Lana Del Rey vs. Radiohead: When Songs Sound Too Similar

By Zuhairah Amni 

In early 2018, a copyright controversy hit the music world when Lana Del Rey revealed that Radiohead’s lawyers were suing her over her song “Get Free,” claiming it sounded too much like Radiohead’s 1993 hit “Creep.”

Lana stated that while “Get Free” was not inspired by “Creep,” she had offered up to 40% of publishing royalties to settle the dispute but Radiohead allegedly wanted 100%.

 
Lana Del Rey - Get Free (Official Audio)

Radiohead - Creep

Is Similarity Enough for Copyright Infringement?

Copyright law protects original musical compositions, including melody, chord progressions, lyrics, and structure. In disputes like this, the key question is:

Is the similarity between the two songs substantial enough to count as copying protected elements?

Listeners quickly noticed that the verses of "Get Free" and "Creep" share a similar chord progression and vocal pattern. But the issue wasn’t just about similarity it was about whether Lana’s song copied the original expression found in Radiohead’s song.

Interestingly, Radiohead has faced a similar lawsuit themselves: in the 1990s, the band had to add songwriters Albert Hammond and Mike Hazlewood to the credits for “Creep,” because it borrowed elements from The Hollies' 1974 song “The Air That I Breathe.” So the same song that was once in legal trouble had now become the basis of a new copyright claim.

What Happened in the End?

Warner/Chappell, Radiohead’s publisher, later clarified that no formal lawsuit was filed and that they had been in discussions with Lana’s team about credit and publishing rights. Despite all the headlines, Lana kept performing “Get Free,” calling it her “personal manifesto,” and the situation seemed to quietly resolve itself behind the scenes.

 What This Teaches Us About Copyright in Music

  • Chord progressions and style aren't always protected by copyright, but melody and lyrics usually are.

  • Inspiration vs. infringement is a thin, blurry line in music. Many songs can sound alike without being illegal copies.

  • Settlements often happen behind closed doors to avoid long, expensive lawsuits and public battles.

  • If your song is inspired by another, consider crediting original artists early to avoid legal risks.


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