The great "Hotel California" debate.

[Redcloud]

Yes it has been claimed for years that the Eagles HC ripped off Jethro Tulls "We used to know". The Eagles did tour with Tull and the first clip is the Tull song. The second is Ian Anderson from Tull talking about it but accepting it is a great song that the Eagles did albeit based on his music. Have a listen, it is very similar I have to say.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xny0Uj4--tk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMh0FS3rcnA&feature=related

[Ive always been a dreamer]

Well - I've seen those clips before, and I'm glad that Ian Anderson acknowledges that Hotel California isn't plagiarized. I honestly don't hear that much similarity, but I know nothing about guitar chords. If there is any similarity in the chord sequence, I would think it is purely coincidental. Don Felder, who wrote the music to Hotel California, wasn't even a part of the band during the time that the Eagles opened for Jethro Tull.

[WalshFan88]

Gotta agree with Dreamer... They have some slight similarity but in no was is it copying that song at all. I've gotten into some pretty heated arguments about it on YouTube (several people attacking my view) but I fully believe that it is in no way a copy and is just similar. As Dreamer said, Felder wasn't in the band when they toured with Tull.

[sodascouts]

I can hear the similarity. Maybe it was an unconscious thing - Felder heard it on the radio or something, and so something like it popped into his brain when he was fiddling around on the guitar.

[Topkat]

I really don't see them as that similar. I think this has been exaggerated. If Anderson isn't bothered by this, why is anyone else??

[Mrs Frey]

Well, to be honest, I haven't even heard Jethro Tull's song until now, and was completely unaware about this debate.

As Ian Anderson states, the similarity is in the chord sequence, but as far as I'm concerned the similarity stops there. With all due respect, Jethro Tull's song goes on and on with the same structure, whereas "Hotel California" has verses and a chorus, and the chord sequence changes in the latter.

I actually got bored listening to this song - it isn't in the same league as "Hotel California", in my opinion.

[Freypower]

There is a vague similarity in the verse & perhaps even more in the first guitar solo from 3.32 - 4.15 (when compared with the first guitar solo in HC after the lyrics have finished) but I hardly think it's worthy of concern.

[EaglesKiwi]

"It's difficult to find a chord sequence that hasn't been used."
Quite.

The song may very well have influenced Felder, just as many bands influenced the Eagles in many ways - their harmonies, their musical style, and there were many sources of inspiration for their lyrics, ranging from Shakespeare to ex-girlfriends.

The difference between plagiarism and inspiration - in my opinion - is:



does the new work substantially copy the prior work (in this case no, I personally don't think so - it's one chord sequence in the song, and it may even have been used before Jethro Tull given there just aren't that many chords or notes on a keyboard etc to create new music).
Does the new work apply the original in a different way - yes, Anderson talks about a different time signature etc.
Does the new work have a substantial portion of new, original material - hell yes, both musically and lyrically :nod:

[Glennsallnighter]

I play a bit of guitar and don't claim to be an authority but for my tuppence worth, similar guitar chord sequences can be seen in many different songs. Often when I hear a song if I strip out the notes and concentrate on just the chord sequence it can remind me of a totally sdifferent song. So to say that songs are plaigarised based purely on guitar chords doesn't really hold up. JMHO.

[Topkat]

I never even heard that song by Jethro Tull. I doubt Felder copied it. It's not that similar.

[BBKron]

I've never heard of any association between these songs before, and the claim is pretty absurd. Yes, there is a similarity, but not that close.

However, there is another song that definitely did influence the Eagles development of Hotel California, and that is 'Two Hangmen', a 1969 protest song (which was also before Tull's 'similar'-sounding song) by Midwestern Country-Rock Band Mason Proffit. And the Eagles have readily admitted (or at least Frey has in interviews) that Mason Proffit was a big influence on the band, and that Hotel California was actually modeled after Two Hangmen.

I don't know how to embed videos (like others have), but here is a link to the youtube video (which is actually only audio) here:

http://youtu.be/bt2eF1IJtSE

An mp3 of the song is also available for free download at Mason Proffit's website (website link here (http://www.masonproffit.com/)). The song actually has an interesting history. If you've never heard the song before, it may be because just as the song was catching on nationally, it was banned by the FCC from radio play for being inflammatory.

So, no, of course the Eagles did not 'steal or 'plagarize' anything here. But 'Two Hangmen' was surely the musical inspiration for Hotel California, not this little-known Tull song.

