What song was Ed Sheeran accused of plagiarizing?

Asked by: Alexys Carroll  |  Last update: May 27, 2026
Score: 4.5/5 (33 votes)

Ed Sheeran was accused of copying Marvin Gaye's "Let's Get It On" in his hit song "Thinking Out Loud," with the lawsuit claiming similar chord progressions and rhythmic patterns, but Sheeran won the case in 2023, with courts ruling the musical elements were common building blocks, not protectable originality. A separate, earlier lawsuit also accused him of copying elements for his song "Shape of You," but he also prevailed in that case.

What song was Ed Sheeran accused of copying?

WASHINGTON, June 16 (Reuters) - The U.S. Supreme Court turned away on Monday a bid to revive a copyright infringement lawsuit accusing pop star Ed Sheeran of unlawfully copying from the late singer Marvin Gaye's 1973 classic "Let's Get It On" in his 2014 hit song "Thinking Out Loud."

What song did Blurred Lines plagiarize?

Robin Thicke and Pharrell Williams's "Blurred Lines" was found to have copied elements from Marvin Gaye's 1977 song, "Got to Give It Up," leading to a copyright infringement lawsuit won by Gaye's estate, though the ruling focused on the songs' "groove," "vibe," and underlying composition rather than specific melodies or lyrics. A jury determined the songs shared substantial similarity in their "signature phrases, hooks, bass lines, keyboard chords, harmonic structures and vocal melodies," resulting in Gaye's family receiving millions in damages. 

What song did Ed Sheeran copy from Marvin Gaye?

Ed Sheeran was accused of copying Marvin Gaye's "Let's Get It On" in his song "Thinking Out Loud," with a lawsuit claiming he stole the chord progression, but after two trials and appeals, courts consistently ruled in Sheeran's favor, finding no copyright infringement and citing common musical building blocks, with the U.S. Supreme Court declining to hear the final appeal in 2025, ending the long legal battle. 

What is the story behind the song Nancy Mulligan?

"Nancy Mulligan" is one of the most personal songs on the album, telling the story of how his grandparents, William Sheeran, a Protestant from Belfast, Northern Ireland and Anne "Nancy" Mulligan, a Catholic from the Republic of Ireland, met, fell in love during the Second World War and got married at the Wexford border ...

Ed Sheeran Shows on His Guitar How He Won His Copyright Lawsuit

22 related questions found

Why didn't Taylor Swift tell Ed Sheeran about her engagement?

Taylor Swift didn't tell Ed Sheeran about her engagement directly because he doesn't use a cell phone, so he learned about it on Instagram like everyone else, leading her to joke that they simply "forgot to call Ed" as he slipped through the usual contact list of recent texters. She contacts him via email or by arranging an iPad for FaceTime, but he wasn't in her recent text history, and she discovered the oversight after the news broke, she explained on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. 

What is the saddest song by Ed Sheeran?

Ed Sheeran's saddest songs often deal with grief, loss, and heartbreak, with popular examples including "Supermarket Flowers" (loss of grandmother), "Small Bump" (miscarriage), and the more recent "Eyes Closed" (loss of a friend), alongside deeply personal tracks like "Afire Love" and reflective pieces such as "Photograph," all capturing profound emotional struggles. 

What did Ed Sheeran say about Taylor Swift?

Ed Sheeran consistently praises Taylor Swift, calling her a "sibling" and "one of the only people that truly understands" his unique career pressures, comparing their creative bond to James Taylor and Carole King, and emphasizing their deep, long-lasting friendship where they support each other through life's challenges, despite not always being in constant contact. He sees their connection as intertwined creatively and personally, noting they "lock back in" like no time has passed when they do meet.
 

What condition does Ed Sheeran have?

Sheeran has been candid about his struggles with social anxiety disorder, a condition characterized by excessive fear of social situations and a strong desire to avoid them.

What is the #1 song of all time?

There's no single "number one song of all time" as it's subjective, but The Weeknd's "Blinding Lights" is Billboard's top song on their All-Time Hot 100 chart, while Elton John's "Candle in the Wind 1997" or Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars' "Die With A Smile" (depending on the chart) often lead global sales/streams, and George Gershwin's "Summertime" is the most recorded song ever. Different metrics (charts, sales, recordings) yield different answers, highlighting music's diverse popularity. 

Why did Robin Thicke walk off Masked Singer?

