they could even get the case to UK courts . It moat likely would take place in US or Canada. But. Maybe not.

[@digiscream]

@@i8ittoo - that's not how it works. If you sue, you sue in your own jurisdiction (which would obviously be the UK). Then, if the subject of your suit wants to do business in the UK (ie sell records), they have to resolve the suit. At that point, it's cheaper to settle.

[@i8ittoo]

@@digiscream well, yeah duh ! Jk

[@drjazz7278]

don't you have to prove exposure ? . i.e. the accused has to have been exposed to the copied work ?

[@hulkslayer626]

Pros and Cons of Social Media... Pro: You put yourself out there. Con: You put yourself out there.

[@ahrenwagner2993]

Shawn Mendes would be smart (and not very cool) if he stole any of your work.

[@MarySpender]

Haha thank you

[@ahrenwagner2993]

@@MarySpender You're welcome :) How can we help get John Mayer on Tuesday Talks?

[@yamahamusicians]

Definitely make that Paul David's thing happen! What a great collab that would be :) Also I think you have already achieved your own very recognisable style and sound. Would recognise your voice and playing anywhere.

[@JurBols477]

Yep do a gig together with PD here in The Netherlands!

[@richdelb]

Been watching your music and videos for a little while now and I really enjoy your forward and honest presentation of your thoughts and your music. Sorry to say I missed you when you were at the Guitar Center in Arlington Heights, Il. recently... very near to me. Bought my first "real" guitar there many years ago. Anyway, keep up the great work. Nice to know that the next generation is continuing the musical journey. Keep up the great work !!

[@shoegazeforever8810]

For the UK, when you write a song place it in a sealed envelop (the difficult to open plastic ones are ideal) then post it to yourself by registered mail to ensure that it has a date on it. For the US you must get the song copyrighted which I think costs around $35 (but you can include more than one song).

[@Jaryth14]

You know, that vocal melody also reminds me a lot of an Imogen Heap thing, too. This is a constant thing with me. We've only got twelve notes to play with, minus what isn't in your whatever key you're working in, so whenever there's a clever way to feather them together, it's a pretty good bet that someone else, at some point, will have or will have had a similar idea. To a certain extent, that's just going to have to be okay because, if it isn't, we eventually won't be allowed to make anything new that sounds more like music than noise. What I hate is when I catch it myself, and one of my own works is ruined for me because I can't get another similar song out of my head.

[@nilsdrecoll8124]

Mary you have such a wonderful voice, so no worries about not been recognized even in the background. Nils from GER

[@noeffnwaypal]

I was in a free style mode one day and recorded a riff that I was really proud of. When I posted it, someone mentioned another song in reference and said it was a nice cover. I checked out the other song (at that time I had never heard of the band in question) and to my dismay, I pretty much nailed the song. Oh well, it happens.

[@briantyson6138]

People who don't play do not understand that. Vagaries of existence.

[@Meme4funBr]

You are a inspiring person. You inspired me to get my guitar and learn new skills all because I like your fingerstyle. Thank you!

[@loganwatterson7308]

"How cool is this hat? Half Acre. My favorite beer." Right after I figured out what the hat says and looked it up to figure out what it is.

[@AOAZPGuitarist]

Love the Half Acre hat!!! That's one of my go to breweries when I'm in Chicago.

[@timodings]

Mary you are awesome! No KZbinr would have given away the Question from the title first- I think that is great and I still watch the whole video. 🙂

[@marlonurriola4763]

Timo Neumann, well Adam “BASS” Neely does this tho

[@raahull04]

Hi Mary, I am subscribed to both Paul Davids and you! A collab would be absolutely awesome!

