Did Daft Punk Steal ‘Get Lucky’ From a Korean YouTube Star?
Daft Punk's dance anthem 'Get Lucky' (featuring Pharrell Williams) was certainly one of the hottest songs of the summer. But was it an original song? Some music fans are accusing the robotic production duo of stealing the tune from a Korean YouTube star.
According to International Business Times, a Reddit user posted a video from a Korean guitarist named Zack Kim who uploaded a video on YouTube in 2011 called 'Robot Dance.'
Kim is a YouTube star who's famous for playing two guitars at the same time. He's gained some popularity through his videos with guitar-playing covers of 'The Simpsons' theme song and the jingle from the Super Mario Bros. video game.
Watching Kim's 'Robot' video, the guitar riffs are catchy and resemble Daft Punk's disco-inspired grooves, but we think it's just a happy coincidence -- nothing more.
However, fans are demanding Daft Punk compensate Kim for stealing his song.
Bonnie Hayes, the chairperson of the songwriting department at Boston's Berklee College of Music, says there is no plagiarism involved and the outrage is unfounded.
According to Hayes, the only similarity that can be found between the two songs is their chord progression.
"The tempo is close, but even the rhythmic structure is different,” she says. “All I hear is the chord progression in common."
This song quagmire is almost similar to Robin Thicke's legal tussle with the Marvin Gaye estate. The R&B crooner recently filed a lawsuit to protect 'Blurred Lines' against the Gaye family who claim that Thicke copied the late soul crooner's song, 'Got to Give it Up.'
Although both tunes sound alike, they use different musical elements. If the case goes to trial, a judge will have to decide if any infringement occurred on Thicke's part.
As for Zack Kim's thoughts on Daft Punk possibly lifting elements from his video, he seems to be taking it in stride.
In fact, on Sept. 6, Kim posted a YouTube video of a remix that he did, which combines both 'Robot Dance' and 'Get Lucky' songs together. It sounds fantastic!
We guess Kim is feeling quite "lucky" that he's getting some exposure from all of this hoopla.
But what do you think? Does Daft Punk's 'Get Lucky' resemble 'Robot Dance'? Tell us in the comments below.
Watch Zack Kim's Video 'Robert Dance'
Watch Daft Punk's 'Get Lucky' Video Feat. Pharrell Williams