In a recent candid discussion on Alchemy With Anthony Mason, Grammy-winning artist Sam Smith offered an illuminating and previously unshared perspective on the copyright dispute surrounding their breakthrough 2014 hit, "Stay With Me." The revelations came after Smith utilized a 24-show residency at Brooklyn’s intimate Warsaw venue last year to perform Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers’ 1987 track "It Will All Work Out," an act that served as both a tribute and a poignant revisiting of a defining moment in their early career. Smith disclosed that during the height of the controversy, the late rock icon Tom Petty had personally sent them a letter, a gesture that profoundly impacted Smith, though its full significance was only grasped years later.
The Genesis of a Global Hit: "Stay With Me"
Released in the spring of 2014 as the third single from Smith’s debut studio album, In The Lonely Hour, "Stay With Me" quickly ascended to global phenomenon status. Co-written by Smith, James Napier (Jimmy Napes), and William Phillips (Disclosure’s Guy Lawrence, uncredited on the original release but later added), the soulful ballad resonated deeply with audiences worldwide, capturing themes of vulnerability and longing. The track topped the charts in the UK and reached number two on the US Billboard Hot 100, selling over 10 million units globally and earning Smith two Grammy Awards for Record of the Year and Song of the Year in 2015. Its commercial and critical success firmly established Sam Smith as a formidable new voice in contemporary music, propelling In The Lonely Hour to become one of the best-selling albums of the decade.
Smith recounts the creation of "Stay With Me" as an organic process, penned in a "basement in London." Crucially, Smith stated they had "never ever heard ‘I Won’t Back Down’" at the time of writing, a song by Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers. Smith admitted, "Regretfully, actually. I, as a young kid, just didn’t listen to men, if I’m honest. The only male singers I ever listened to were Stevie Wonder and George Michael. I was a kid that just loved the divas. And girl pop. So I’d never heard it." This confession underscores the often-unintentional nature of musical influence and the diverse sonic landscapes artists inhabit during their formative years.
The Echo of "I Won’t Back Down": The Copyright Claim Emerges
The controversy began when sharp-eared listeners and musicologists noted striking similarities between the melodic structure of "Stay With Me" and the chorus of Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers’ 1989 hit, "I Won’t Back Down." Co-written by Tom Petty and Electric Light Orchestra frontman Jeff Lynne, "I Won’t Back Down" is a quintessential anthem of resilience, characterized by its distinctive chord progression and a memorable vocal melody.
The core of the dispute centered on the eight-bar chorus of "Stay With Me," which reportedly shared an almost identical melodic phrase with "I Won’t Back Down." While chord progressions are generally not protectable under copyright law, specific melodic sequences, especially when combined with lyrics, can be. In January 2015, just ahead of the Grammy Awards, it was publicly announced that Petty and Lynne had been awarded a 12.5% songwriting credit for "Stay With Me." This agreement, reportedly reached out of court, meant that Petty and Lynne would share 12.5% of the publishing royalties derived from the song. This was a significant development, underscoring the legal complexities and potential financial ramifications inherent in the music industry’s intellectual property landscape.
Tom Petty’s Public Stance and Private Gesture
Following the settlement, Tom Petty released a statement clarifying his position, emphasizing a lack of animosity: "I want to make it clear that I never had any hard feelings toward Sam. All my years of songwriting have shown me these things can happen. Most times you catch it before it gets out the door but in this case it got by. Sam’s people were very understanding of our position and we amicably came to an agreement." Petty further expressed his admiration for Smith’s talent, stating, "I wish Sam all the best for his career." This public statement painted a picture of a seasoned artist understanding the nuances of musical creation and the potential for unintentional overlap.
However, Smith’s recent revelation adds another layer to Petty’s response. Smith disclosed that Petty had written them a personal letter, delivered to their hotel room just prior to the 2015 Grammy Awards ceremony, where Smith was poised to sweep multiple categories for In The Lonely Hour. "He wrote me a letter the night before the Grammys and it arrived to my room," Smith recounted. "I was so pissed off when I read it."
The letter, according to Smith, included a key phrase that Petty himself acknowledged the inherent limitations of musical composition: "He said it himself in the letter to me that there’s only so many notes on the piano." This particular line, often used as a defense in copyright cases, initially fueled Smith’s frustration. "And that’s why I was annoyed because when he said that, I was like, ‘You get it, so why is this happening?’" Smith recalled their younger self’s reaction, grappling with the apparent contradiction between Petty’s philosophical understanding and the legal action.
