Ed Sheeran, Accused of Copying Marvin Gaye, Testifies He Wrote His Song
The pop singer Ed Sheeran took the witness stand Tuesday at a closely watched copyright trial in which he stands accused of copying his ballad “Thinking Out Loud” from Marvin Gaye’s “Let’s Get It On,” and told a jury that he and a collaborator had written their song based on their own experiences.
Appearing at federal court in Manhattan in a dark suit and blue tie, with his red hair tousled, Mr. Sheeran testified that he and his co-writer, Amy Wadge, had created “Thinking Out Loud” independently.
“Yes, Amy Wadge and I wrote the song ‘Thinking Out Loud,’” Mr. Sheeran said, explaining that they created the song, about holding on to romance throughout a long life, after seeing the affection between his aged grandparents.
The case was brought by the family of Ed Townsend, a producer and songwriter who created “Let’s Get It On” with Gaye in 1973. They assert that the “heart” of “Let’s Get It On” — a four-chord progression that repeats in a signature syncopated rhythm — was copied by Mr. Sheeran. Lawyers for Mr. Sheeran argue that those elements are basic musical building blocks that are in the public domain and have turned up in numerous other songs.
Source: The New York Times
