dougzuck.com

You are an idot. Michael Buble has such a big fan base so he must be doing something right. If you listen to interviews of his you will know that he has never tried to say that all the songs he has recorded are his own. He is fantastic and How on earth have you never heard of him you need to go back to whatever planet you are from and stay there.

Marie – just because he admits that he’s unoriginal doesn’t make his song any good. I think the guy has a solid voice, and very nice tone, he just lacks in the songwriting department. The problem is that not only did he and his co-writers write a bad song, but they also ripped someone off in the process. He should just stick with good cover songs and worry about the part that he’s good at, which is the singing. Leave the song-writing up to others, or if he really wants to write some music, the least he could do is not steal it.

Funny, but I had a similar experience. I was in northern Va listening to the vomit inducing 92.5. Winc fm (where every song sucks) and I heard Michael Bubles song come on. Here’s the weird thing: they played it immediately following Love Song. So I immediately noticed the similarity. I don’t know if buble intentionally copied love song but they do have similarities. My question is: why is this song popular? As of today it’s 24 on billboard. I can’t even fit this song into a known genre. Moreover it’s terrible. Is this what music has come to?

I noticed that the opening riff was identical the first time I heard Michael Buble’s song. However, the rest of the song is different enough that I wouldn’t hold it against him too much. – Arunabh Das

I did a quick google search with for “write you a love song” and then “Haven’t met you yet” because I didn’t know the artist or title for either. Then googled both there names and found this. I was curious to see how many other people picked up on the seemingly obvious similarities to these songs. Glad I’m not the only one who noticed. Interesting to know which came first. I’m not familiar enough with either of them to know which is which in the beginning, the first few bars are so alike! oh well. It’s not the first nor last time this will happen!!!

People… the only thing in the piano riff in these two songs that is similar is the rhythm — not the chord progressions or voicings. This sort of “borrowing” of riffs goes on in music all the time. How many hit songs from the 50′s and 60′s were 12-bar blues tunes, all of which used the same I-IV-V progressions and sometimes even the same melodies? Or look at similarities in Slash’s opening “Sweet Child of Mine” riff to Alex Lifeson’s opening “Xanadu” riff. Guitarists borrow riffs from each other all the time (and they all will openly admit it). The late, great Jeff Porcaro said he lifted (“stole” — his words) the drum riff in Toto’s “Rosanna” from Bernard Purdy and John Bonham. Sara’s tune is catchy and great, and (I think) so is Michael’s. “Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery…” (someone said it).

I admit it. I did rip it off. Sorry everyone. :(

Yeah people can go ahead and say Sarah Bareillas is a god and her music is original, however Michael Buble is regarded as the better artist.

Guys like Eric Clapton, who are recognised as the greatest musicians of the past 40 years weren’t completely original, they got alot of their ideas from homeless people trying to make a living playing a guitar under a bus shelter. The Beachboys – the second greatest band ever improvised alot of their rifts and solo’s from chuck berry etc

My opinion, the writer is a moron who hasn’t even studied music.

I totally agree with you. For the past few weeks I’ve been having to listen to this incessantly repeating radio station and every time this song came on I was like, “Who is this jacka$$??” because it sounded incredibly similar to what I remember Sarah’s song sounding like a couple of years ago. I finally got myself to google it and when I realized it was Buble I was surprised because, he is indeed a legitimate (asterisk, now) artist with a strong following, as was mentioned. Bottom line though, I think less of him now, and I can’t stand that damned song. Thanks for opening up this post so that we could all vent our frustration. I feel better.

I first heard this song on the radio a few months ago. I assumed, wrongly, that the same producer who did “Love Song” for Sara Bareilles worked on this piece. There are way too many similarities to simply brush this off as mere coincidence. Granted, I don’t care for Buble that much (he’s Canadian – what a loser! lol j/k) but still, he ripped off her song and hopefully more people catch on to this. Please, no mean comments – I taught myself the synth/keyboard/piano……this song is almost a carbon copy.

You people need to get out more.
Everyone is ripping off other artists, when did you last hear something Really original?

The piano riff is pretty similar. I have to say that my opinion is neutral, since I think that both artists are utterly dire. Just my 2 cents.

