re: so the "stay with me" song was a rip off of Tom petty?

quote:

---

He also got his "Last Dance with Mary Jane" ripped by the Chili Peppers.

---

He didn't take that position with the RHCP song.

Rolling Stone Article from 2006

quote:

---

RS: Have you heard the Red Hot Chili Peppers song "Dani California" yet, because obviously it sounds a lot like "Mary Jane's Last Dance"?

Petty: Yes, I have. Everyone everywhere is stopping me. The truth is, I seriously doubt that there is any negative intent there. And a lot of rock & roll songs sound alike. Ask Chuck Berry. The Strokes took "American Girl"[for their song "Last Nite"], and I saw an interview with them where they actually admitted it. That made me laugh out loud. I was like, "OK, good for you." It doesn't bother me.

RS: There have been news reports that you were going to sue the Chili Peppers.

Petty: If someone took my song note for note and stole it maliciously, then maybe. But I don't believe in lawsuits much. I think there are enough frivolous lawsuits in this country without people fighting over pop songs.

---

Sam Smith (or his handlers) took "I won't back down", slowed it down, and made it more piano based - but "Stay With Me: is nearly a note-for-note ripoff, musically, of the Tom Petty song. I'd sue, too.