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| Is "Impossible" a rip off of "Ain't no way" |
The first time I heard Christina Aguilera's Impossible it reminded me immediately of an Aretha Franklin classic that I just couldn't put my finger on.
Thinking this would be a simple case of checking the sleeve for the listed sample, and that would be the end of my annoyance, I rummaged around for the Stripped album and checked the credits. Surprisingly, the only person listed as "writer" and "producer" was Alicia Keys.
Going crazy not knowing the Aretha Franklin song I turned to Google for help, but only found articles about the infamous "Makeover/Overload" drama. In the end I turned detective, put on Aretha's Greatest hits and eventually stumbled on Ain't no way.
Admittedly, the songs didn't sound as similar as they had in my head, but they still were similar enough to make me wonder how Alicia Keys had the nerve to claim sole credit for a song that so clearly borrows from another. I suppose the question is when does being inspired by another song- and I'm 99.9% sure Alicia would know Aretha's Ain't no way- tip over into plagiarism?
Do YOU agree that the songs sound a like? Listen to the sample below and judge for yourself.
Introductions:
Christina Aguilera, "Impossible"
Aretha Franklin "Ain't no way"
Verse:
Christina Aguilera, "Impossible"
Aretha Franklin "Ain't no way"
