Consider, for a moment, Right Said Fred’s reliably ludicrous 1992 club stomper “I’m Too Sexy.”
Now, pause for another moment to consider pop star Taylor Swift, even if she happens to be doing this:
While the two acts epitomize the term “strange bedfellows,” Swift has nevertheless lifted heavily from “I’m Too Sexy” for her new, curiously toothless single, “Look What You Made Me Do.”
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The main “hook” — which is, like, a kick drum and some shakers — was lifted part and parcel from “I’m Too Sexy,” and the three members of the band — the titular Fred Fairbrass, Richard Fairbrass and Rob Manzoli – even have writing credits on the song.
Singer Chase Holfelder? provides the aural proof here:
So, @taylorswift13's #LookWhatYouMadeMeDo kindof reminds me of something. Wait for it… pic.twitter.com/oC8RnBFsfQ
— Chase Holfelder (@chaseholfelder) August 25, 2017
According to NME, the official song credits claim the track features “an interpolation of a melody.”
Right Said Friend is understandably quite pleased with all of this attention, languidly tearing off their mesh tank-tops and writing on Twitter, “Thank you @taylorswift13 ?? what a marvelous reinvention!”
Thank you @taylorswift13 ?? what a marvellous reinvention! #imtoosexy #lookwhatyoumademedo https://t.co/malXQ8uMQe
— Right Said Fred (@TheFreds) August 25, 2017
On the other hand, the rest of the Internet is jolly, jolly cross.
RIGHT SAID FRED HAVE SONGWRITING CREDITS ON THE NEW TAYLOR SWIFT SONG
YOU CAN'T MAKE UP 2017
— Michael O'Neill (@factsforwhatevr) August 25, 2017
They’re furious.
This failed attempt at a Taylor Swift/Right Said Fred joke has been sitting atop my Twitter timeline all morning pic.twitter.com/AoNDIB4xKa
— Ren LaForme (@itsren) August 25, 2017
They’re outraged.
This is not the Taylor song I hoped to wake up to.
Victim stance ??
Emotional resonance ??
Can I dance to it? ??
Right Said Fred ??— Juno Dawson (@junodawson) August 25, 2017
They’re appalled. Disgusted, too.
I had this bad dream where Taylor Swift released a single that was like if a myspace bulletin about "fake people" was a Right Said Fred song
— Alex Perry (@Yelix) August 25, 2017
Eep.
Frankly, they’re pissed — you can tell because they mention “pedantry run amok,” which always means pissed.
the fact that taylor swift felt the need to credit right said fred for that chorus is copyright/attribution pedantry run amok
— John Cook (@johnjcook) August 25, 2017
Taylor Swift is too sexy for this song:
Terrycloth
What’s the big deal..she used the song but gave them credit..kudos to her..it’s not like blurred lines by Robin thick who had to pay Marvin Gayes estate…all HE had to do was the same thing…don’t mind sampling as long as you give the songwriter their credit..avoids a lawsuit plus it’s the right thing to do
Jimmy T
Sounds more like a ripoff of Meghan Trainor’s “If I was You, I’d Wanna Be ME TOO.”
Luc
Eh, I like it.
Jaxton
If you sample, you’ve run out of ideas. You lack originality.
paul dorian lord fredine
would you say that to any of the artists who’ve done the same thing or is this just because it’s taylor?
Donston
Pay no attention to Brian. Almost every rapper and pop performer over the past fifty years has sampled something within their first two albums. It’s not proof of anything.
Dymension
Um, what’s the deal again? Millennials are offended again?
Guy068
Did millenials even know I’m Too Sexy existed?
DCguy
She gave them a writing credit on the song, unlike so many singers who try to hide it, then get sued and a few years later are forced to give the credit and money by a court. I don’t really see any problem here.
broadshoulder
Not impressed with the title ‘Look what you made me do”
Not impressed with Taylor full stop