Train have landed their first hit in years, the bouncy “Hey, Soul Sister.” Should the song’s success be credited to the fact that it sounds just like Jason Mraz’s “I’m Yours,” which was prominently featured on American Idol this week?
“Hey, Soul Sister” from the band’s fifth studio release, Save Me San Francisco, is already at #7 the the Billboard Hot 100, and the last time Train had a Top 10 single was back in 2001, when they went stratospheric on the success of “Drops of Jupiter (Tell Me).” Much of its success on the Billboard chart comes from the song being on fire on iTunes, where it currently sits right below the Black Eyed Peas and the “We Are The World” charity orgy at #3.
Train’s hit is being touted as 2010′s answer to Mraz’s infectious, quadruple-platinum “I’m Yours,” and it’s even inspiring YouTube users to upload mash-ups of the two songs. Of course, some people are calling it a straight-up rip-off, particularly since both tracks were partly produced by the same guy, Martin Terefe.
Could people have been watching every other contestant sing “I’m Yours” on Idol Tuesday night, been inspired to download Mraz’s song and accidentally downloaded Train’s similar tune instead? And should Mraz be worried about Train ripping off his ukulele-infused thunder? Or is it all a Ryan Tedder-style coincidence that a producer helmed two tracks for two different acts that sound somewhat alike? Let’s give both songs a listen:
Train – “Hey, Soul Sister”
And here’s Jason Mraz’s “I’m Yours” to compare:
Honestly? The light, happy-go-lucky sound is definitely a new direction for Train (who are about to embark on a national tour this March), and honestly, just because Mraz has scored with a beachy folk song or two doesn’t mean he patented them. While both songs would great picks the next time you’re DJing your neighbor’s poolside barbeque, they’re different enough where we don’t think Mraz (or Colbie Caillat or Jack Johnson or any of the dozens other feel-good, laid-back, guitar-tweaking artists out there) should be calling their lawyers quite yet.
Postal Service, however—we still think Owl City owes you some royalties.
I really don't think the two songs are that much alike, aside from the ukulele. The lyrics aren't similiar. The beat is not similiar. The message isn't similiar….. If you use this logic, Train and Jason Mraz are ripping off Tiny Tim.
I actually caught myself singing I’m Yours when I heard Soul Sister the first few times before i even knew who/what it actually was. I’d give Train the benefit of doubt were it not for the fact that this isn’t the first time they’ve done something like this. They were sued by and Indiana band called Old Pike (one of the former members is now in My Morning Jacket) that had toured with them before Drops Of Jupiter was released. Old Pike accused train of ripping off one of their originals that they often sound-checked with, releasing it as their own and scoring a major hit with it. Train settled with them out of court for “an undisclosed sum.” Hmmm. Too suspect for me. I think Train is up to their old tricks again. Didn’t they learn the first time? Or was that just the first time they got caught?
yes, train's song is very much like jason mraz's i'm yours. that will happen from time to time when a producer works with different artists. jason's song was written years ago, and has been performed just as long. if there's blame to be cast, seems to me it's not train, but the producer, martin terefe, who's responsible. it'll be interesting to hear the results of the next artist he works with. can't blame martin terefe for wanting to hold on to the good vibes given off by jason mraz's music, but he may want to be more careful in how it affects artists he's yet to work with. they may not like being known for ripping off another artist. i wonder what train thinks about it.