[Topkat]

Well, I don't think that song sounds like Hotel California either. In fact it sounds less like it than the Tull song. If Frey says it influenced him, so be it, but I don't see the similarities in the words or the music.

[Ive always been a dreamer]

Honestly, I don't see many similarities either. I can hear slight similarities in the chord sequences in both songs, but not enough to claim that either of these songs was the musical inspiration for Hotel California. I'm interested to hear from some of our musically inclined Borders about this. BBKron, I'm also very interested about what Glenn had to say about how they patterned Hotel California after this song. Can you post a link to the interview or give us a quote of his remarks. I can't recollect him commenting on this, so I'd love to hear/see what he had to say.

[WalshFan88]

I'm interested to hear from some of our musically inclined Borders about this.

As I said before, I think they are similar in the chord progression but it IS very hard to find a progression that is truly never been used. That's why there are so many songs out there that can sound alike. Hang On Sloopy and Twist and Shout for instance as some simple ones. You could even throw "Louie Louie" and "Wild Thing" in there as a similarity. Pretty much the same progression, a little different tempo.

I highly doubt Felder knowingly was inspired by it, let alone "copied" it. I think it's a coincidence, nothing more.

[BBKron]

OK, yes, of course, the similarities we are talking about here are the chords and chord progression used, which are nearly the same (at least for the verse part of the song), and also the guitar picked arpeggio intro lines (on a technical level, HC shifts the key from D major (Two Hangmen) to its relative minor key, B minor, probably because it has a more melancholy sound, but otherwise, same progression). And there is nothing wrong with that. It doesn't take anything away from the brilliance of HC as a song or performance. I'm not saying that anything was copied or stolen, just that Two Hangmen was definitely an influence. They knew the song, liked the sound of it, and Felder used the chord progression for his instrumental demo that the band initially dubbed 'Mexican Reggae'.

Austin, of course, is right, many songs have the same chords and chord progressions, a good chunk of rock n roll is based on only a handful of different chord progressions. It doesn't mean that much. There are many different things that can be done with the melodies, arrangements, etc, that can make the same or similar chord structures into completely different songs. But to suggest that, in this case, the similarity is completely coincidental is also nonsense.

Mason Proffit, headed by the Talbot Brothers, Terry and John Michael, although may not be very well-known these days, were a very active part of and among the pioneers of the burgeoning country-rock movement in the late '60's and very early '70's, along with The Flying Burrito Brothers (with Bernie Leadon), Poco (with Randy Meisner, and later Tim Schmit), and LongBranch Pennywhistle (Glenn Frey and JD Souther), well before the Eagles came together. These guys all knew each other, played at the same clubs, often on the same bills, and were well aware of each other's music. Felder was a good friend of Bernie's, as they went to high school and were in a band together, and also became a part of this loose assemblage of musicians when he came to California in 1972, eventually hanging out with and jamming with the Eagles and other country-rockers (before he joined the band in 1974).

Now, I don't have any direct links or references to exactly what was said or when these particular interviews took place, but this is what Terry Talbot claims on his Mason Proffit website, and this has been generally spread around and referenced at other sites and articles, too:
"Terry Talbot and Mason Proffit recorded five albums on the Warner Bros. label and their opening acts included John Denver, The Doobie Brothers, Steely Dan and Dan Fogleberg. As stated by Bernie Leadon and Glen Frey, “The Eagles were greatly influenced by Mason Proffit and followed the design of Two Hangmen for their Hotel California.”
Later, with brother John, Terry toured as the opening act for The Eagles and earned early recognition as an accomplished guitarist with Glen Campbell, Chad Mitchell and Sonny and Cher."

I don't know much about Felder's personal musical influences, but Glenn and Bernie were definitely fans of and friends with Mason Proffit and the Talbot brothers, certainly knew Two Hangmen, and probably even played it themselves back in those days. And Felder probably had some of the same musical influences and preferences, and was likely aware of the song, if not a fan of it. So, it is no stretch to say that Mason Proffit and Two Hangmen were influences on the band, and HC, in particular. But, again, there is nothing wrong with that, and actually quite an honor for what is now a mostly long-forgotten band, Mason Proffit.

[BBKron]

OK, one other related tidbit I just found when looking up info on Mason Proffit and Two Hangmen. John Michael Talbot (formerly of Mason Proffit), who went on to later success with spiritual and Christian Music, has said that he and his brother (Terry) actually almost joined the Eagles, back in 1975 after Bernie left, but that their strong religious beliefs ultimately nixed the union.

