Black Crowes Sue Gretchen Wilson Over "Saving Grace" Commercial

Cross-genre lawsuit! The Black Crowes are suing rednecked woman Gretchen Wilson for copyright infringement, accusing Wilson of ripping off their song "Jealous Again" in her promo song "Work Hard Play Harder." Television channel TNT is also named in the suit, as it broadcasts Wilson's "Work Hard" in their commercials for Saving Grace. Also named in the suit were Wilson's publisher and label Sony BMG (way to kick Sony BMG when they're down guys). "We find the musical verses of Wilson's song to be such an obvious example of copyright infringement that I expect all parties to reach a relatively quick resolution to avoid litigation," said Black Crowes manager Pete Angelus. The verses of "Work Hard Play Harder" do bear a striking resemblance to that of 1991's "Jealous Again," but the choruses veers in separate directions. So is it enough to file a lawsuit over? Check out the two songs after the jump and decide for yourself.

Gretchen Wilson - "Work Hard, Play Harder"

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Song Stories

“Oh Sherrie”

Steve Perry | 1984

Steve Perry's girlfriend Sherrie Swafford was actually in the studio when Perry began writing this song--his lone Top Ten hit as a solo act--with two co-writers. The trio began at midnight one night with just "Oh, Sherrie!" and "hold on, hold on." Three hours later, they had a complete song. Swafford, however, had to wait until the next day to hear it. "Sherrie actually got tired and went to bed," Perry said. She also appeared in the video, but their relationship did not hold on for long.

More Song Stories entries »

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