Library Music Themes

General Sharing & Discussion => General Discussion => Topic started by: Mr on April 18, 2018, 01:11:07 PM

Title: "More or less a blatant rip-off"-type cues
Post by: Mr on April 18, 2018, 01:11:07 PM: I find this is often people's first assumption of what library music is - sloppy 'sound-alikes' piggybacking off of famous pieces of music. Somewhat surprisingly, perhaps, most library isn't.
I do quite enjoy those sort of cues, however! Do you know any cues that have taken a bit much inspiration from elsewhere?

Some of my favourites:
"Silent Witness" (Zack Laurence, Music House MHA-2)
(Mike Oldfield - "Tubular Bells")

"License to Kill - Pt. 2" (Anthony Mawer, Southern Library of Recorded Music MQ/LP-31)
(John Barry/Nancy Sinatra - "You Only Live Twice")

"Stingray", "Purple Moon" (David Reilly, Programme Music PM 026)
(Gary Numan - "Cars")

(Pink Floyd - "Breathe")

"Participation" (Ole Georg, Media Music the Professional PSE-17)
(Michael Jackson - "Thriller")
Title: Re: "More or less a blatant rip-off"-type cues
Post by: stackjackson on April 18, 2018, 01:26:22 PM: David Reilly's "Purple Moon" was the first track I had in mind when I saw your post here, Mr. The title of this is such a clever wink to the listener ;)
I know there are numerous "Shaft" sound-alikes out there, but don't have time to track them down.
Title: Re: "More or less a blatant rip-off"-type cues
Post by: apmnut on April 18, 2018, 02:51:43 PM: "Chicken Sax" by Gerhard Trede is obviously a ripoff of "Yakety Sax" by Boots Randolph.
Title: Re: "More or less a blatant rip-off"-type cues
Post by: Retronic on April 18, 2018, 05:20:39 PM: There's a KPM which is a blatant rip of 'Pick Up the Pieces' by The Average White Band. I forget the LP.
DWS/LP 3513 - 'Let's All Be Happy' is 'Best Years of Our Lives' by Modern Romance. Same LP has Thriller rip off 'Black Heart'
Title: Re: "More or less a blatant rip-off"-type cues
Post by: Lord Thames on April 18, 2018, 08:15:48 PM: Keith Mansfield's 'Bubble Machine' on the KPM album Lifeforce was withdrawn after Gershon Kinglsey objected to the similarity to 'Popcorn' - it was re-recorded as 'Micro Pops' with a new bass and melody line and appeared on KPM CD 099. The original remains unavailable.
Title: Re: "More or less a blatant rip-off"-type cues
Post by: Upgrade on April 20, 2018, 08:11:49 AM: Steve Gray did a History of Jazz series for Bruton Music.

“Midnight Serenade” sounds an awful like Glenn Miller’s “Moonlight Serenade”.

“Take Your Time” is a take-off of Dave Brubeck’s “Take Five”.
Title: Re: "More or less a blatant rip-off"-type cues
Post by: Lord Thames on April 20, 2018, 12:29:05 PM: Here's one I found recently - compare and contrast Dave Richmond's 'Confunktion' (aka the tune off the Denim aftershave adverts)

.....with obscure 1971 British prog rock track 'Sing' by Ransome Head:

Although Dave Richmond didn't play on the Ransome Head track, guitarist Clive Hicks did - I wonder if there was a bit of subconscious influencing going on there?
Title: Re: "More or less a blatant rip-off"-type cues
Post by: stackjackson on April 20, 2018, 12:42:12 PM: Wow, LT. That's an obscure catch there. I dig that Ransome Head track.
Title: Re: "More or less a blatant rip-off"-type cues
Post by: Lord Thames on April 20, 2018, 01:48:31 PM: I love it! Some very familiar names playing on it too, including Brian Dee, Harold Fisher and John Fiddy.
Title: Re: "More or less a blatant rip-off"-type cues
Post by: owlglass on April 24, 2018, 08:22:22 AM: Sauveur Mallia's "Digital Proton" (Cosmosynthetic Vol. 1) is a clear rip-off of Devo's "Girl U Want".
Title: Re: "More or less a blatant rip-off"-type cues
Post by: keir on April 29, 2018, 05:15:26 PM: Quote from: stackjackson on April 18, 2018, 01:26:22 PM
David Reilly's "Purple Moon" was the first track I had in mind when I saw your post here, Mr. The title of this is such a clever wink to the listener ;)
I know there are numerous "Shaft" sound-alikes out there, but don't have time to track them down.