Here is an excerpt from an article from Lubbock Online, Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, Nov.12, 2009, titled "Talbot finds success in choosing to write, play spiritual music":
"John Michael Talbot had tiptoed along the border of rock stardom with his brother, Terry. This followed a stretch in the early 1970s when entertainers ranging from John Denver and Dan Fogleberg to the Doobie Brothers and Mac Davis all had opened for the Talbot brothers’ band, called Mason Proffit. Rather than rock stardom, multi-instrumentalist John Michael Talbot found success as a Christian troubadour, recording 50 albums, being honored with Grammy and Dove award nominations and wearing the mantle of top-selling Catholic singer-songwriter. ...
John Michael was the younger Talbot in Mason Proffit, which released five albums between 1969 and 1974. He played banjo, guitar and pedal steel guitar. Acclaimed musician Earl Scruggs once described him as “the best banjo player I’ve ever heard.”
His brother Terry, however, was the leader of Mason Proffit. The band performed almost 300 concerts per year. But when Warner Bros. Records decided it was time to give Mason Proffit the same push it had given the Doobie Brothers, Talbot said Terry nixed the deal, saying, “I’m tired. I quit.”...
When Bernie Leadon left the Eagles in 1975, another decision would affect the Talbots — one based on their Christian backgrounds.
The Talbots were drifting toward the Jesus Movement. John Michael said, “It was left up to (Eagles members) Don Henley and Glenn Frey. Glenn wanted us to join the Eagles. He knew how good we were and thought it would be cool.
“Frey was the one who said, 'I can’t cut all that Jesus stuff.’ ... So they wound up hiring Joe Walsh — and the Eagles became a rock ’n’ roll band. Terry and I had been into country rock. Obviously, everything worked out good for everybody. Truthfully, I am very grateful."
Here is the full article, for those interested http://lubbockonline.com/stories/111209/fea_515388974.shtml, although what I excerpted is the only part that relates to the Eagles

Wow! This is certainly the first I ever heard about this, and don't know how true it is (may be exaggeration or fondly remembered wishful thinking, like, "Yeah, I coulda been in the Eagles"). I know that they were all friends at that time, but it seems a bit of a stretch considering the Eagles were already heading in a more rock-oriented direction that they would be considering adding 2 hardcore country-rockers (and one of the best banjo players around) to the band at this point. But it is definitely an interesting bit of information. Imagine how different the band would have been if they would have gone this way instead of with Joe Walsh. But I'm sure everyone here will agree with John's overall assessment that "Obviously, everything worked out good for everyone".

Just very interesting, regardless.

[Topkat]

His brother Terry, however, was the leader of Mason Proffit. The band performed almost 300 concerts per year. But when Warner Bros. Records decided it was time to give Mason Proffit the same push it had given the Doobie Brothers, Talbot said Terry nixed the deal, saying, “I’m tired. I quit.”...
When Bernie Leadon left the Eagles in 1975, another decision would affect the Talbots — one based on their Christian backgrounds.
The Talbots were drifting toward the Jesus Movement. John Michael said, “It was left up to (Eagles members) Don Henley and Glenn Frey. Glenn wanted us to join the Eagles. He knew how good we were and thought it would be cool.
“Frey was the one who said, 'I can’t cut all that Jesus stuff.’ ... So they wound up hiring Joe Walsh — and the Eagles became a rock ’n’ roll band.

How is it that none of this has been mentioned in the books about the Eagles. I have read 3 books about them, & these guys were never mentioned, (especially the part about Glenn wanting them to join the Eagles.) Joe had been touring with the Eagles & was also represented by Irv Asoff, who recommended him to join the Eagles. At the time, when Bernie left the band, they agreed that they were going to go with a harder rock direction. (Which is in part what the disagreements were about with Bernie)
Joe has said in an interview,(that was posted here someplace) that he was in the Eagles before he really joined the Eagles & had been jamming with them on the road, as they toured together.

You also say in this statement that "Glenn wanted us to join the Eagles...
"Frey was the one who said,"I can't cut all that Jesus stuff." ????? I don't get this statement.

I'm just a bit skeptical about the part where they say they almost joined the Eagles. Just my opinion.

[VAisForEagleLovers]

I have to admit to being skeptical as well. First, the article talks about growing up Methodist and rebelling against that. Then the bit about the Eagles. Then taking out time to explore various religions including Buddhism, Judaism, Hinduism, and those of Native Americans. Then Christianity and becoming Catholic in 1978.