I always pretty much did think he copied her song. Too bad since this is the only site that would share their feelings about it. Either way, it would have been nice for him to just get his own piano riff. :(

michael buble is a fraud. his music shows no originality.

Michael Buble is an embarrassment to Canada and any musician worth their salt. He’s little more than a Sinatra tribute band and a bad one at that. He’s unoriginal, can’t sing on key and is such a pretentious f*ck. I just don’t get how anyone except an alzheimers-afflicted 80 year old could think this idiot is good !

I don’t like either one of them. But I’ve gotta give kudos to Michael because the first thing I thought when I heard “I just haven’t met you yet” is that Michael wrote a “song response” to (and maybe even a parody of) Sara’s “Love song”, intentionally making it sound similar, and writing lyrics that are in direct response to the lyrics from “Love song”…..almost as if he’s the guy she sang to, so then he responded.. So basically in her song, she’s bitching about a guy she was in a relationship with, putting him in his place, maybe even dumping him, and then Michael comes out with this song that at first sounds like he’s sweet talking to her and trying to make amends and win her back, but HEY! It turns out he’s only sweet talking because it’s not even HER that he’s talking about. In fact, it turns out he’s not even acknowledging her at all. He’s talking about his ideal chick that he hasn’t met yet. LOL. Sarah Bareilles = owned

I absolutely agree. I heard his song, and I thought it was a Sarah Bareilles Cover, until the hideous vocals came in! Okay, they’re not hideous, but still. HE’S A RIP OFF. AND I TRULY DISLIKE HIM.

I really like Bublé covers, and have been a fan of his for a long time. Unlike some people here, I think it’s a good thing to have new artists revitalize old hits. You don’t have to write an original song to be an original performer. His version of “Feelin’ Good” is 10 times better than the “original.” I’ve gone to concerts of his, and can say that he is a great entertainer whose vocal talent and stage presence has legitimately earned his following/fan base.

That said, this song of his is not good, and I agree that it is a blatant rip-off of Sara Bareilles’ “Love Song.” I am really, really disappointed in him for the release of this single.

I think the only original song of his that I actually like is ‘Lost.’

One thing is the same chords progression, you can’t call someone a rip-off just cause they used the same progression… As a musician, you’re bound to play a chord progression someone else has already used. But the thing is, not only the song in discussion has the same progression (although in a different scale), but also the the same rhythm, well, at least in most part of the intro riff. The first time i heard Michael’s song I thought “a reply to Sara’s song?, it’s pretty similar in some terms and lyrics have some kind of ‘answering’ feeling to it”. Won’t say Michael’s a rip-off because I don’t have proof nor arguments, but I will point out one thing: if your song just reminds people of another song, you’re not going anywhere as a musician but rather as a tribute player

Ok whatever you wonna think dude. 1st of all Michael Buble is an awesome singer, he don’t suck ok, that just proves to me you hate his guts and are jealous of him. If ever there was a singer to say they suck it would be Justin Bieber, sure he can sing, but he is big headed and has got it in his head “He’s Da Man!” But you bashing Buble for sumin like this when it’s only mainly the beginning dude chill out. When I 1st heard it I thought dam why did he go with that song. Now it’s one of my favourite songs to date. I only like swing and some pop and yes Michael Buble is my favourite singer but dude there are many other artist out there who do suck and Michael Buble is flat out not one of them!

Why would he rip her off? She sucks.

OK, seriously? That piano riff is a pretty natural, easy progression of chords. I like Sarah Bareilles, but she’s probably not the first person to use a piano progression that sounds like that, and neither she, nor Michael will be the last.
Also, I’m guessing in the months since you wrote this, you’ve heard a lot more about Michael Buble, and that “Just Haven’t Met You Yet” became wildly popular, and I hope you feel as ridiculous as you sounded in this post. Again, I like Bareille’s “Not Gonna Write You a Love Song,” but Michael Buble’s song is definitely better as a whole. More complex, more moving, more fun, etc. And that radio station, 107.3? I’ve heard both songs played on there with frequency. It’s not like anyone’s trying to hide Sarah’s song and replace with it Michael’s. Get a hold of yourself, you very angry little person.