Robin Thicke walked off The Masked Singer set in protest after Rudy Giuliani was revealed as a contestant during Season 7 filming, joining judge Ken Jeong, as they both disapproved of the controversial former mayor's appearance on the show, though sources suggested Thicke followed Jeong out of concern for his friend as much as political protest.
 

What is the most copied song ever?

🎤🌍 Yesterday” by The Beatles is widely considered the most covered song in music history. According to the Guinness World Records, "Yesterday" has over 2,200 recorded cover versions, making it the most covered song ever.

What did Miley Cyrus do to Robin Thicke?

The main event between Robin Thicke and Miley Cyrus was their highly controversial 2013 MTV Video Music Awards (VMA) performance, where Cyrus, in a nude latex bikini, twerked suggestively and touched Thicke during his hit "Blurred Lines," sparking massive public backlash and debates about sexuality, art, and consent, and marking a pivotal moment in Cyrus's transition from child star to adult artist. While Thicke initially called it humorous and artistic, Cyrus later felt it sexualized her, and the event coincided with the breakdown of Thicke's marriage to Paula Patton, who reportedly felt disrespected by the performance and subsequent photos of Thicke. 

What song was Dua Lipa accused of copying?

Brown and Linzer's case alleged that Lipa stole the opening melody of Levitating, where she sings: "If you wanna run away with me, I know a galaxy and I can take you for a ride."

Who is suing Taylor Swift for copyright?

Calling it a “frivolous and harassing lawsuit,” Swift's lawyers urged Judge Aileen Cannon to dismiss a case filed by Florida poet Kimberly Marasco, who earlier this year filed her second attempt at a copyright suit against Swift.

Why did Ed Sheeran apologize?

Ed Sheeran has apologised after he was accused of disrespecting Ruben Amorim during his post-match interview 😅 Good apology.

What famous singer has Asperger's?

The most famous singer publicly known for having Asperger's syndrome (now often diagnosed under Autism Spectrum Disorder) is Susan Boyle, the Scottish singer who gained fame on Britain's Got Talent, finding her diagnosis a source of relief and understanding. Another notable musician is Travis Meeks, singer for Days of the New, who has also spoken openly about his diagnosis and its impact on his life and art, as noted on.
 

What does Ed Sheeran identify as?

Ed Sheeran identifies culturally as Irish, despite being born and raised in England, due to his strong upbringing with Irish heritage from his father's side, extensive family ties, and early musical experiences with traditional Irish music during holidays in Ireland, which he says shaped his identity and for which he holds an Irish passport. 

When did Ed Sheeran's come out?

He released his first EP, 'The Orange Room,' in 2005, when he was just 14 years old; it did not chart on the Billboard 200. Debut studio album '+' ('Plus') arrived in 2011 and peaked at No. 5, while lead single "The A Team" reached No. 16 on the Hot 100.

What song did Ed Sheeran write for Taylor Swift?

Ed Sheeran and Taylor Swift wrote several songs together, most notably "Everything Has Changed" (from Red), "Run" (a vault track on Red (Taylor's Version)), and "End Game" (from Reputation). They also collaborated on "The Joker and the Queen," a duet released in 2022. 

Who is Taylor Swift's best friend in real life?

Taylor Swift's longtime best friend is Abigail Anderson Berard, who she met on the first day of freshman year in high school, and their friendship has been featured in songs like "Fifteen" and "Ruin the Friendship". Anderson Berard has been a constant presence, supporting Swift through life milestones, and recently welcomed her first baby in 2024.
 

What did Elton John say about Taylor Swift?

She is a great songwriter, she is a great artist, she's phenomenal. I've never seen such a phenomenon since The Beatles. - Elton John speaking of Taylor Swift. A Midnights Guy.

What song does Ed Sheeran want played at his funeral?

I would want to have , Clancy BRothers” Isn't it Grand “ at my funeral.

What is the #1 song ever?

There's no single "number one song of all time" as it's subjective, but The Weeknd's "Blinding Lights" is Billboard's top song on their All-Time Hot 100 chart, while Elton John's "Candle in the Wind 1997" or Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars' "Die With A Smile" (depending on the chart) often lead global sales/streams, and George Gershwin's "Summertime" is the most recorded song ever. Different metrics (charts, sales, recordings) yield different answers, highlighting music's diverse popularity.