It's been pretty well documented that basically, Bernie left one day, Joe was asked to replace him the next day. Or a similar timeline. Glenn has often said there was no question and none others considered. Hmm.

[Freypower]

Total wishful thinking; it has never, ever been mentioned by anyone in the Eagles.

[sodascouts]

It would be nice to have a source outside of the Talbots themselves to confirm such claims. It does seem improbable that they were on the verge of joining the Eagles and Joe Walsh was only considered after the Tabolts were rejected. That claim goes against a number of reputable sources, in fact, which all state Joe Walsh was pretty much in the bag when Bernie left (note that not just Joe himself says this) - and that they were interested in Joe from the outset precisely because he would enable them to be more rock-oriented. The last thing they would want to do is add folk-oriented musicians like the Talbots at that point. This also makes me dubious about their claim that the Eagles based Hotel California on their song.

[Ive always been a dreamer]

When Bernie Leadon left the Eagles in 1975, another decision would affect the Talbots — one based on their Christian backgrounds.
The Talbots were drifting toward the Jesus Movement. John Michael said, “It was left up to (Eagles members) Don Henley and Glenn Frey. Glenn wanted us to join the Eagles. He knew how good we were and thought it would be cool.
“Frey was the one who said, 'I can’t cut all that Jesus stuff.’ ... So they wound up hiring Joe Walsh — and the Eagles became a rock ’n’ roll band.

Well - the reason I asked to see what had been written or said is about this is because I have read every book that has been published about the band (at least, that I am aware of) and I have also never heard any mention at all of this. Every account I have ever read is pretty much the same ...

During the last few months/weeks that Bernie was in the band, it was becoming increasingly apparent that his days with the band were numbered. After the "beer over Glenn's head" incident in early December '75, that pretty much sealed Bernie's exit. On December 20, 1975, the announcement came in a press release from Irving Azoff that Bernie was leaving and was going to be replaced by Joe. So Joe had been approached beforehand. Glenn was the one that was adament about Joe being Bernie's replacement, while Henley was rather reluctant to bring Joe in. But with Glenn and Irving (who managed Joe as well) both pushing for Joe, they won out.

Don Felder's account in his book 'Heaven and Hell' is consistent with this. He writes on Page 154, "No other candidates were suggested, and Joe Walsh was given his greatest Christmas present on a plate - membership in the Eagles".

[EaglesKiwi]

...On December 20, 1975, the announcement came in a press release from Irving Azoff that Bernie was leaving and was going to be replaced by Joe. So Joe had been approached beforehand. Glenn was the one that was adament about Joe being Bernie's replacement, while Henley was rather reluctant to bring Joe in. But with Glenn and Irving (who managed Joe as well) both pushing for Joe, they won out.

Don Felder's account in his book 'Heaven and Hell' is consistent with this. He writes on Page 154, "No other candidates were suggested, and Joe Walsh was given his greatest Christmas present on a plate - membership in the Eagles".
If Henley was uncertain about Joe fitting into the band, then others may have been considered - and given that Felder himself has claimed repeatedly that "the gods" were making all the decisions, it's possible no candidates would be suggested to Felder & Meisner except their final choice.

Of course, this doesn't mean that the Talbots WERE seriously considered, just that it's possible. And, it's not necessarily surprising that we don't know about it.

[chaim]

The verse chords are basically the same (slightly different voicings here and there), one chord is different. But the songs are rather different. However, I think that Charlie Daniels Band really DID copy the Tull song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ooTmF4Ow1mE

[Topkat]

If Henley was uncertain about Joe fitting into the band, then others may have been considered - and given that Felder himself has claimed repeatedly that "the gods" were making all the decisions, it's possible no candidates would be suggested to Felder & Meisner except their final choice.

Of course, this doesn't mean that the Talbots WERE seriously considered, just that it's possible. And, it's not necessarily surprising that we don't know about it.

I think if someone other than Joe was being considered, Felder & Meisner would have had some idea of it. Even if they weren't "consulted" about Bernie's replacement , I think they would have had some clue, & not been totally in the dark about it, especially Don Felder, who would be doing guitar jams with the new guy.