Doug,

You need to get out more,… really.

Your opinion that Buble sucks is obviously your opinion. From a talent perspective, the guy has a great voice, albeit probably not one in your genre of music choices. You should at least admit the guy can sing, even if you don’t like his music. Must be doing something right to have built such a large a fan base.

Hey I totally agree. I was listening to Pandora in a different tab, and heard the Buble song start. My mind was expecting to hear “Love Song” I have heard both songs before but didnt notice the similarity until just now so I immediately googled ‘buble baralles’ and after google corrected my spelling I found your blog. Buble just inverted the riff. It’s pop music no one expects it to be deep or original but I’m glad I am not the only one who noticed.

Have you seen the more blatant travesty?? Check this out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T2dPA2dCRNY

It’s hilarious. California Girls and Tik Tok mash up

I really don’t think anybody in this entire thread of comments is wrong or misguided, but I will definitely say that you are all entitled to your opinions but my own opinion is very far from the general consensus.

First, it’s pretty arrogant to say an artist plain sucks, especially when these two are fairly successful. If you don’t like the artist, there’s no problem with that, but at least have a little respect for the talent the rest of the public acknowledges that these artists have.

Both Bublé and Bareilles are very talented artists, although while some of their songs fall under pop, they would be much better classified as Lounge singers. Having a Jazz and singing career in my life gives me a big appreciation for their talents.

Now some people are dead set in saying “OH MY GOD! BUBLÉ RIPPED OFF BAREILLES!” To which I reply with “Get over it!” Take a moment to think about it. The chord structure is similar, but not identical, and the chords were different. If we were really that critical on how similar one song is with another, we would never progress from one generation to another. Listen to the past 20 years in music. There’s at least 20% of it that sounds similar to eachother. Besides, I’ve looked over this song a dozen times using different backgrounds and because this song has a lounge/pop feel to it, anything else doesn’t make a whole lot of sense.

If you want to complain about unoriginality, take it up with the hip-hop artists that are taking original works and utterly butchering them to show off a fairly generic and repetative percussion base. You have Jay-Z ripping off “Forever Young”, Kanye West ripping off “Harder Better Faster Stronger”, Black Eyed Peas ripping off “Time of My Life”. The list goes on and on.

The main point here is to at least appreciate an artist for their talent. Nobody truly sucks. Only those who lack inside resort to lashing out on everyone. And it’s a good thing to avoid being a Perez Hilton type of person.

I love Michael Buble. He’s been around longer than Sara, and I highly doubt he heard her very common chord progression and thought “Aha, the break I’ve been waiting for!” The fact is, if you know anything about composition, and more specifically voice leading, you will know there are not actually that many options that all chords, by nature, tend to go in one direction or another – that’s how people’s ears hear them, and that’s how they compose music. Thus, there are not actually that many options for chord progressions in a major key – especially not in pop music, where verses and choruses are short and repetitious. So, did Michael Buble “copy” Sara Bareilles? I doubt it. I am guessing that he did, however, compose a song with a set of chords, knowing full well those chords have likely been used countless times in other songs. Seriously, go listen around, and you’ll find them. They show up all over the place. The reason you noticed it here is that both songs start out with the chords largely highlighted and isolated, done by a piano, and used as an intro. Which still isn’t all that rare, but a bit more so I am sure.

Seriously Doug you haven’t done your research properly. If you had, you would discover that in fact, Sarah ripped off Brian Wilson’s opening chord progression(and rhythm) from his hit “god only knows” . I think all three songs are great in their own way, but not only have you not done your research you also fail to realize that neither Sarah nor Michael have committed plagiarism. If so then, Brian Wilson would have been sued for rippIng off Chuck Berry, or, in the case of “god only knows”, JS Bach.

That’s where your wrong… I am talking about the rhythm moreso than the chords. Listen carefully to the bassline in the intro. In terms of getting ones ears checked mine work perfectly. I think it’s a stretch to make a claim such as you have, whilst at the same time deny the existence of similarities to other songs. Petty at best.

