Respect “Copyright”! Do not copy, right?
If you’ve heard of Blackpink Lisa’s latest song, “Moonlit Floor,” you’d think you’ve heard of it before. Well, that’s because today, many musicians create new songs by building on existing ones through techniques like sampling, remixing, or covering. These methods allow artists to put a fresh spin on familiar music, encouraging both creativity and collaboration.
However, using parts of other songs isn’t just about being creative—there are also legal rules to follow to avoid copyright issues. One common method, called interpolation, lets artists reuse melodies or lyrics in new ways while staying within those rules.
WHAT IS INTERPOLATION?
In popular music, interpolation means re-creating a melody or part of a melody from an existing song, often with some changes to the lyrics or arrangement. Unlike sampling, where artists use a direct snippet from a recording, interpolation involves re-recording the part themselves. Musicians sometimes use interpolation to avoid legal issues, especially if getting permission to sample the original recording is denied or too expensive. This method allows artists to pay for the use of the underlying composition (the melody and lyrics) without needing the rights to the original recording.
Interpolation can be utilized to enhance a song’s familiarity and nostalgia, as well as to pay tribute to the original work. It is, however, problematic and may result in copyright violation. To employ interpolation lawfully, songwriters must first get authorization from the original copyright holders. This normally entails negotiating a license arrangement, which may include payments or royalties.
EXAMPLES
- The 1996 song “Lovefool” by The Cardigans has been interpolated in “Love Me” by teen pop star Justin Bieber in his teenage years. Bieber sings the chorus from “Lovefool” with the line, “Love me, love me, say that you love me.” While the first line is identical to The Cardigans’ hit song, the following lyrics deviate slightly, changing only a word or two.
- Halsey’s “Without Me” interpolated Justin Timberlake’s 2002 song, “Cry Me a River”. You’ll feel a rush of excitement when “Without Me” hits its powerful bridge. The music pulls back, and Halsey slips into a line from Justin Timberlake’s breakup hit: “You don’t have to say what you did / I already know…”
- “Uptown Funk” by Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars interpolated “All Gold Everything” by Trinidad James which both released 2 years apart. Bruno Mars took the phrase “Don’t believe me, just watch” from Trinidad James’ slow rap beat and transformed it into a lively anthem that invites everyone to dance and celebrate.
And those are our examples we found. If one day, you’ll become a songwriter, be careful with using interpolation. It can be a great way to pay tribute, but it also comes with legal risks. Always make sure you have permission to avoid any trouble down the road.
