Home : American Idol : Did David Cook Rip-Off "Eleanor Rigby"?

Did David Cook Rip-Off "Eleanor Rigby"?

Posted Mar 12th 2008 2:22PM by TMZ Staff

David Cook was on fire with his rendition of the Beatles classic "Eleanor Rigby" on "Idol" last night -- but a Seattle band claims he swiped the arrangement from them.


The band DOXOLOGY recorded their version of the track a year and a half ago, putting it up on iTunes and on the band's MySpace page. The band's manager tells TMZ the song is what they're best known for and have played it at nearly 200 shows.

Click to hear!The manager says the band has no intention of suing, but they're trying to get in touch with the show -- they want some props.

"Idol" tells TMZ the contestants pick their song and present their ideas for the arrangement to the show's musical department and work with them on it.

Welcome to Hollywood.



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16. Godhead recorded a rocked out version of Eleanor Rigby a while back. It's not new. People need to get over it.

Posted at 2:46PM on Mar 12th 2008 by nunya

17. Shocking. Cover versions of the same song actually sound kind of alike. Maybe cause they're the same song. Perhaps somebody should explain to these guys that it's not their song; they don't get to be pissed off over battling cover versions. If the best thing you've got going is a cover then you're pretty sad to begin with.

Posted at 3:05PM on Mar 12th 2008 by EDHGirl

18. SantaMonica, what are you smoking? It doesn't even sound close to Me First and Gimme Gimmes, which is a punk version. You have to be completely musically impaired and deaf to think they are even similar.

Furthermore, I dont think the version last night sounded anything like Doxology either. The stupid link here didn't work, but it's available on their web site and is a bit mediocre compared to Cook.

Posted at 2:51PM on Mar 12th 2008 by Fanito Bandito

19. It's a Beatles song, not a Doxology song. Geez. I'd give them props my ass.

Posted at 2:53PM on Mar 12th 2008 by Lydia Layne

20. Furthermore, I dont think the version last night sounded anything like Doxology either. The stupid link here didn't work, but it's available on their web site and is a bit mediocre compared to Cook.

Posted at 2:51PM on Mar 12th 2008 by Fanito Bandito

DITTO on all counts.

Posted at 2:55PM on Mar 12th 2008 by Lydia Layne

21. The song he sang last week - "Hello" by Lionel Richie - was a great performance by him as well, but no one seems to know that he ripped that arrangement off of a live performance by Incubus. You can hear it on their live CD that came out a couple years back (it was a quick interlude and may not be listed on the track list, but it's on there). Great that he's doing so well, but he's being given a lot of credit for coming up with these arrangements when he's in fact ripping them off from others.

Posted at 2:57PM on Mar 12th 2008 by mary

22. It doesn't sound like the band Doxology is really asking for anything except a little credit. I mean come on listen to it. It sounds the exact same. Also, a cover is a cover for sure but I think the problem is he stole the arrangement and totally tried to make it his own.. Has anyone really even listened to the Doxology version yet?

Posted at 8:28PM on Mar 12th 2008 by peterp1303

23. First off, yes Doxology did cover this song and it is not their's its the Beattles, but all these guys are asking for is a little bit of props for an amazing arrangement that they did. When I heard David perform it last night I looked at my husband and sayed this sounds just like Doxology's version.

Also, this band is amazing I have personally attended countless shows and let me tell you they are way more entertainging than a lot bands out in the music industry today and they sound way better.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Posted at 3:01PM on Mar 12th 2008 by Maggott

24. You can't copyright or trademark a song arrangement! These losers are trying for some free PR and TMZ is falling for the bait. Get a life.

Posted at 3:09PM on Mar 12th 2008 by Jose Arribas

25. credit should be given where credit is due - doxology did an great arrangement on a classic, and to hear it on american idol is a bit disturbing. have some sympathy for these talented musicians.

Posted at 4:08PM on Mar 12th 2008 by dx fan

26. THERE ARE NUMEROUS BANDS THAT COVER THIS SONG!
Including God head and Panic At the disco ( which even used it on last years tour).

They are crazy.

Posted at 3:17PM on Mar 12th 2008 by Kimie

27. So a cover band thinks they own the definitive way to sing a cover now? I think the 100 gabillions of other band that sing Beatles tunes should also sue- and then the remaining Beatles people should sue all of them! SUE! SUE! SUE! SUE EVERYONE!!!!! F' these losers! They are just trying to get coverage! I won't even say their name! F' YOU if you read this!!!!

Posted at 3:11PM on Mar 12th 2008 by Bullcrap!

28. I don't think he ripped them off. It's a similar arrangement, but so what? If anything, they should be glad that he's drawing attention to their music. Look what Jason Castro did for Jeff Buckley's "Hallelujah." Stop crying already!!

Posted at 2:38PM on Mar 13th 2008 by Gwen

29. Please. This band rips off another band then has the nerve to be upset when the song sounds like theirs?! Give me a break.

This is the most publicity this unknown band will ever get. Enjoy your 15 minutes!

Posted at 3:14PM on Mar 12th 2008 by Ha!

30. How can u be pissed over a song when it's not your song to start with........get over it....

Posted at 3:14PM on Mar 12th 2008 by sam

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