Its completely different the chords,not the same tune,
you people get a life or study music…like the piano dude….
buble sucks,bareilles(aka blossom)sucks also….

Okay. So you think that Michael Buble needs to rip Sara Bareilles off to make a hit song. Absurd!!! Buble is clearly the more accomplished artist. 10, 20 years from now, he will still be a relevant artist who gets better as he matures. His arrangements are so well done, hard to not like his music. Every song is internalized. He makes it his own, without dishonoring the original version. That’s very hard to do. Usually when people make the kind of comments like some of these, it’s out of jealousy and ignorance. I’m an African American singer, and I know singers. I totally dig this guy. He can swing from pop to jazz, and of course the standards, effortlessly. Can Sara do that? No. Nothing against her, but c’mon. Finally here are two things that can define a career. Sold out concerts, and one name recognition. When someone asks if I’m going to see “Buble”, I know EXACTLY who thery’re referring to. Am I going to see “Sara?” Need I say more? P.S. The chords are NOT the same, and you have no ear for music!

Ironically, I got here because I Googled ‘Sara Bareilles sucks’ out of curiosity (I’m a fan). I can’t agree with you more, Doug. However, I do not find Bublé’s song quite as vomit-inducing as you seem to. Kind of catchy, actually (proably because it’s a Love Song rip-off). But other than that, it is a disgrace and proably just another pot shot at fame by the great Michael Bublé. As for the ‘Exhibit A’ that you posted, I noticed that almost all of the audience is well past their 30′s and he looks either very depressed or drunk (maybe both). Where I live, people rarely mention him (because weird looks will be given to you if you did).

Yeah, it’s the same rhythm, but that’s about it. Both are clearly inspired by bouncy rhythms from 60s pop. Melody is the key. You cannot plagiarize a rhythm, only a melody. Otherwise Bo Diddley would be owed a LOT of money.

And frankly, lyrically Sara Bareilles writes the same song every time: how she is blameless and whoever she is writing about is bad, bad bad.

hey, i’m sara bareilles’ fan, and i wonder if she made her new music video “Gonna Get Over You” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUe3oVlxLSA , similar to Michael Bublé’s “Just Haven’t met you yet ” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1AJmKkU5POA&feature=channel_video_title
in order to give him a feedback, of what he has done with her?
is quite similar…

As the story goes, he actually asked his pianist to write something like that song after hearing it and and then they would add some kind of trumpet solo to add a beatles thing to the song (to make it more original?). Why would someone pick a popular song and copy it? Precisely because it was popular. This happens everyday and no one who listens to radio either knows or cares. It’s definitely not a coincidence and the reason I know is because I know the people who wrote it personally. This is the way the music business works, thats why its a business. Why would a radio station play it? Because they all follow the leader and MB, with the help of Warner Bros., pays ungodly amounts of money to position their music so it doesn’t matter if anyone likes it. You will hear it enough that you will have to like it. It is a sad state of affairs

Buble’s live performances are actually more impressive than his album tracks. There’s a lot more heart put into the music and a huge amount of energy that just can’t be conveyed after hours in a recording studio. Doug, I understand that you are entitled to your opinion, but merely because he samples from other artists or is influenced by them does not mean it is a rip off.

One of the best quotes my trumpet teacher ever told me was “There is no such thing as original music.” He was right. All music is taken from a chromatic scale and arranged in different ways. If you’ve ever taken a philosophy class, it may interest you to ponder the idea that thought, too, is a an arrangement of various experiences taken from life. Thus, two people that have similar experiences may come to the same conclusions without ever meeting each other. Sara and Michael have similar musical styles and it’s possible they could have listened to the same music growing up. They’re both young and most likely have similar influences.

Ergo, it’s not a stretch to come to the conclusion that they compiled their songs based on their chosen style of music. The piano riff is a pretty simple one and I don’t think it’s reasonable to say that one simple piece of a song is grounds for calling it a rip off.

I love Michael Buble and I respect Sara Bareilles immensely and I doubt either of them would like their fans tearing each other’s heads off. It’s just as pointless as arguing over the quality of Beethoven over Mozart. Enjoy the music and respect both as true artists.