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"

• 
  MUSIC The Top 25 Teen Idol Breakout Moments
• 
  MOVIES & TV 'Game of Thrones': The Show Vs. the Books
• 
  POLITICS Matt Taibbi: Facebook IPO vs. Shareholders
• 
  VIDEOS Exclusive: Garbage Rip Through 'I Think I'm Paranoid'

Song Stories

“Smells Like Teen Spirit”

Nirvana | 1991

"Smells Like Teen Spirit," named after a brand of deodorant marketed to girls, was Kurt Cobain's attempt to "write the ultimate pop song," he said, using the soft-loud dynamic of his favorite band, the Pixies. Cobain "had that dichotomy of punk rage and alienation," the song’s producer, Butch Vig, told Rolling Stone, "but also this vulnerable pop sensibility. In 'Teen Spirit,' a lot of that vulnerability is in the tone of his voice." Sadly, by the time of Nirvana's last U.S. tour, in late '93, Cobain was tortured by the obligation to play "Teen Spirit" every night. "There are many other songs that I have written that are as good, if not better," he claimed.

More Song Stories entries »

Twitter