Maybe these guys had some discussion with Glenn or Don, but it was probably just talk, nothing more. I doubt there was any serious offer on the table..
__________________

[Ive always been a dreamer]

EK, I have to agree with TK here. Of course, anything is possible, but we can speculate forever about the possibilities. Maybe all the guys were sitting around jamming and getting high one night and Glenn said "Hey man, you guys are awesome ... you should join the Eagles." Who knows what really went down?

However, there are several reasons why I don't believe it's probable that there were any serious offers made to these guys. Never once has their story been told or corroborated publicly by anyone else that any of us hardcore fans are aware of. In addition, Joe had been brought on to perform live with the band as early as October, 1975 (I believe those dates are correct, but I could be a little off there). And most importantly, as Soda said in her earlier post, why would Glenn make an offer to these guys when the direction that he wanted to take the band was completely opposite of the type of music these guys were performing? To me, that just doesn't make sense. JMHO

[EaglesKiwi]

I wouldn't think there was anything as far advanced as an offer being made. However, I do think Glenn and Don were probably observing all the musicians around them and commenting on their ability.

Possibly in some cases even considering who could fill in should someone be off sick etc - for example we know Jackson Browne filled in for Felder when his wife was having their first baby. (Do I remember JD Souther performing with them too?) Glenn & Don might have discussed who else could fill in if somebody left (and this could have been well before Bernie finally quit if there had been "disharmony" in the band).

With Joe's solo career they may have been unsure of his willingness or commitment to joining the Eagles.

But in terms of the timing of considering the Talbots - it would make more sense if it was well before Bernie left. That's not what the comment implied, though. :shrug:

[GlennLover]

JMHO, but I don' think that they would want two new members, both for musical & financial reasons.

[Freypower]

And as others have commented not a word has been said about this before. I had never even heard of these people.

[Topkat]

GlennLover & Freypower; I agree with both of you. They wouldn't take on 2 people to replace Bernie, & I also never heard of them!
I think this whole thing is something they just imagined when they were high...LOL:roll:

[7BridgesDH]

Just remember... all musicians are just repackaging the same 12 notes.

[thin air]

I just joined this group because I followed all the country rock groups of the early 70's and had a slightly enhanced perspective as John Michael Talbot and Tim Ayers of the group Mason Proffit were kids in the junior high we attended on the eastern outskirt of Indianapolis, IN. It was a year later (1969) that their first album "Wanted" was released- when JMT was 15 and T-Bone (Tim Ayers) was 16 years old. It featured the tunes "Two Hangen" and "Its Alright". The similarity of "Its Alright" and the Eagles first hit "Take It Easy" were palpable. Mason Proffit shamelessly melded rock with Bluegrass (and every other uniquely American influence)- the banjo and a hard rock rhythm section hadn't really been tried before. Can you name an example? When I first heard "Take It Easy" in 1972 the MP influence was unmistakeable. I am not a musician but all my musician friends would comment when I would turn them on to Mason Proffit that their tuning and chord structuring was very unique. JMT and Terry Talbot wanted to record with Leland Sklar and Russ Kunkle for their 6th album as they felt they had a better feel for accompanying acoustic arrangements- no doubt artistically valid from their perspective but the result lacked the dynamics of drummer Art Nash and bassist Tim Ayers. Art and Tim had definite chops and the skills and groove of the fusion jazz/rock players that were about to emerge. It is very important to note that in 1974 the Talbot Brothers (JMT and Terry Talbot) toured extensively with the Eagles not just as an opening act. They were covering the aforementioned 6th album. Yes, they would open with an acoustic set but the Eagles members would gradually add to the set, meld completely, the Talbots would leave, then re-emerge for the encore songs. The touring no doubt led to a great deal of jamming and sharing. Prior to Mason Proffit, the group was known as the Sounds Unlimited and covered the entire 1960s waterfront, and as a ballad is a ballad, "Two Hangman" also sounded a little like Donovan's "Atlantis" to me. Pull up MP's "Its Alright" on youtube and you may wonder why there isn't more discussion on it in terms of being a seminal influence....

[Musicfan]

Well - I've seen those clips before, and I'm glad that Ian Anderson acknowledges that Hotel California isn't plagiarized. I honestly don't hear that much similarity, but I know nothing about guitar chords. If there is any similarity in the chord sequence, I would think it is purely coincidental. Don Felder, who wrote the music to Hotel California, wasn't even a part of the band during the time that the Eagles opened for Jethro Tull.

