Did David Cook Rip-Off "Eleanor Rigby"?

121. About 8 years ago I went to see Marilyn Manson and he had a band that opened for him called God Head. This band did a version of Eleanor Rigby that was very similar to the version that David sang last night only better. For this reason I was disappointed in his performance.

Posted at 9:51PM on Mar 12th 2008 by MaraJayne

122. I'm no expert but I wouldn't say it was exactly the same. It's similar because it's a rock version of the same song. With all due respect to this other band, Cook has a better voice too.

Cook's performance of 'Hello' is the only thing I've ever downloaded from AI. I'm sure someone is going to jump up and take credit for that one too but I don't care. He sang it, I like the way he sang it and I don't care who else sang it. I guess the same goes for 'Eleanor Rigby'.

Posted at 9:01PM on Mar 12th 2008 by Jenny

123. Come on now. Idol paid big bucks for the rights to the Lennon/McCarney album. It's hard to get and very expensive. Do you REALLY think a not-really-known-by-anyone band could afford that? Sounds like they need to keep thier yap shut before THEY get sued. Which is probably happening as we speak. Stupid.

Posted at 9:07PM on Mar 12th 2008 by Shelley

124. Gawd - talk about publicity freaks. get over it.

Posted at 9:17PM on Mar 12th 2008 by Kristina

125. For everyone who is leaving comments on this subject: If any of you are musicians (and work hard at it), you know that it takes time to develop a good arrangement of ANY song, let alone an iconic song like, "Elenore Rigby". Yes, it's a cover, but it is a damn fine arrangement. I know DOXOLOGY, I've heard the original version (which is about a year and a half old), and I've heard their most recent version (which was fine-tuned by Emmy Award winning producer, Jorge Vivo -- just a little extra info for those of you who are down-playing the significance of covers, Doxology's version of this particular cover, and Doxology as a band.) For those who have anything disparaging to say about either Doxology or the AI contestant, David Cook: If YOU PERSONALLY have ever done anything significant in any particular area, I'm sure you would not want someone to copy you without at least giving attribution, whether it's music, writing, math formulas, WHATEVER...That's all Doxology is asking for, a mention, a friggin NOD, that's IT...There is a very easy way to settle this...Ask David where he heard it and what CD he used to prep himself for his performance. Knowing Doxology, having heard the original arrangement, knowing how long they worked on their version and what heavy hitters have helped them refine it -- it's without a doubt that I know David used their version as his model. It's just NOT COOL of David to let another band do all the work for such a cool version and not, AT LEAST, mention where he got the material.

Posted at 9:38PM on Mar 12th 2008 by realmusic

126. After reading though the whole thread, I want to add to my previous comment. I have an issue. Early on I thought David Cook very arrogant and didnt like him, but the last two weeks I've been warming to him for being creative and innovative with his songs. Then last night when I heard what I recognized as being very similar to God Head I was disappointed. Now reading through and hearing that Incubus did a similar version of Hello makes me even more disappointed. I don't deny that he's pulled off the versions of what he's done, but dont take credit for them. It's like when Chris Daughtry did I Walk Alone and gave credit the next day to Live. At least he GAVE CREDIT. It's not about fame or anything like that. Its about letting people thing you created something that you didnt.

Posted at 9:56PM on Mar 12th 2008 by MaraJayne

127. We have heard both David Cook and Doxology perform "Eleanor Rigby" and both were great. Props to Doxology for an amazing arrangment. People need to chill on all of the negative comments - DX deserves to get some recognition and are not wrong to point this out. If you were an honest, hard working musician and you put your creativity, focus , heart and soul into all of your music, both original pieces and this one cover song.... you would probably want the respect from someone (David Cook) who was inspired enough by your arrangment to sing it for American Idol to also give you at least a shout out.

***It is kind of a bummer that just a couple weeks ago, David Cook was not so different from these guys - hard working and doing music for the love of music, performing wherever he could get a gig. I hope he always remembers where he came from.

DOXOLOGY - MEGA KUDOS to you guys!

Posted at 10:13PM on Mar 12th 2008 by LRS & ARP

128. WOAH WOAH WOAH!!
Okay, tell me I heard and read this wrong!
This band DOXOLOGY is accusing DAVID COOK for taking "their version" of ELEANOR RIGBY??

Well I listened to both of them.
Not only did the band DOXOLOGY sing the song with 99.99% of the same exact lyrics as The Beatles (I'm a HUGE Beatles fan, so I know this song by heart) but they took the same beat and music to it too, just adding more guitar.
And I think that they sang the song badly.

It wasn't even THEIR song to begin with, therefore they shouldn't be complaining.

And it's even more sad that "the bands manager tells TMZ the song is what they're best known for. . ."
Wow. Best knows for SOMEONE ELSES WORK??
Sheesh!
LAMEEE!!!