If I recall correctly one of them is actually called Shafty or something. Makes it easy for the sound editor to find the sort of thing they're looking for I guess!
Title: Re: "More or less a blatant rip-off"-type cues
Post by: Mr on May 07, 2018, 05:43:10 PM: I feel Joerg Reiter's three "Fun Key" LPs have several moments that sound very *cough* "inspired".
Title: Re: "More or less a blatant rip-off"-type cues
Post by: GraniteCity on July 20, 2018, 07:29:42 PM: ‘Mile High’ by Yellowjackets

‘Everybody Wants to Rule the World’ by Tears for Fears

‘Truth or Consequences’ by Stop Gap

‘I Love Lucy’ by Wilbur Hatch

‘Liberty’ by Steve Vai

‘Don’t Take Your Guns to Town’ by Ry Cooder from the Blue City motion picture soundtrack
Title: Re: "More or less a blatant rip-off"-type cues
Post by: Dick Turpin on July 21, 2018, 08:01:15 PM: Mono Ski Keith Mansfield

And Glen Somers Band, Walking Boots
Title: Re: "More or less a blatant rip-off"-type cues
Post by: puppydog on July 21, 2018, 11:30:53 PM: Reg Owen again
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nv7kmqxT8uk)

sounding very like Jimmy Webb's By The Time I get to Phoenix
Title: Re: "More or less a blatant rip-off"-type cues
Post by: puppydog on July 21, 2018, 11:48:09 PM: Also i think Glen Somers' Demerara sounds very like Keith Mansfield's Funky Fanfare/Soul Thing.
Maybe Reg Owen was a big Keith Mansfield fan and wanted to pay homage :D
Title: Re: "More or less a blatant rip-off"-type cues
Post by: BlackwatchPlaid on July 23, 2018, 07:08:23 AM: Here's a real blatant one.

....couldn't possibly be a very loose reworking of....
Title: Re: "More or less a blatant rip-off"-type cues
Post by: Mr on August 26, 2018, 12:34:00 PM: Here's another I came across. I guess this group of Bruton composers fancy themselves as smooth operators:
Title: Re: "More or less a blatant rip-off"-type cues
Post by: ericmivalstoothbrush on September 01, 2018, 10:40:42 AM: 'Microchaos' and 'Distillation' by Blue Phantom/Armando Sciascia are two very obvious and well-known tracks "inspired" by The Stooges' 'I Wanna Be Your Dog' and Black Sabbath's 'War Pigs' respectively, but they're so charming that I had to mention them again. Does anyone recognise any of the other songs on the same LP? 'Violence' reminds me of something but I can't put my finger on it... And I sure would like to know what the inspiration for 'Equilibrium' is, as that's my favourite on the album! Parts of the melody sounds like the Rolling Stones' 'She's a Rainbow'.
Title: Re: "More or less a blatant rip-off"-type cues
Post by: stackjackson on July 21, 2019, 05:27:35 PM: Reviving the thread...

Practically all of Programme Music PM 16 - Rock Reflections (Steve March) is filled with rip-offs, e.g. The Who, Queen, The Eagles, Rolling Stones, Buddy Holly, etc.
Title: Re: "More or less a blatant rip-off"-type cues
Post by: radioman on August 03, 2019, 11:50:24 AM: Ray Davies wrote Atlantic Drive as a soundalike to Herb Alpert's Route 101:

And here is Herb:
Title: Re: "More or less a blatant rip-off"-type cues
Post by: Porn Library on August 03, 2019, 12:47:02 PM: Quote from: radioman on August 03, 2019, 11:50:24 AM
Ray Davies wrote Atlantic Drive as a soundalike to Herb Alpert's Route 101:

