for weeks magazines and newspapers salivated over this one -- dani california and petty's mary jane's last dance had similarities.
i didn't bother to write about it because it was plain ridiculous and i didn't want to fuel the fire. the chilis wouldn't maliciously lift music and tom petty never seemed like the kind of guy that would sue. in fact, i don't think petty ever considered suing and i don't think the peppers were much worried. it was merely an example of how the media uses controversy -- true or made up -- to sell stories.
here it is in writing:
Thursday, June 29, 2006
Red Hot Chili Peppers not in trouble with Tom Petty
The Red Hot Chili Peppers can breathe a little easier. Tom Petty told Rolling Stone in an interview that hit newsstands on Wednesday, June 28th, that he has no intentions of pursuing legal action over the similarities between the Chili Peppers' current single, "Dani California," and his own 1993 hit, "Mary Jane's Last Dance." When asked if he'd heard the song, Petty replied, "Yes, I have. Everyone everywhere is stopping me. The truth is, I seriously doubt that there is any negative intent there. And a lot of rock 'n' roll songs sound alike." Petty added that the Strokes admitted to lifting from his "American Girl" for their hit "Last Nite."
As for legal options, Petty said, "If someone took my song note for note and stole it maliciously, then maybe. But I don't believe in lawsuits much. I think there are enough frivolous lawsuits in this country without people fighting over pop songs."
Earlier this month, the New York Post reported that Petty had been made aware of the controversy and was "looking into legal ramifications."
While not discussing "Dani California" directly, Chili Peppers bassist Flea said recently that lifting ideas from other artists is nothing new: "Of course, we rip off people all the time. I mean, no good artist doesn't. I mean, that's what art is for, to rip each other off. It's what you rip off and how you interpret what you rip off and in what context you rip it off."