Sam Smith’s Evolving Perspective: From Sassy to Reflective
Smith’s journey through the copyright dispute illustrates a profound shift in perspective. As a "little sassy 22-year-old queer kid" at the time, Smith admits their initial reaction was one of anger and resentment, preventing them from responding to Petty’s letter. The emotional weight of the dispute, coupled with the immense pressure of their burgeoning career and the looming Grammy night, likely colored their perception. In The Lonely Hour went on to win four Grammy Awards that evening, including Best New Artist, Best Pop Vocal Album, Record of the Year, and Song of the Year for "Stay With Me" – an unprecedented triumph marred by the underlying copyright issue.
With the passage of time and the benefit of maturity, Smith’s understanding of Petty’s letter and the situation has evolved significantly. "But now as I’m older I understand why, I understand that it wasn’t just him," Smith reflected. "I think he was trying to say that I see you and I understand what you’re going through right now and I’m sorry that this is all happening. Which was actually very, very sweet and kind of him." This reinterpretation highlights Petty’s likely intent to offer empathy and acknowledge the systemic pressures of the music industry, rather than purely assert a claim. Smith now expresses deep regret for not having responded to the letter, recognizing the graciousness of Petty’s gesture. "I’m so deeply regretful that I never responded to him. I never wrote back to him. I was just a little sassy 22-year-old queer kid. But I definitely should’ve written back to him."
Broader Implications: Copyright in the Modern Music Industry
The "Stay With Me" dispute is not an isolated incident but rather a prominent example within a growing landscape of music copyright claims. The digital age, with its vast accessibility to music and sophisticated analytical tools, has made it easier to detect potential similarities. This, combined with the immense financial stakes involved in global hit songs, has led to a noticeable increase in legal battles over musical originality.
High-profile cases, such as the "Blurred Lines" lawsuit (Marvin Gaye’s estate vs. Robin Thicke and Pharrell Williams) and various claims against Ed Sheeran (e.g., "Thinking Out Loud" vs. Marvin Gaye’s "Let’s Get It On," and "Shape of You" vs. "Oh Why"), underscore the complexities. These cases often hinge on the testimony of musicologists, who provide expert analysis on melodic contours, harmonic progressions, rhythmic patterns, and lyrical content to determine substantial similarity. The legal framework attempts to balance protecting creators’ intellectual property with fostering new artistic expression, a task made challenging by the inherent interconnectedness and evolutionary nature of music.
The "only so many notes" argument, as cited by Petty, is a common philosophical and legal defense. It posits that given the finite number of musical notes, scales, and harmonic structures, some degree of accidental similarity is inevitable. However, copyright law distinguishes between basic musical building blocks, which are not protectable, and original expressions of those blocks. The challenge lies in drawing the line between mere influence, common musical tropes, and substantial similarity that constitutes infringement.
Beyond Petty: Other Copyright Challenges for Smith
The "Stay With Me" incident was not Smith’s last encounter with copyright litigation. Smith mentioned that "there have been lawsuits since," specifically referencing the ongoing battle over their 2019 Normani duet, "Dancing With A Stranger." In 2022, a songwriting trio filed a lawsuit alleging that "Dancing With A Stranger" copied significant portions of their 2017 song, also titled "Dancing With A Stranger." These recurring disputes highlight the continuous scrutiny faced by commercially successful artists and the inherent risks in the creative process within the contemporary music industry. Such lawsuits, regardless of their outcome, can be financially taxing, emotionally draining, and potentially damaging to an artist’s reputation, even if unintentional infringement is proven.
The Legacy of Inspiration and Legal Precedent
Sam Smith’s reflections offer valuable insight into the human dimension of music copyright disputes. It reveals that beyond the legal and financial aspects, there is often a profound emotional toll on the artists involved. Petty’s letter, initially perceived as a continuation of the legal challenge, is now understood by Smith as a gesture of empathy and solidarity from an industry veteran. This shift in understanding underscores the power of time and introspection in recontextualizing challenging experiences.
The "Stay With Me" case, alongside other landmark disputes, continues to shape discussions around intellectual property in music. It serves as a reminder for artists to be vigilant, for publishers to conduct thorough checks, and for the legal system to navigate the delicate balance between protecting creators and encouraging innovation. The story of Sam Smith and Tom Petty is not just about a legal battle; it is about the intricate web of inspiration, influence, and the complex, often challenging, journey of bringing original music to the world. It ultimately underscores that while music is a boundless realm of creativity, it operates within a framework of legal and ethical considerations that demand respect and understanding from all involved. The enduring legacy of both "Stay With Me" and "I Won’t Back Down" remains undiminished, testament to their individual artistic merit, even as their intertwined history continues to resonate within the discourse of musical originality.
