Pantsgate—Did Larry Platt Steal “Pants On The Ground”?

Becky Bain | January 26, 2010 2:32 pm

Is 2010’s first mega-hit a total rip-off? Say it ain’t so, General! Two weeks after contestant Larry Platt wowed American Idol with his novelty tune (and acrobatics), two performers from Highland Park, Michigan have emerged to claim that “Pants on the Ground” is a Xerox copy of their copyrighted 1996 song “Back Pockets On The Floor.” Michigan’s Green Brothers explain, “The General’s song have the same intent, idea and in part the same message. YOU BE THE JUDGE AMERICA!”

Yes, let’s be the judge, shall we? We compare the two songs after the jump:

“The General” Larry Platt’s “Pants on the Ground”

“Back Pockets on the Floor”

We’re not going to lie—they are very similar. Like “Halo” vs. “Already Gone” similar. Hell, even the lead singer of “Back Pockets” could pass for Platt’s body double. But how on Earth would Larry have seen this video or heard this song, anyway?

We need a second opinion, so let’s go to the pundits—angry YouTube commenters.

Picture 6

Well, we can’t argue with that. What do fans think about the songs’ similarities?

Picture 5

Oh, how we wish it were the end. But when there’s money to be made and fame to be had, you can bet that this drama will stretch out as long as lawyers can bill somebody for their time.