Three Imaginary Girls

Seattle's Indie-Pop Press – Music Reviews, Film Reviews, and Big Fun

A single accusation of plagiarism is enough to derail a career. If you don't believe me, ask President Joe Biden. Yet, Avril Lavigne (who I don't dislike) has been hit with two charges in the past week or two. Neither accusations against the pop star are unfounded.

The first was by the Rubinoos, a 1970s pop band who had a song called "I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend" and whose chorus goes, "hey hey you you, I wanna be your boyfriend." Lavigne's single "Girlfriend"'s chorus goes, "hey hey you you, I wanna be your girlfriend." The Rubinoos are suing Lavigne for copyright infringment.

The second accusation was from songwriter Chantal Kreviazuk, who has worked with Lavigne before. She said that the similarities between Peaches' 2003 song "I'm the Kinda" and Lavigne's 2007 song "I Don't Have to Try" are obvious. They are.

Yet, Kreviazuk retracted her charge and apologized for it earlier this week, according to NME.

Here are YouTube video comparisons of both cases.