And here is Herb:

Never knew about the Herb Alpert rip off! I'm a huge Alpert fan, so really dug that. And I love when they named the library knock offs so obvious in the titles to hint what they were doing.
Title: Re: "More or less a blatant rip-off"-type cues
Post by: Moleoman on August 04, 2019, 11:16:53 AM: D. Todd Sorensen's "Wishbone" from Non-Stop Music library [NS-WS 004/NSPS-ALT 001/NSPS-1990 001] sounds similar to the "Friends" theme song:
https://milesofmusik.com/music_catalog/album-374704/

Meanwhile, "Kit Cartoon" by Eric Gemsa [KOS 025] is suspiciously based on the first seconds of the famous Looney Tunes theme "The Merry-Go-Round Broke Down" (No wonder the track has been discontinued!):
https://www.sakuranotes.jp/Music35828.html
Title: Re: "More or less a blatant rip-off"-type cues
Post by: apmnut on August 23, 2019, 06:35:42 PM: Here are a couple of soundalikes of this one instrumental piece from the score of a familiar Disney animated film:
Title: Re: "More or less a blatant rip-off"-type cues
Post by: Col Wolfe on August 24, 2019, 10:05:14 AM: Kovac’s ‘Nymphe’ is really ‘I Robot’

and from same Selected Sound LP is a ‘Money Runner’ rip-off...
Title: Re: "More or less a blatant rip-off"-type cues
Post by: quarry on August 25, 2019, 08:35:28 PM: Neither is library music, but there was nowhere else to post this (without starting a new thread). Here is Harry Robinson's main title from the 1971 Hammer movie, Twins of Evil:

...and the Lolita Ritmanis main title theme for the 2001-2004 seasons of the Justice League animated series:

Ritmanis barely tried to conceal the sticky-fingered swiping of the Robinson composition.
Title: Re: "More or less a blatant rip-off"-type cues
Post by: Keoma on October 28, 2019, 04:20:27 PM: Frederic Masson - Happy Tax Payer => Pink Floyd - Money
The Magic Sound Celebration - At The Rainbow's End => Pink Floyd - Shine On You Crazy Diamond
Mike Moore Company - Third Step => Barclay James Harvest - Life is for Living
Title: Re: "More or less a blatant rip-off"-type cues
Post by: MusicMuzak on September 23, 2022, 02:53:40 PM: Had to share this.
JW 467 Supertrax
Track by David Reilly called "Bourbon Mac"
So blatant he included half of the Bands name in the title! I'm sure you'll know it as soon as it starts....

https://mega.nz/file/9BtFFZJQ#zxlwpunTXblRtD6iOGznsin2HovJqTXMaUIpmZqUYv8
Title: Re: "More or less a blatant rip-off"-type cues
Post by: Retronic on September 23, 2022, 06:40:17 PM: Does anyone know of any library tracks that sound like or is a cover of ‘It Might As swell Rain Until September’?
Title: Re: "More or less a blatant rip-off"-type cues
Post by: kpmhill on September 24, 2022, 06:43:27 AM: Quote from: Retronic on September 23, 2022, 06:40:17 PM
Does anyone know of any library tracks that sound like or is a cover of ‘It Might As swell Rain Until September’?

Maybe…

https://www.discogs.com/release/7294070-Bruce-Baxter-Orchestra-Easy
Title: Re: "More or less a blatant rip-off"-type cues
Post by: Retronic on September 24, 2022, 06:47:55 AM: Ooh, could be. Thanks for the tip.
Title: Re: "More or less a blatant rip-off"-type cues
Post by: kpmhill on September 24, 2022, 06:55:49 AM: Hardy Kingston and His Orchestra - "Sunrise"
vs.
Herb Alpert - "Rise"

