Pharrell Williams Defends Filing Lawsuit Against Marvin Gaye’s Family for ‘Blurred Lines’

Photo Credit: Facebook
Photo Credit: Facebook

By: Amanda Anderson-Niles

Robin Thicke had a huge summer as the singer finally nabbed the biggest hit single of his career in “Blurred Lines.” The song was easily crowned as the “Song of the Summer” and it managed to hold its position on top of the Billboard Charts for several weeks. While many are happy to see Robin succeed and get the recognition his fans feel he should have received a long time ago, his new surge in success isn’t without the drama. As we recently reported, Robin Thicke and the song’s collaborators rapper T.I. and producer Pharrell Williams have all joined together to sue the family of deceased (and very legendary) singer Marvin Gaye.

The lawsuit was filed for protection reasons, as the Gaye family has accused Robin Thicke and the others responsible for making the song by copying Gaye’s popular single “Got to Give It Up.” Marvin Gaye’s son spoke out about the lawsuit and said he felt Robin was being disrespectful because he copied his dad for most of his career and he feels the family should be compensated. Even though the suit filed was supposed to serve as protection just in case the Gaye family decides to sue for copyright infringement, the Gaye family is still considering filing a lawsuit of their own. While some reports suggest Robin offered to settle with a six-figure amount and the Gaye family declined, it does appear that all parties will be heading to court very soon.

Interestingly enough, Pharrell Williams has spoken out about the lawsuit, and although he emphasized he has a lot of respect for Marvin Gaye, he just doesn’t believe “Blurred Lines” is a copy of “Got to Give It Up.” He tells the Associated Press via ABC News during New York Fashion Week:

“If you read music, all you have to do is read the sheet music. It’s completely different. [Gaye] is the king of all kings, so let’s be clear about that. And we take our hats off to him. But anybody that plays music and reads music, just simply go to the piano and play the two. One’s minor and one’s major. And not even in the same key.”

14 comments

  1. The damn songs don’t sound the same. People are doing whatever they can for attention and money. They did the right thing by suing first.

      1. Girl I tried but I couldn’t get into it. I don’t really like her music! I feel bad because she seems like a great artist. Her music just isn’t for me.

        1. I couldn’t get into it either it is hard to listen to in my opinion. I feel bad because you can tell she worked hard on the album but it’s just not my cup of tea. Out of 19 songs I only liked 2 primetime w/miguel & electric lady everything else I wasn’t feeling.

  2. Pharrell is right. The songs are very different. I had to listen to both a few times. I think the judge will end up shutting down the Gaye family.

  3. Isn’t this what they all say? This is the same thing Vanilla Ice says when blatantly stole the Under Pressure beat. The first thing I thought when I heard that song was Marvin Gaye. I hated that song and I hate this one too.

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