Leona Lewis is saying sayonara to ballads, at least for her new single “Collide” from her forthcoming third album. The single premiered on UK radio today, and though some people have characterized the song as being “purple”, others would best describe the dancey tune as being “stolen”. Listen to the British singer’s new song below, as well as the beat it’s allegedly ripping off.
Leona Lewis – “Collide”
“I’ll pick you up when you’re down / Be there when no one’s around / When you’re in a familiar places / Count on me through life’s changes,” Leona starts off in a repetitive, monotonous up-and-down pattern. Thankfully the song continues and builds from there, and the chorus provides a euphoric thrill. But altogether, it sounds like a bastardized version of Alexis Jordan’s “Happiness”. (Guess what! Not a coincidence — both songs had the same writer.)
The song hasn’t even been out for a day, and there’s already some controversy. UK label Ministry of Sound is claiming Leona’s song is a rip-off of the piano-assisted dance song “Penguin” by their artist Avicii, a Swedish DJ.
“Ministry of Sound signed Avicii a year ago and have been working on vocal ideas for over six months on the track,” a source close to Ministry of Sound said (via I Love Music Pop).
Listen and judge for yourself:
Yeah, it’s basically identical. But does that stop you from enjoying Leona’s new single? Tell us below.
Ministery of Sound is just hating on Leona. Autumn Rowe (writer) has confirmed the song has been produced by Sandy Vee AND Avicii. So in my eyes there is no plagiarism
Leona should shelve this song. It is not good at all and its lyrics are very juvenile. Also, the idea that it was produced by Sandy Vee and Avicii doesn’t make any sense: Avicii has posted a vocal track titled FADE INTO DARKNESS with the same instrumentals on their youtube page. I’m sad and disappointed as the hype from the past two days led me to have high expectations.
You can play both at the same time and it sounds like even better like a remix LOL hot.
This is a complete rip-off. Avicii’s “Fade Into Darkness/Penguin” was completed a while ago and MOS should just sue. This sounds almost exactly the same.
In regard to Leona, ever since she lost her mind and started to wear those ridiculous outfits she has significantly declined musically and this song is further evidence of that. What a shame.
Definitely not liking the Leona Lewis version at all. Terrible.
As much as I love Leona i have to say that it sounds like a rip off like those people said and i think the song wasn’t that great compared to her other works…
@LuukLewis, AMEN! They DID say AVICII helped produce Collide so everybody just needs to shut up and get over it. Its a great song, both of them :D
7/10
From Avicii’s twitter….
@Avicii “To answer everyone, the first time i heard leona lewis collide was today. I didnt produce it and neither me or my manager could approve it”
This is not Leona’s fault, blame Sandy Vee and Autumn Rowe. Leona is amazing… Keep the chorus, since it is really good, replace the backing track and make the verses more… Leona.
I love leona as a person and musician, unfortunately it looks like we are getting another poorly managed album, none of this is Leona’s fault directly.
I could write better verses than that… The melody of each line is too identicle, they need to add some variety in there, add a few syllables, vocal improvisation and there you go.
The song as a whole seems more than amateurish, but it needs a lot of work and a NEW backing track that the writer didn’t steal.
There is a very big difference between sampling and stealing. Avicii’s sample of the melody from the orchestra was cleared with the man who wrote it, Simon Jeffes. Leona Lewis did not get anything approved by Avicii or his manager before stealing Penguin.
Furthermore, sampling means that altering will be made to the track – although the melody of Perpetuum Mobile and Penguin are consistent, the piano and violin notes have been replaced by electronic sounds, courtesy of Avicii, Leona Lewis’ track uses Penguin in such a way that Avicii’s exact production runs in the background while her vocals mask the intricately positioned electronic sound.
Furthermore, that she would put her single out on release before Avicii has even had a chance to officially release it is even more disrespectful. Just because it happens a lot in the industry doesn’t do the incident justice. Just because there’s no official branding on the song doesn’t make it hers, especially when it has already been broadcast worldwide on the radio under Avicii’s name and played at various events and clubs for many months by Avicii and other DJs (all who have given due credit to Avicii).
This song BLOWS hardcore… not feeling it, Leona! Shame on you for stealing!
this song is poorly produced and seems like undone…the melody is not that catchy no matter plagiarism or not
it must be coincidence this Autumn Rowe person is responsible for both of this complete rip-off and another equally apparent rip-off, swagger jagger by cher lloyd right.
i thought that they were both ripoffs from “Perpetuum Mobile” by the Penguin Cafe Orchestra so who has the right to get mad at Leona Lewis for using the mix? And its not Avicii’s to own? It’s the Penguin Cafe Orchestra….lol
Hi
I don’t think the backing goes well with the melody. Perhaps Leona should find an alternate backing track or melody. I think Leona’s done much more refined and better stuff, including leaked material. I think Leonas capable of more. She should do a gaga and release numerous songs to move on from this one. Her last album, Echo deserved to do better
Yes, it does stop me from listening to her single. It’s stolen. I’m allergic to stolen goods.
Yes, it stops me from listening to her track. It’s stolen. I’m allergic to stolen goods.
they are both ripping off the
penguin cafe orchestra
who did this first
some of you are not old enough
@andy:
But Avicii aren’t ripping off, he was allowed to use the melody of penguin café orchestra … and Leona are ripping off Avicii’s electronic version of Perpetuum Mobile, Penguin/Fade Into Darkness (Vocal Mix).
some of you can’t read good enough
This is NOT an Avicii song. It’s a a tune by the Penguin Café Orchestra, but originally in the time signature 15/8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FvbCV6E0Wro
ikr!