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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(Page 6 of 34)Previous 15 Comments | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | Most Recent | Next 15 Comments

76. I beleive she did copy like everything else.....She is a big phony.

Posted at 1:27AM on Jun 24th 2006 by Rose818

77. FIGURES SHE WOULD DO SOMETIHNG LIKE THAT. SHE NEVER COULD SING FROM THE DAME BEGINNING. SHE'S EITHER SCREAMING TO THE TOP OF HER LUNGS OR WHISPERING. AFTER ALL THESE YEARS MADONNA STILL CAN STILL OUT BLOW JESSICA ANYDAY.

Posted at 1:51AM on Jun 24th 2006 by Rocky

78. I really dont care. After what she did to nick i wouldnt buy her crap.I am no longer a fan of hers.Never was nick's fan but i feel bad for him.

Posted at 2:02AM on Jun 24th 2006 by Sara

79. i think its a great song , i hear a lot of other artists use other songs for their music , so why are ripping on jessica for ? hip hop does it a lot!!! i listened to holiday at least 1000 times and is doesnt sound like it all !

Posted at 2:04AM on Jun 24th 2006 by diane

80. yea it kinda does .....but it dont in a lotta ways i think it sucks tho thats for sure theres nuthin to it make me wanna hear it it sounds like tis missing something she can really sing when she wants to and that song she sounds like shes being forced to sing......should of stuck with nick!!!

Posted at 3:00AM on Jun 24th 2006 by gina

81. they are pretty similar. not an exact likeness esp. when you get further into the song. but who cares? this is just another piece of pop fluff. the real sights should be set on furtado, watley and aguilera this summer. those are the projects to watch.

Posted at 3:16AM on Jun 24th 2006 by sean

82. lmao..smh..let's start puttin out some age appropriate music Jessica. this cutesy bubblegum pop is as appealing as crimped hair set with aquanet.

Posted at 3:52AM on Jun 24th 2006 by Che

83. Although the melody sounds alike, I wouldnt consider it a rip off. I was ready to shut the song off before it was over.

Posted at 5:23AM on Jun 24th 2006 by Jen

84. Yes it's very similar to Holiday but so what! All of the pop and hip-hop artists from the 80's to now have sampled or ripped of from their predecessors, including Ms. Madonna. No one mentioned that the background chorus towards the end is a rip-off of Ain't no Mountain High Enough by Diana Ross!

Posted at 6:21AM on Jun 24th 2006 by Beverly Rhett

85. It does sound a bit similar musically at the beginning. Who gives s sh!t, but songs/artists are nothing more than bubblegum crap merchants (Madonna is slightly more legit than Simpson).

If we all ignore Jessica Simpson, she WILL go away, ya know.

Posted at 7:19AM on Jun 24th 2006 by Hill

86. That should be "both songs/artists are nothing more than..."

Posted at 7:21AM on Jun 24th 2006 by Hill

87. It's a cute song, but it not only is a complete Madonna/"Holiday" clone, but at the end, it also incorporates Diana Ross' "Aaah, aaah, aaah, aaah" chorus from "Ain't No Mountain High Enough." Original? No. Catchy summer tune? Sure. What ISN'T a retro-pastiche these days, anyway? Jessica isn't the first to do it, and won't be the last, so let's not expend so much energy on hating...it's ONLY pop music, folks.

Posted at 8:35AM on Jun 24th 2006 by TJ

88. I see the Madonna comparison, it's very weak to me. What do you expect from "The Simpsons".. Not a fan

Posted at 8:48AM on Jun 24th 2006 by Lisa

89.

Don't blame Jess, Poppa Joe tells her everthing to do and not to do,,,I think he even tells her when to go to the Jon and what to do when she gets in there........

Posted at 9:47AM on Jun 24th 2006 by Robert O Graham

90. I don't think she's going to do better than what her album did when she was on the show with nick. I think she has a wonderful voice but the wrong songs and wrong producers. Now, if her album is anything like Nick's album which refers to the marriage and break-up then she will do well. That is what people what to here. So, hopefully she comes to realize that she started her marriage in the public eye just to make a $, so why not end it in the public eye. Oh, by the way....Nick's album is great, I heard the whole thing and let's just say he's out grown the boy band thing.

Posted at 10:07AM on Jun 24th 2006 by Princess

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