[@portcullis5622]

Very honest answers. Hope you achieve the success that your talent and cheerful, positive attitude deserve :)

[@iceberglettuce1129]

I just found your channel and it's really inspired me. I've been playing acoustic guitar for a while but I just got my first electric a couple weeks ago and it's so much fun! i just love it! I'm trying to learn as much as I can as fast as I can now so I guess I'm in the beginner honeymoon phase but there's so much joy. I've been thinking about going into music when I'm older which is not something I really considered viable before. Well, that was a lot of oversharing but thank you for your videos. You're rad.

[@heyster3]

Hope you checked out her collabs in 2018. Very fun videos.

[@i8ittoo]

I really think in this day , its hard not to write something that sounds a bit similar to another piece of music. There has been so much written. And in so many ways , it almost impossible not to overlap guitar sounds at this point. But you never know.

[@sterlingayu]

You have a beautiful voice. I hope to hear more of your works soon.

[@Aerospace_Education]

Listened to both. Doubt it was copied. Kind of a fairly common musical idea. Love when you both do it!

[@terrydactylspontaneous2596]

If the Marvin Gaye estate had similar then they would be all over it. I doubt he stole it though. He would have to have been pretty quick to beat Ed Sheeran to it.

[@heyster3]

As a follow up to the Q about going back to school, would you consider studying classical guitar? I recently watched a few videos by Stephanie Jones, who is a classical guitarist, and wondered if you would try it. It pairs well with your classical music degree and her fingerstyle playing reminded me of your guitar playing.

[@joeyguitar2056]

Mary, I was curious about your being a Full Time Musician. Do you simply mean that music is now your sold source of income? I'd be really interested to hear all that it entails. What advice do you have for someone who wants to make this jump? What would be a good early game-plan for someone who doesn't have many other musicians in their given area but wants to make music their career?? Thanks for all the great inspirational content, I have Live In Bristol on CD and hope to catch up my collection with the rest of your catalog.

[@stockwelljr]

Good position and good attitude Mary!! I think you and I both know where that steppingstone melody came from. Best to you!

[@trajtemberg]

Hey Mary, do you happen to sell tabs of your songs? like an ebook or something? Thanks.

[@tinyb69]

I caught your video from Carter's, this last week. Christie and Walter have a great eye for talent. Hopefully you'll be blowing up soon.

[@khogg3581]

I see that Mark Cavendish biography. 👀 🚴 😀

[@calamityjohnny1646]

Ya, I wonder if Mary's into cycling.

[@tincanspaceman]

If you got John Mayer on Tuesday Talks, then he could have you on Current Mood. haha A win-win for you!

[@chascoppard]

You’ll probably get a copyright strike from Shaun Mendes’ publisher for playing your own song

[@FunkyMonkey-ip4xy]

Sadly this is a very real possibility under the current climate.

[@LiamE69]

It doesn't matter if he or his writers have heard your song or not, you still have a very solid claim. I suspect that many lawyers would be queuing up to take it on a no win no fee basis, and the Mendes team would be quite likely to settle out of court pretty quickly. Go on, cash the lottery ticket.

[@BCguitar75]

100 times yes on a collaboration with Paul David’s.

[@TheGMan91100]

Mary ! Come to Vancouver Island ! you will fereakin love it !

[@BigSteveMusic]

I heard this on the radio earlier and thought it was SOOOOO close to your tune!!

[@dripslobber]

Regarding the Mendes issue......How damned refreshing to see someone take the high road and move forward! Just one more reasons I've subscribed.

[@goodcommentman1512]

Paul Davids collab would be great. Also, I’d love to see you do a song with Josh Turner Guitar or Reina Del Cid. Make it happen today please.

[@bronzewand]

Sounds like 3Oh3 "My First Kiss" feat Kesha

[@portcullis5622]

I can honestly say that I had to look up who Shawn Mendes was (and wasn't all that impressed), but I already knew about Mary Spender.

[@gregoryJdykes]

Love the hat Mary

[@nobodyspecial6881]

Your making Tuesdays better for me. Thanks

[@ravenrock67]

Dear Lady Spender, I am eager to hear you do a power ballad. You got a voice that captured 'Sultans of Swing' , and to own a classic such as that song, well, it was powerful. Sincerely, Raven.