And of course, Herb spawned…
Title: Re: "More or less a blatant rip-off"-type cues
Post by: Porn Library on September 24, 2022, 12:16:35 PM: Never knew about the Hardy Kingston knock off nor that Selected Sound LP! Being a fan of the late 70's through early 80's era of Alpert, dare I say I think I like the knock off better than Rise ;D
Title: Re: "More or less a blatant rip-off"-type cues
Post by: Porn Library on September 24, 2022, 12:20:06 PM: Although not a library knock off.....thought I should add this to Rise rip offs just for the hell of it
Title: Re: "More or less a blatant rip-off"-type cues
Post by: Porn Library on September 24, 2022, 12:25:54 PM: Quote from: MusicMuzak on September 23, 2022, 02:53:40 PM
Had to share this.
JW 467 Supertrax
Track by David Reilly called "Bourbon Mac"
So blatant he included half of the Bands name in the title! I'm sure you'll know it as soon as it starts....

https://mega.nz/file/9BtFFZJQ#zxlwpunTXblRtD6iOGznsin2HovJqTXMaUIpmZqUYv8

That entire LP is knock offs of a ton of stuff and the hint of who's being knocked off is in nearly every title lol
Title: Re: "More or less a blatant rip-off"-type cues
Post by: kpmhill on September 25, 2022, 02:10:04 AM: Quote from: Porn Library on September 24, 2022, 12:20:06 PM
Although not a library knock off.....thought I should add this to Rise rip offs just for the hell of it

Starting to think we could have an entire thread of "Rise" rip-offs…
Title: Re: "More or less a blatant rip-off"-type cues
Post by: MusicMuzak on September 25, 2022, 05:40:26 AM: Quote from: kpmhill on September 24, 2022, 06:55:49 AM
Hardy Kingston and His Orchestra - "Sunrise"
vs.
Herb Alpert - "Rise"

And of course, Herb spawned…

Ouch! Very blatant. Even calling it SunRISE >:(
Title: Re: "More or less a blatant rip-off"-type cues
Post by: MusicMuzak on September 25, 2022, 05:46:34 AM: Quote from: Porn Library on September 24, 2022, 12:25:54 PM
Quote from: MusicMuzak on September 23, 2022, 02:53:40 PM
Had to share this.
JW 467 Supertrax
Track by David Reilly called "Bourbon Mac"
So blatant he included half of the Bands name in the title! I'm sure you'll know it as soon as it starts....

https://mega.nz/file/9BtFFZJQ#zxlwpunTXblRtD6iOGznsin2HovJqTXMaUIpmZqUYv8

That entire LP is knock offs of a ton of stuff and the hint of who's being knocked off is in nearly every title lol

Yeah. When i heard Bourbon Mac I couldn't believe it. Someone also mentioned Bank Statement earlier on the thread. Pure Pink Floyd rip off. Suprised it wasn't called Currency lol
Title: Re: "More or less a blatant rip-off"-type cues
Post by: Lord Thames on September 25, 2022, 12:07:53 PM: Quote from: kpmhill on September 25, 2022, 02:10:04 AM
Starting to think we could have an entire thread of "Rise" rip-offs…

On a previous version of this forum I did a thread about which commercial tunes inspired the most library knock-offs - my list included Holiday For Strings by David Rose, the theme from Shaft, and Night Birds by Shakatak. Rise should definitely be on there!
Title: Re: "More or less a blatant rip-off"-type cues
Post by: Lord Thames on September 25, 2022, 12:16:46 PM: And on topic:

Double the tempo of the rhythm section, change a couple of notes, and you get:

I think Herbie Flowers even plays bass on both of them!
Title: Re: "More or less a blatant rip-off"-type cues
Post by: testcard on October 15, 2022, 10:51:02 AM: Ski Safari 2 - Shop Theme

vs:
Rich Brian - History

Doc Martens-nathan fuller
Title: Re: "More or less a blatant rip-off"-type cues
Post by: [(Sub)] on October 26, 2022, 08:10:11 AM: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fDpbRCPfEww

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQUaeGDIeY8
Title: Re: "More or less a blatant rip-off"-type cues
Post by: likedeeler on January 05, 2023, 06:43:09 PM: Sauveur Mallia's Digital Proton:

