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The Care - Chandeliers |
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I'm really, really disappointed in Orange and Lemons. I love them. Their songs are all good. I have their 2 albums, and I give them 100 plus pogi points for trying to be different. Sure, their song melodies are inspired by The Beatles, but that's what made them sound different from the rest of the bands today. I have so many favorite songs in Strike Whilst the Iron is Hot. Lihim is one. Pabango ng 'Yong Mata is another. Actually, all their songs in their sophomore album sound great. And of course, Hanggang Kailan has just become one of my favorite OPM rock/pop songs.
I was even more impressed with them when I heard Pinoy Ako. Sure, they didn't write the lyrics, but they composed the melody, arranged the song, and pretty much did everything else. I love the song. It's catchy and very relaxing to listen to kahit gasgas na. Plus the message is really inspiring.
But did they really compose the melody? Read this. Listen to the song, and judge for yourself.
Now it makes me wonder if all their songs are indeed original in the truest sense of the word. And don't give me that everything is copied sorry excuse, because there are truly talented musicians, Pinoy or otherwise, who make their own music.
But to be fair to Orange and Lemons, here's their side of the coin:
Pinoy Ako copied from a foreign song?
By KAYE VILLAGOMEZ
Orange and Lemons cleared issues on alleged similarity in melody of its current hit Pinoy Ako to Chandelier, an original song of the '80s band The Care.
"As a musician who can transcribe music note for note and having an idea about technicalities, I can confidently say they are two different songs," Orange and Lemons' vocalist and guitarist Clem Castro told Manila Bulletin via text message when asked for clarification.
Star Records' Jamie Hipe admitted that the band may have been influenced by The Care but after studying both songs they resolved that each has its own identity. "We studied the two songs and concluded that they are two different songs. Orange and Lemons may have been influenced by The Care but no, they did not copy The Care's song. Yes, they wrote the melody and used Chandelier as their peg," stated Jamie of Star Records.
This negative observation began circulating last month inside the band music circle but it's only now that the band has made a comment on it.
Pinoy Ako was a collaboration between the band Orange and Lemons and songwriter-record producer Jonathan Manalo who told the Bulletin that he only penned the lyrics of the song and entrusted the rest to the band.
"I can't comment as of the moment because the melody and arrangements are all from Orange and Lemons. Though I produced the record, there hasn't been any discussion between me and Orange and Lemons about a certain song called Chandelier. I've given them 100 percent creative freedom to interpret and arrange my song," Jonathan disclosed.
The songwriter added, "After they (members of Orange and Lemons) finished the song, I had the assurance that it was from an original material."
Orange and Lemon's Clem may have been irked by Bulletin?s inquiry prompting him to give the following message: "Do you actually think/believe that the melody lines are similar? You know Star Records will not declare it as they did without consultation and deliberation, which believe me, they already did."
Orange & Lemons is composed of Clem Castro (guitars and vocals), Mcoy Fundales (guitars and vocals), Ace Del Mundo (drums), and JM Del Mundo (bass).
Whatever. We can discuss technicalities all day, and they can use the 7th note rule as an excuse, but haller, I'm not a songwriter, and I couldn't care less about technicalites, but just try listening to Pinoy Ako and to Chandelier. WHAT A FREAKING RIP OFF. There is this one line in Keane's Everybody's Changing that stringkingly sounds like Radiohead's No Surprises, only more upbeat and the pace is faster. But hello, we're talking about the intro and all the stanzas here, save for the chorus, and that's pretty much everything.
And what's more irritating is that the song is about Pinoys having their own identity. Sabi nga ni Alanis, isn't it ironic, don't you think?
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