[@justinbouchard]

It's too easy for songwriters to just cruise the internet for ideas. Lateral thinking is obviously a thing but a created melody to me IS the song. Hopefully whom ever wrote and produced it is free and clear of ever hearing your work. Love from Canada as always. xoxo

[@johnprince3497]

Peoples everywhere are always impressed in a positive way when you attempt or put up any effort to speak their language. Phrase books are positive things!

[@shoegazeforever8810]

Madonna's favourite beer is Timothy Taylor's.

[@tehuselessguig3138]

Would defo come see you in Paris!

[@tiborkovacs5317]

Finger picking good haha yeah there's only so many notes/scales/rhythms etc so sometimes things sound samey good vids thanks.

[@briantyson6138]

Just as there are really only 7 plots.

[@samhatman6536]

At 13:42 you read a question from Alison Krauss. If that question was from Alison Maria Krauss, I would tour with her. There seemed a small hint of an invitation between the lines. I hope this was not a fake name questioner. It would be a stretch of style and genre for you, but wow what an honor to tour with a legend in the Bluegrass world. I hope it was the real Alison. You are worth it. Thanks for all you do! Sam, a bluegrass picker since 1964. Lol.... I would spontaneously combust if I tried to keep up with professionals of that calibre.

[@youren8]

Led Zeppelin (one of my favourite bands) stole a ton of stuff that they made their own, but did not give credit for the original writing. They were sued by Willie Dixon and lost. So moral of the story give credit to good ole Mary!

[@DamnedEyez]

I spent 5 1/2 minutes trying to figure out what the hat said...

[@CWoodyButler]

lol - same here. I'm STILL not sure what it says.

[@despitetherage]

me too, it says Half Acre. Found the beanie on their website. If you still care and didn't find out already EDIT: Of course she says it like, 30 seconds after I pause the video to post this message.

[@DamnedEyez]

That'd be why I specified 5 1/2 minutes. She says it at 5:23

[@Lionchuck]

Love your videos so much that I had to become a subscriber. I can't help asking: What is in your stack of books?

[@Youaintseenmeright.......]

I haven't a clue who Shawn Mendes is, but all I can say is he must have excellent taste 👍

[@dougeriksen479]

Music is an international language

[@FairlyUnknown]

Shawn Mendes using the same vocal melody as your song may be a coincidence, but I would be more inclined to believe that if it wasn't the same exact rhythm, accents, and tempo... Things like that happen, but meh. Either way you're an amazing musician Mary and it's pretty neat to have something you came up with on such a large stage, it's just unfortunate that you're not the one getting the attention.

[@TrixiLovesYou]

Nike shoelaces are just the worst. Mine also used to come undone just like that, so I stick the loops into my shoes after having tied them. These laces were also the only ones that made a hard knot 80% of the time when I untied them. What the fuck... Never again. Oh, as a German it is unfathomable for me how you could like that language in music.

[@djamilavera7733]

The thing is that in this day and age, EVERYTHING has been done music wise, EVERY chord progressions, EVERY harmonies, absolutely EVERYTHING has been done and redone so yes songs sounding alike is very common . I heard your song and his song and yes it's one line that sounds alike when he finishes the chorus but since there are SOOOOO many musicians, it might as well be possible that he simply thought of the same melody as you rather than blatantly copying you. I don't think it would win if you went all the way to court for copyright since so many songs sounds alike ( lots of pop songs for example). Otherwise everybody would sue everybody since again , everything has been done. I am sure he is not or your not the only one that came up with that chord progression . If the whole song sounded like yours, then it would come down to who wrote the whole melody first but then again, you might get other artists coming forward with their songs sounding the same saying "hold one, I actually, I wrote that song first".. Hope it make sense. I actually just won a copyright claim with someone who used the same loop I did but I actually made that particular track over 5 years ago while his was only one year old. My track sounded nothing like his, we only both though of using the same drum loop so it came down to who wrote it first which I did.