(If you don't see nothing, just click "Open Site in New Window".)
Title: Re: "More or less a blatant rip-off"-type cues
Post by: kensington on January 11, 2023, 07:24:18 PM: Isn't a million miles from

https://www.discogs.com/release/1754167-Various-Krieg-II-War-II

Naughty Walter!
Title: Re: "More or less a blatant rip-off"-type cues
Post by: Gannett on January 20, 2023, 08:42:53 PM: Chappell LPC-1032 seems to be dedicated to homages:

'A Paler Shade' = 'A Whiter Shade of Pale' by Procul Harem
'Hey Lizzie' = 'Dizzy' by Tommy Roe
'White Dove' = 'Albatross' by Fleetwood Mac
Title: Re: "More or less a blatant rip-off"-type cues
Post by: feslmogh on January 30, 2023, 01:55:26 PM: I found another ripoff last weekend while working on a video...

Afrikaan Beat By Bert Kaempfert

No idea who the artist or name is (it starts @ 1:45:34)...
Title: Re: "More or less a blatant rip-off"-type cues
Post by: apmnut on January 30, 2023, 05:14:51 PM: Quote from: feslmogh on January 30, 2023, 01:55:26 PM
I found another ripoff last weekend while working on a video...

Afrikaan Beat By Bert Kaempfert

No idea who the artist or name is (it starts @ 1:45:34)...

That's "East Side, West Side" from the De Wolfe library, composed by Jack Trombey.
Title: Re: "More or less a blatant rip-off"-type cues
Post by: AverageLibraryMusicFan on February 16, 2023, 05:34:16 PM: I stumbled upon a Youtube video showcasing several rip-offs of popular songs, and the interesting part is that all of these tracks heard in the video mostly come from Valentino.

And two videos that showcase soundalikes composed by Sam Spence for NFL Films.
Title: Re: "More or less a blatant rip-off"-type cues
Post by: Bronic on February 18, 2023, 10:30:58 AM: Speaking of Blondie...

Heart of Stone from Bruton:

Is trying to mix the ingredients that built Heart of Glass:
Title: Re: "More or less a blatant rip-off"-type cues
Post by: Porn Library on December 02, 2023, 03:51:00 AM: Reviving this thread that's been dead almost all year......

Dick Hieronymus - Taking You On

A-Ha - Take On Me
Title: Re: "More or less a blatant rip-off"-type cues
Post by: Bronic on December 02, 2023, 11:42:06 PM: Library music. It's all been a pack of lies!!
Title: Re: "More or less a blatant rip-off"-type cues
Post by: Nobody on December 07, 2023, 01:02:27 AM: Stelvio Cipriani - Trittico Soundtrack

Iron Butterfly - In A Gadda Da Vida
Title: Re: "More or less a blatant rip-off"-type cues
Post by: Bronic on January 02, 2024, 11:57:03 PM: Now they even rip-off album covers!

(https://i.imgur.com/fZoY69G.png)

(https://i.imgur.com/zSvE9YN.png)
Title: Re: "More or less a blatant rip-off"-type cues
Post by: Psyclon on January 07, 2024, 12:11:49 PM: Yes, sometimes even from their very competitors ;D

(https://i.postimg.cc/q7vJyV05/12.png)
Title: Re: "More or less a blatant rip-off"-type cues
Post by: KPM Lover on January 07, 2024, 02:58:10 PM: I don’t think these covers from Parry Music and Cavendish Music were copies, because the image must have come from a stock image.
Title: Re: "More or less a blatant rip-off"-type cues
Post by: Walk the Skies 202 on March 10, 2024, 12:06:46 AM: I know a few Carlin tracks I can throw in here.

- "Animal House" by Henry Marsh and Phil Pickett from CAR-134 carries basically the same progression and melody as "The House of the Rising Sun" by The Animals.

- "Tijuana Fly" from the same album is a direct take-off on "Spanish Flea" by Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass, so much so that somewhere in the 90's the track was pulled from the album.

- "Bond Call" by Terry Day from CAR-198 is quite blatantly a short take on the iconic James Bond theme. Also removed, and digital releases offer a new version that's just a cut down version of Robert Mersey's "Jazz Dramatic," which Carlin reissued as "Goldfinger."

