Scroll To Top
Music

Sam Smith Sued For Allegedly Copying This Hit Song

Sam Smith Sued For Allegedly Copying This Hit Song

Listen to both tracks here.

cornbreadsays

A copyright lawsuit has been filed against pop singers Sam Smith and Normani over their 2019 hit track "Dancing With a Stranger."

Songwriters Jordan Vincent, Christopher Miranda and Rosco Banlaoi have accused Smith and Normani, along with a list of names, of stealing the core from their 2015 track "Dancing With Strangers." The songwriters say the tracks are "strikingly similar." 

“The hook/chorus in both songs—the most significant part and artistic aspect of these works—contains the lyrics ‘dancing with a stranger’ being sung over a nearly identical melody and musical composition,” the lawsuit reads. “In both songs, the title, hook, chorus, lyrics, and musical composition are all the same—and are repeated throughout the song giving both songs their identities.”

To really hear the similarities, the songwriters asked the court to slow the song down to the same BPM as Smith's version where the keys of the song allegedly match. They also say the videos – which both feature moody interpretive dancers – are too similar to be coincidence.

Listen to both songs below:

"Dancing With A Stranger" - Sam Smith, Normani

"Dancing With Strangers" - Jordan Vincent

Do you think they sound similar? 

This case is on the heels of another lawsuit involving a major pop artist. A reggae band is suing Dua Lipa over her 2020 disco-pop hit "Levitating." 

Neither Lipa, Smith, or Normani have publicly responded to the claims. Vincent's lawsuit seeks compensation for the damages he has suffered from Universal Music Group, Sony Music Group, and EMI Music Publishing. 

30 Years of Out100Out / Advocate Magazine - Jonathan Groff and Wayne Brady

From our Sponsors

Most Popular

Latest Stories

author avatar

Taylor Henderson

Taylor Henderson is a PRIDE.com contributor. This proud Texas Bama studied Media Production/Studies and Sociology at The University of Texas at Austin, where he developed his passions for pop culture, writing, and videography. He's absolutely obsessed with Beyoncé, mangoes, and cheesy YA novels that allow him to vicariously experience the teen years he spent in the closet. He's also writing one! 

Taylor Henderson is a PRIDE.com contributor. This proud Texas Bama studied Media Production/Studies and Sociology at The University of Texas at Austin, where he developed his passions for pop culture, writing, and videography. He's absolutely obsessed with Beyoncé, mangoes, and cheesy YA novels that allow him to vicariously experience the teen years he spent in the closet. He's also writing one!