[@Gwyhir]

I think Fleetwood Mac would think that the guitar riff on Sean Mendes song was "off interest".

[@Gwyhir]

OF not OFF !

Ha. I misread your hat as saying “half arse”. Maybe that could be in the merch store?

[@AllisonKraus1]

Didn't you JUST touch down in England? You flipped this video around fast! 13:38 Also hi! Thanks for answering! :)

[@MarySpender]

Why yes. I'm very jetlagged in this video. Forgive me if I make any mistakes!

[@Jopeymessmusic]

Few years down the line, I click on Mary's channel, tune into a mad CrossFit session...😂😂

[@gerryjamesedwards1227]

Totally with you on sung German. I love Schubert's liede.

[@countblue]

Schubert was Austrian (which you probably knew already). Just to point out that a lot of "German" classical Music is actually from Austria and was composed in or around Vienna, Salzburg and Linz (Bruckner). Like Beethoven (who was actually German but lived in Vienna) or Haydn.

[@Markle2k]

A tour with St. Vincent would likely put you in a better position to get that 1 hr sit down with John Mayer.

[@khtnsuwdih]

Well, in my humble musical opinion (25 yrs musician) yours blows the Shawnmeister's effort out of the water...

[@gustavofernandez3411]

great. voice,great guitar player,love your cover music.🤘😎🤘😁

[@Lazy_eye_blobFish]

HI BRITISH PEOPLE! 🧡😊🧡

[@MarySpender]

HI YOU

[@Lazy_eye_blobFish]

@@MarySpender holy shine on Rob Scallon bald head! I could not expect you to respond. You're such a plate lady, thank you for that and God bless.

[@jbuller7]

it would not surprise me if you end up with a copyright strike against you already for the Mendes song the way things are going at the minute. Fingers crossed that you don't. Loving the work

[@charlesplain9409]

How did you like the Cavendish book? :-)

[@persona_p]

Shawns song also sounds similar to why don't we 'these girls '. It's an octave thing I guess

[@brianstrawser5695]

Don't give up on John Mayer.

[@dmcnelis]

+1 for the Half Acre brewery hat!

[@dasveetm4379]

Did you forget to come to lovely New Mexico, USA?? The music scene is soooooo vibrant here. Well, maybe not. But this place is definitely not the UK!!!!

[@bobs.stevenson9704]

its completely possible that a producer or someone heard your song which gave them the inspiration but it happens all the time, borderline impossible to prove too especially a small section. Im still waiting for someone to get a lawsuit started for all the melodic progressions that belong to Bach in music.

[@boraromp]

Please do a beanie-off with Sarah Longfield.

[@justinbouchard]

How was Nashville!?!?!!?!?!?!?!!?!

[@albertomarmi2499]

But...you love Cycling? I see the book of Mark Cavendish!

[@davidozab2753]

Is it worth the debt? From personal experience, no.

[@arieltherealify]

Thats the problem of using allways the same formulas of popular music. It cud hapend.

[@spacemissing]

Social media is a muliple-tube sewer best completely avoided. If THE Alison Krauss (of AKUS) sent you a message, you must be impressing her, which would be no surprise to me.

[@endezeichengrimm]

What is Half Acre?

[@jacko717]

A brewery.

[@Lazy_eye_blobFish]

Shawn Mendes can't sing with Jack squat, how he became popular even on Vine is beyond me. But then again Jacob Sartorius has a singing career to so.

[@MarySpender]

He's not that bad! I think he's quite talented!

[@theshyguy1580]

@@MarySpender he plays hella good piano.

[@Lazy_eye_blobFish]

@@MarySpender I'll give him my horrible autocorrect, I just said he can't sing with Jack so apparently Google thinks he can sing to just not with Jack LOL!