- "Hillbilly Banjo" by Martyn Laight on CAR-288 has more than a resemblance to "Foggy Mountain Breakdown" by Earl Scruggs. This one was also removed from this album.
Title: Re: "More or less a blatant rip-off"-type cues
Post by: kablamatic on March 11, 2024, 01:39:08 AM: Much recently, I heard a Network Music track called "Michael-Jean" by Craig Palmer, which (as the title suggests) is a take on Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean". As far as style pastiches go, it doesn't sound as bad as the original song it was based off, though it is very prestigious and uplifting as most Network tracks sound.
Title: Re: "More or less a blatant rip-off"-type cues
Post by: apmnut on March 11, 2024, 03:52:48 AM: Quote from: Walk the Skies 202 on March 10, 2024, 12:06:46 AM
I know a few Carlin tracks I can throw in here.

- "Animal House" by Henry Marsh and Phil Pickett from CAR-134 carries basically the same progression and melody as "The House of the Rising Sun" by The Animals.

- "Tijuana Fly" from the same album is a direct take-off on "Spanish Fly" by Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass, so much so that somewhere in the 90's the track was pulled from the album.

- "Bond Call" by Terry Day from CAR-198 is quite blatantly a short take on the iconic James Bond theme. Also removed, and digital releases offer a new version that's just a cut down version of Robert Mersey's "Jazz Dramatic," which Carlin reissued as "Goldfinger."

- "Hillbilly Banjo" by Martyn Laight on CAR-288 has more than a resemblance to "Foggy Mountain Breakdown" by Earl Scruggs. This one was also removed from this album.

On the subject of CPM, "Godfather of Soul" on CAR 233 (composed by Steve Jeffries) is a pretty obvious rip off of James Brown's "Poppa's Got a Brand New Bag."
Title: Re: "More or less a blatant rip-off"-type cues
Post by: nidostar on March 11, 2024, 09:07:07 AM: Quote from: Walk the Skies 202 on March 10, 2024, 12:06:46 AM
I know a few Carlin tracks I can throw in here.

- "Animal House" by Henry Marsh and Phil Pickett from CAR-134 carries basically the same progression and melody as "The House of the Rising Sun" by The Animals.

- "Tijuana Fly" from the same album is a direct take-off on "Spanish Fly" by Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass, so much so that somewhere in the 90's the track was pulled from the album.

- "Bond Call" by Terry Day from CAR-198 is quite blatantly a short take on the iconic James Bond theme. Also removed, and digital releases offer a new version that's just a cut down version of Robert Mersey's "Jazz Dramatic," which Carlin reissued as "Goldfinger."

- "Hillbilly Banjo" by Martyn Laight on CAR-288 has more than a resemblance to "Foggy Mountain Breakdown" by Earl Scruggs. This one was also removed from this album.
Fascinating. I must check these out. Though the Alpert track is actually called Spanish Flea.

I also remember hearing a piece in the style of Puffin’ Billy on BBC’s Antiques Road Trip a while back. I had previously heard it while wading through demo tracks on a library site. But can I remember which library or track? Can I heck! Anyone got any ideas?
Title: Re: "More or less a blatant rip-off"-type cues
Post by: VJ on March 11, 2024, 11:17:42 PM: i can't believe it's not sleigh ride (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lpZDvJE3Hp0)!
Title: Re: "More or less a blatant rip-off"-type cues
Post by: Bronic on March 22, 2024, 09:41:10 PM: Night Work

Night Shift

One More Byte

One More Night
Title: Re: "More or less a blatant rip-off"-type cues
Post by: Walk the Skies 202 on May 06, 2024, 05:37:55 AM: Another Carlin one: "American Rock (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Iex0u43I64)" by Chris Goulstone on CAR-209 has very similar progression to "Smells Like Teen Spirit (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTWKbfoikeg)" by Nirvana, down to the album's liner notes even stating it to be "in the style of Nirvana."

Current editions of the album replace the original version with a different Goulstone track with the same name, likely for this very reason.