Jessica Takes A "Holiday"?

Posted Jun 23rd 2006 2:41PM by TMZ Staff

Madonna might be more than a little surprised when she hears the title track and first single off of Jessica Simpson's new album "A Public Affair."

The single appears to bear a striking resemblance to Madonna's 1983 hit "Holiday."  In fact, the songs sounds eerily similar.

From the synth-pop beat to the jangly guitars in the beginning, to the eight-note motifs in the verses to the choruses that begin on an A and the use of the same key (B-minor), the two songs are so similar that, in a highly unscientific poll, every person to whom TMZ played "A Public Affair" identified it as "Holiday."   Will Jellybean Benitez (who produced the original) be getting royalties for this? 

TMZ called a rep for Madonna, but as of yet our calls have not been returned. As for Jessica, her rep tells TMZ "It is a fun summer single and comparing to retro Madonna is flattering!"

But don't trust our ears: You be the judge. Listen to Jessica's "A Public Affair" and Madonna's "Holiday" to compare.



Filed under: Music, Madonna, Jessica Simpson

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Reader Comments

(Page 33 of 34)Previous 15 Comments | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | Most Recent | Next 15 Comments

481. Definately "Holiday" but also, "Aint no Mountain high enough" ahh well, new generation of sampling, they do it all the time thinking nooone remembers the last time it was done.. Jelly Bean Benitez gets the mula for this sample, he wrote and produced it. GO JELLY!

Posted at 5:15PM on Jul 31st 2006 by Celina

482. Jessica needs to pack it up and go knocking on Britney's door. She's had her day in the sun. Sister Ashlee is on the way up and looking good. Jess just doesn't have it anymore. Next please!

Posted at 10:11PM on Jul 31st 2006 by Brian

483. Madonna did not rip off ABBA, she personally asked them if she could sample their song. A PUBLIC AFFAIR doesn't sample HOLIDAY. It simply takes redoes HOLIDAY and changes a few chords here and there.

Posted at 3:13PM on Aug 1st 2006 by Taeylor

484. Speaking as a person with a degree in music, I don't think this is a rip off. Yeah, there are a few similar chord progressions, and there is some similar instrumentation, but I wouldn't go so far as to say anything was sampled. The melodies aren't even close. I don't think that Jessica Simpson has much involvement with writing and producing her own arrangements anyway. Besides, how much original thought is out there anymore? Isn't every artist influenced and inspired by others? If we're going to get picky, then let's rip every hiphop and rap album that has sampled someone else's work.

I'm a big Madonna fan, and I think people are making much ado about nothing. I think it's a cute, fun, dance song for Jessica Simpson, and people should just be quiet (and quit blogging themselves to death) until or unless they are creative enough to write a better song.

Posted at 3:16AM on Aug 4th 2006 by MadonnaFan

485. Madonna did not rip of Abba, she sampled the song LEGALLY! Jessica's people better prepare themselves for a law suit. Imitation they say is a form of flattery, but Jessica needs to get some original talent of her own!

Posted at 4:42PM on Aug 6th 2006 by Lori

486. I absolutely LOVE the 80's vibe! Aaaand, I'd choose Jessica over Brit, X-tina, Paris and all the other little pop princesses out there!

Posted at 9:50PM on Aug 6th 2006 by Sher

487. The only similarity is the intro. period.

Posted at 6:09PM on Aug 7th 2006 by Zac

488. What an idiot! Jessica Simpson has no talent, maybe we should just start ignoring her and she'll go away!

Posted at 12:33PM on Aug 8th 2006 by sandra

489. Please! Madonna didn't rip off ABBA you moron. It's called sampling. She got ABBA's PERMISSION to use a "clip" of one of their songs and they are earning royalties from it. She is not trying to pass it off as ABBA'ish and saying it is an original. Get a clue.

Posted at 8:52PM on Aug 10th 2006 by shannon

490. To Comment # 13 ( Madonna ripped off Abba )

Madonna DID NOT RIP OFF ABBA,
She begged them for the sample and
they { as nearly anyone does for Madonna }
collapsed to her plan and gave in.
Madonna paid huge dollars to ABBA for that track
and i am very certain the royalties are lovely.
By the way, 1983 was the year Holiday premiered &
it was re-released in 85.
Jessica Simpson would have been 3 the first time round.
Poor Gal.
Good Day, Tanya

Posted at 5:49AM on Aug 14th 2006 by Tanya

491. I can not believe how inappropriate the video for A Public Affair is,
why does she feel that she needs to be trashy , and what is with the ice cream cone? How vulgar, don't little girls play her music, I bet not anymore,
Does her daddy know about that or did he promote it for $$$$$$$
awful!!!!!!!

Posted at 3:43PM on Aug 15th 2006 by Terri

492. Jessica is very talented and not the first by any count to barrow from other hits.

Posted at 2:51PM on Aug 20th 2006 by Lee

493. OH.... SHE IS A "GOOD" girl. What a JOKE! What ever happened to for better or worst. I hope Nick and his new girlfriend rub her nose in it. By the way, Joe the Dad of THE SIMPSONS ... he gives being a CHRISTIAN a "BAD NAME".

Posted at 5:44PM on Aug 20th 2006 by Lynn

494. Lawsuit, can't do that, Joe should know better and Jess too!

Posted at 7:00PM on Aug 20th 2006 by Lidia

495. They even manage to get in a little "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" near the end. Something about that is brilliant. "Holiday" and its writers need to be credited, but any record that can fuse "Holiday" with "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" - and add a hooky chorus of its own in between - ain't the work of amateurs. This album is the work of some major hook-meisters (what we liked about teen pop to begin with).

Posted at 2:02PM on Aug 28th 2006 by Fishcough

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