[@curtschmidt3436]

back in Blighty, ay, love?

[@SteveGouldinSpain]

just a thought re: touring, you could do a lot worse than interview Adrian Legg. Not only is he one of Britain's greatest unsung guitar legends but he's been touring around the world largely on his own for the best part of half a century. Few people know more about having valuable guitars smashed to pieces by baggage handlers and doing emergency repairs in cheap hotels than the Leggster!!

[@shawnreed9016]

Another awesome video. 🤠🎸

[@jakobmorningstar]

Song writers have been doing that trick for ages

[@stephenquick3370]

Been watching you for awhile. I think you should tour with Mick and Danish Pete. It would be outstanding!

[@stephenquick3370]

...and bring Adam Neely too.

[@Luciano-nt6wn]

Ciao Mary sei grande un bacione by Brescia Italy 👍🤟

[@MarySpender]

:D

[@gustavofernandez3411]

social media junky are extremely nasty, but it important to cut through the b.s and Read the positive opinions from supportive fans.🤘😎🤘

[@briantyson6138]

Maybe this is weird but she shows the immensity of the foolish, baseless, stupidity of misogyny. Also, I heaven everyone has a British accent. Except the Irish and the Scots.

[@mickdebergerac1143]

Mary Mary…. Quite...… LOL Talking about touring etc. Have you ever heard of a guy called Adam Bomb? That guy does the CRAZIEST touring scheduling I have ever seen. OK not the best paying touring, but it does get exposure and the very least you should get is break even. Check him out. He is very approachable, the music is way different to you and he comes from over the pond, but most of the venues would definitely be suitable for your style. Have a look and see who books his gigs, a thread is all it takes to make a quilt.... Like I said his music and background are way way different, but the venues in UK and Europe would be fine for you. Just a not e as well. He did practically sorted these tours out himself, no booking agent = no fees = more money for the tour!!

[@seanachiescourt6659]

yeh thats what i hate about music copyrights, rules written by people who are not artists and dont know how stuff works... so many people on the planet, alot of them making music and only 12 notes to go arround about... stuff is going to sound similar, maybe 10 people come up with the same stuff and 9 of those we never hear, but all of a sudden youre playing somewhere and its your own song and someone comes up and be legal claiming and you have no idea whats going on... sometimes these rules are to strict and seem to benefit suits more than musicians music is universal, i think its right authors are protected if i write something, it should be known it was me who wrote it, if someone wants to build on that or do another version ye they can be my guest good for them, there shouldnt be rules against it and i shouldnt benefit from their performance either, only mine... thats my opinion but some people want to make millions of other talent so their opinions are different

[@blackbirdpie217]

8:05 Let me guess.. John Mayer?

[@J.B24]

The decision you made yesterday were based on the information you had yesterday.

[@internationalhouseofpancak8333]

,,THOOOSDAY TOHWLKZ!!!"

[@teriscallon]

I love Half Acre!

[@josephmckenna4289]

Are you sure Mary Spender? If you have even one molecule of anecdotal evidence YOU SHOULD SUE HIM. He and his friends or record company the copyright holders will want you to leave all areas where the song is copyrighted. They want the copyright free and clear, and they will use means to keep the copyright free and clear! If you have 1 (one) molecule of evidence YOU SHOULD SUE. -my opinion 10/1/22

[@johnnymossville]

I see a Cavendish Book!!!!

[@CorbCorbin]

It’s not unlikely. That is a beautiful, and catchy part. Does Mendes write his music alone? Of course, I don’t know the guy, and it is more likely to be coincidence, but don’t sell yourself short, it’s possible.

[@Snarkapotamus]

I certainly is. Poor Paul Davids had someone add lyrics to one of his original songs and started hocking it as their own!

[@thisbridgehascables]

You should try to get a Tuesday Talk with Julian Baker.

[@joeljones5613]

That is really similar though