David sang the song once, for a performance. not 200 times like DOXOLOGY.
They ripped it off completly!!

I think DOXOLOGY should just shut the crap, and realize that they're being pretty hypocritical.
=/

Posted at 10:14PM on Mar 12th 2008 by TANGELLO

129. ok i dont see how this is said to be the same as davids. it is a rock version, thats about the only similarity they have. and anyway, davids voice is better than the lead singer in this band. he may have copied the arrangment a little but thats what music is, everyone samples from everybody else. i dont see they big deal. besides if they were that good they would be on the radio. ive never even heard of this group until now

Posted at 10:31PM on Mar 12th 2008 by John

130. MaraJayne - so you expect him to be aware of every cover version of Eleanor Rigby that's ever been done? How can he do that? Maybe he's never heard of God Head. So where did God Head get their version from? Did they copy Doxology? I'm sure Doxology would say they did.

This is what happens when multiple people do a rock version of the same popular song. They sound alike. It doesn't mean anyone has copied anyone.

Posted at 10:16PM on Mar 12th 2008 by Jenny

131. how can you rip off a song that's already been ripped off? I'm getting my CD of Revolver and listening to the actual song

Posted at 10:19PM on Mar 12th 2008 by regina

132. DOXOLOGY WANTS PROPS FOR WHAT??? ITS NOT THEIR SONG TO BEGIN WITH. THEY BARELY CHANGED A SINGLE WORD FROM THE ORIGINAL. O WAIT, THEY WAIT PROPS BC THEY WANT SOMEONE TO MENTION THEIR NAME BC THEY SUCK. GIVE ME A BREAK. THIS IS HOLLYWOOD, EVERYONE SAMPLES FROM EVERYONE..HE PROBABLY DIDNT EVEN U KNOW U DID A COVER OF THAT SONG. DOXOLOGY DIDNT EVEN DO ANYTHING SPECIAL WITH THE SONG, THEY JUST MADE A IT A ROCK VERSION. SAME THING DAVID DID. U DIDNT MAKE THE SONG UR OWN SONG IN ANY WAY. DONT HATE ON DAVID BC HE IS WHERE HE IS AND U ARE WHERE U ARE . IF UR VERSION WAS SOOOO GREAT THEN IM SURE WE WOULD HAVE ALL HEARD IT ON THE RADIO BY NOW. GIVE CREDIT WHERE CREDIT IS DUE, DAVID SANG IT BETTER, END OF DISCUSSION!!!!!!!!

Posted at 5:59PM on Mar 13th 2008 by JOHN

133. First off, you can't claim copyright on an ARRANGEMENT of a particular work. David Cook, nor Idol, did anything LEGALLY wrong. David covered a song, which is completely legal, and Fox publicized that performance, which is legal so long as American Idol/Fox is paying the respective PRO (such as ASCAP, BMI, or SESAC) so that money can then be paid to the Lennon and McCartney songwriting estates.

Now that the legal issue has been addressed, it's now just an issue of morality. The arrangements sound very similar, and if David Cook did rip off the arrangement from Doxology, then I think he should at least mention their name to show the public that he is a still moral person and that show biz and popularity hasn't gotten to his head.

It's wise that Doxology is not going to sue David Cook. They'd most likely lose the lawsuit if they tried. David Cook may have used their arrangement (and if he did, then I believe he should say that), but Doxology holds no rights to "Eleanor Rigby," or any arrangement of it, whatsoever because again - YOU CANNOT COPYRIGHT AN ARRANGEMENT!

On the other hand, if it can be proved that David Cook did NOT rip off Doxology's arrangement, AND this issue turns into something bigger and causes David Cook to lose fans, there's actually a potential that David could sue Doxology for slander or defamation, especially if this harms his image in the public eye (yes, you can sue for that stuff).

Doxology needs to stop crying over something that has most definitely boosted their publicity and instead should thank David for covering their arrangement (if that is indeed what he did). Likewise, if David based his arrangement on Doxology's, then he should thank the band for such a great rendition.

Personally, I like David Cook's 'rendition' of "Eleanor Rigby" much better. His voice has the perfect grittiness and timbre to actually make it a distinctive, unique, and fabulous-sounding rock vocal and rock cover. Not to mention that he's an incredible vocalist, and after all, the show in question is American Idol. It's about finding the best singer.

Posted at 10:34PM on Mar 12th 2008 by PopKorn615

134. ahhh who cares? I LOVE david Cook

Posted at 10:40PM on Mar 12th 2008 by Raine

135. ACTUALLY ,.... Godhead remade this song after the Beatles way before this little no name band so they should not get any props

Posted at 10:42PM on Mar 12th 2008 by Amber