- (Alex) When is a song fully original,
and when is it not?
Music has a layered history,
so you might not know that a song you love
is sampling from a song in the past.
Some are obvious. Some aren't.
But we've got you covered
by breaking it down every episode.
This is Sample School.
This episode, we'll be diving
into "Stay with Me" by Sam Smith.
The U.K. has had a penchant
for churning out
ridiculously talented artists,
from the Beatles to the Who
to Amy Winehouse to Adele.
Sam Smith is no exception to the rule,
ss the English crooner rose to fame
when he was featured
on the 2012 Disclosure song "Latch."
Since then, he's become
the music industry's Captain Hook,
energizing choruses for multiple artists,
eventually getting the opportunity
to write and perform
the theme song for a Bond movie.
Smith's solo career took off
when he released "Stay with Me,"
the single off his debut album,
In the Lonely Hour,
which hit number two
on the Billboard Hot 100
and sold over 4 million copies in the U.S.
It got even more jewelry
at the Grammy Awards,
where it won Record and Song of the Year.
According to Smith,
the song was written
in about 30 to 40 minutes.
That is WAY less time than it took
to research and write this script.
However, "Stay with Me" also brought about
intrigue and controversy.
There's no doubt that,
when that instrumental kicks in,
it brings in the feels.
But is it a Sam Smith original,
or is it actually sampled
from another song?
All right, time to analyze
some instrumentals.
Let's start by playing back
"Stay with Me."
- ♪ Oh, won't you stay with me? ♪
♪ 'Cause you're all I need ♪
- (Alex) Ah, so catchy.
But what happens when
its speed is turned up just a little,
some guitars added,
and the bass, piano,
and Sam Smith are removed?
- ♪ Stay with Me ♪
♪ (soft alternative rock) ♪
- (Alex) That sounds pretty familiar.
How about we compare it
to another track made in 1989?
- ♪ I'm gonna stand my ground ♪
♪ And I won't back down ♪
- (Alex) "Stay with Me" does
sound similar to this song,
which is the 1989 hit from
Tom Petty, "I Won't Back Down."
While it isn't directly documented
that "Stay with Me" sampled Petty's song,
controversy arose when various
news sources began pointing out
the distinct similarities
between the two songs,
eventually grabbing
the attention of Petty's lawyers.
After being influenced
by the Beatles to start his own band,
Florida-born Tom Betty
performed with many bands,
including the Epics, Mudcrutch,
and the Heartbreakers.
He went the solo route
and in 1989 released
the album Full Moon Fever,
with the "round your drunk
friends up and sing" classic
"Free Fallin'" and "I Won't Back Down."
"I Won't Back Down" reached number 12
on the Billboard Hot 100,
remaining popular for years after
as a frequent anthem
for political campaigns and sports teams.
Though the song itself
hasn't been sampled much,
it's made for some popular covers
by real Reel Big Fish...
- ♪ Well, I won't back down ♪
♪ No, I won't back down ♪
- (Alex) ...Pearl Jam...
- ♪ Well, I won't back down ♪
♪ Well, I won't back down ♪
- (Alex) ...and even Johnny Cash.
- ♪ Well, I won't back down ♪
♪ No, I won't back down ♪
- (Alex) As for what Tom thought
of Sam's song similarities,
he said he has no hard feelings
and that it was a musical accident.
Not to mention the guy's also
quite busy, as he's still touring.
Coincidence or not, Smith agreed
the songs do sound similar
and, through reportedly
mutual cooperation,
eventually gave Petty
partial songwriting royalties.
All right, so let's recap.
"Stay with Me" was written
in less time than it takes
to watch an episode of Stranger Things,
Sam Smith didn't officially
sample "I Won't Back Down,"
and both musicians reached an agreement
over the track similarities
so that fans of both artists
can go back to getting these songs
stuck in their heads in peace.
(bell rings)
And with that, today's lesson is over.
Consider yourself Sample Schooled.
Thanks for watching another
episode of Sample School,
episode two, done and done.
Let us know what songs
we should break down next
in the comments below
and if now whenever
you hear Sam Smith's song
it sounds like Tom Petty's song
slowed down by mistake.
Thanks for all the support.
And on behalf of everyone
here at FBE, see you next time.
♪ (pop music) ♪
