Although he never got in trouble for over-borrowing from Mott the Hoople (see previous post), Rod Stewart got busted pretty quick in 1978 for using Brazilian singer-songwriter Jorge Ben’s “Taj Mahal” refrain for his “Da Ya Think I’m Sexy” (with the songwriting credited to Rod Stewart and Carmine Appice). Tempers cooled, though, when Stewart announced that all proceeds for his disco-era smash would ultimately go to UNICEF. In 1978 Stewart would get in trouble again when his “Forever Young” irritated Bob Dylan, whose own “Forever Young” was an obvious influence. So the two mammoths ended up splitting the royalties, which was no compensation for those of us who were irritated by the song in general.

Jorge Ben – “Taj Mahal” (1972 version)

Jorge Ben – “Taj Mahal” (1976 version)

Rod Stewart – “Da Ya Think I’m Sexy” (1978)

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