I have watched and listened to many interviews that Don Felder has given about his time before, during, and after the Eagles. He describes how before he joined the band he was good friends with Bernie Leadon and he would be invited to their concerts, and "hang out" with them. He says he saw them several times and during one interview he describes seeing them open for Yes in 1971 in Boston, but they were also opening up for Jethro Tull in 1972. So there is no doubt in my mind that Don Felder heard "We Used To Know" before he joined the Eagles and before he wrote Hotel California. However Ian Anderson is such a class act and describes the situation perfectly. The Eagles wrote a great song with some inspiration from We Used to Know.

[thelastresort]

He may have heard it, however I've also no doubt that Felder also heard several hundred if not thousands of songs in the Seventies, so unless it really stuck in his mind I can't see why he'd keep that one close in particular. Further, if he'd heard it back in 1972/73, why did it take him three or four years to record it as a demo (when by the sounds of it he pulled off tape after tape of them) to pass onto Don H. and Glenn, if he was so inspired why didn't he bring it to the table sooner or record it earlier for himself? I'd also be willing to bet that the plethora of demos, jamming, noodling and whatever else he did on guitar meant that inevitably he was going to come up with something that sounded like something already recorded - there are only so many chords, progressions, keys, tempos and tunings in the world.

[UndertheWire]

You know how it usually takes a few hearings before a piece of music takes hold in your brain? Perhaps part of the appeal of "Mexican Reggae" was its familiarity for Don H and Glenn without them realising why it was familiar.

[Musicfan]

He may have heard it, however I've also no doubt that Felder also heard several hundred if not thousands of songs in the Seventies, so unless it really stuck in his mind I can't see why he'd keep that one close in particular. Further, if he'd heard it back in 1972/73, why did it take him three or four years to record it as a demo (when by the sounds of it he pulled off tape after tape of them) to pass onto Don H. and Glenn, if he was so inspired why didn't he bring it to the table sooner or record it earlier for himself? I'd also be willing to bet that the plethora of demos, jamming, noodling and whatever else he did on guitar meant that inevitably he was going to come up with something that sounded like something already recorded - there are only so many chords, progressions, keys, tempos and tunings in the world.

Of course Felder, other members of the Eagles and every other musician in the world hear many many songs, and some of that music influences them either consciously or subconsciously. The influences can manifest themselves at anytime during the creative process which includes "jamming, noodling and whatever on a guitar." It happens all the time. Even Felder talks about this in his many interviews, when he discusses inspiration, and influences on creative ideas. People say that because Felder was not with the Eagles when they opened for Jethro Tull he could not possibly be influenced by the song "We Used to Know". This is simply not the case.

[chaim]

My answer to the question "why didn't Felder write the HC demo sooner if he was so inspired by WUTK when he heard it": This is not how the subconscious works. Subconscious can drag ages old stuff to your consciousness, and you don't remember that you actually heard them somewhere. You think you just came up with them. Then, ten years after that, you put on an obscure record you haven't listened since your teens, and you go "So THAT'S where I got it from". This has happened to me COUNTLESS times.

I'm not saying that Felder was inspired by WUTK, but the years in between don't prove that he wasn't.

A great point from Musicfan, by the way - Felder seeing the band live before he joined them. I'd never thought of that.

[thelastresort]

My answer to the question "why didn't Felder write the HC demo sooner if he was so inspired by WUTK when he heard it": ...

I meant if he was to use more as to plagiarise than be inspired by, which whilst not expressed on here is the way some people seem to see it. Of course, it could stick in his mind and come out countless years later, however if he was to think 'That sounds good, I'll have some of that' then I don't get why he'd wait so long and put it amongst several dozen other takes.

[Musicfan]

I meant if he was to use more as to plagiarise than be inspired by, which whilst not expressed on here is the way some people seem to see it. Of course, it could stick in his mind and come out countless years later, however if he was to think 'That sounds good, I'll have some of that' then I don't get why he'd wait so long and put it amongst several dozen other takes.

I believe most people don't feel he plagiarized the song. Anyway, if Ian Anderson has no issue with it than I don't think anyone else should.

[chaim]

I meant if he was to use more as to plagiarise than be inspired by, which whilst not expressed on here is the way some people seem to see it. Of course, it could stick in his mind and come out countless years later, however if he was to think 'That sounds good, I'll have some of that' then I don't get why he'd wait so long and put it amongst several dozen other takes.

Ok. Sorry, I got it wrong.

[chaim]

This is the song Ian Anderson should hear: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ooTmF4Ow1mE&index=5&list=PL079AE9455A1D9B95