Kelly Clarkson, who just released the music video for her new single Already Gone, is spitting mad that folks think that she ripped off the music of her newest single from Beyoncé‘s hit single Halo … particularly because she is among the folks who can hear the striking similarity. In a new interview with CBC Radio, Kelly fumes about the fact that co-writer Ryan Tedder (from the band One Republic who penned Already Gone AND Halo) appears to have sold both ladies the same song with different lyrics … and she is pissed!
If you’ve noticed similarities between Kelly Clarkson’s new single “Already Gone” and Beyoncé’s hit “Halo,” well, you’re not the only one. Turns out Clarkson has also noticed, and she’s not too happy about it. In an interview with Canada’s CBC radio network, the former “American Idol” champ said she was unaware of any similarities between her song and Beyoncé’s “Halo” until she heard the two songs side by side (according to Clarkson, her All I Ever Wanted album was finished before Beyoncé’s I Am … Sasha Fierce was released). And she’s not mincing words about who she blames for the similarities: OneRepublic frontman Ryan Tedder, who co-wrote both songs. “Ryan and I met each other at the record label, before he was working with anyone else. He’s from Oklahoma, I’m from Texas; we got along really well and had some of the same influences,” Clarkson said. “We wrote about six songs together, four or five of them made the album. It was all fine and dandy. I’d never heard of a song called ‘Halo’ … [Beyoncé's] album came out when my album was already being printed. “No one’s gonna be sittin’ at home, thinkin’ ‘Man, Ryan Tedder gave Beyoncé and Kelly the same track to write to,’ ” she continued. “No, they’re just gonna be sayin’ I ripped someone off. I called Ryan and said, ‘I don’t understand. Why would you do that?’ ” “Gone” and “Halo” do share some striking similarities, most notably in the backing track, which features somber piano, crashing drums and hand-claps. Clarkson — who clashed with her label in the past — said that she’s upset that “Already Gone” was released as a single without her blessing, but that, at this point, there’s really nothing to do about the situation. “It sucks, but it’s one of those things I have no control over,” she told the CBC. “I already made my album. At this point, the record company can do whatever they want with it. It’s kind of a shitty situation, but … you know, you learn.” At press time, a spokesperson for Tedder had not responded to MTV News’ request for comment on the situation.
To be honest, I didn’t immediately notice the similarity between the songs when I heard them both separately … at different times. But since the release of Kelly‘s new single, I thought it sounded very familiar … and then the handclaps cued me in to the Halo recognition. Shoot, if I were her … I’d be pissed, too … especially since despite the fact that Kelly‘s album was finished first, Halo was released months ago well ahead of the release of Already Gone. Methinks Mr. Ryan Tedder has got some ‘splainin’ to do. After the jump, check out the music videos for both Kelly Clarkson‘s Already Gone and Beyoncé‘s Halo for a side-by-side comparison …
What do YOU think? Are they the same song? Try and play them at the same time … they almost match up perfectly. HMMM … should Kelly and Beyoncé both kick Ryan Tedder‘s ass? I’m thinkin’ … yes.
[Source]
Poor Kelly… I’d be mighty mighty pissed if I were here. And no Mela, It don’t think she thinks so little of her fans, but is probably mortified, and speaking with her heart on her sleeve.
No way those 2 songs don’t sound the same to me at all. Whilst I lovelovelove Kelly Clarkson’s ‘Already Gone’, I think Beyonce’s ‘Halo’ is one of the most irritating songs ever made.
Same song/same song writer. As for Beyonce hearing Already Gone and demanding that Tedder write something similar then rushing to be the “first” to release it, sounds pretty much like something she’d do. For the record I like Already Gone just a little better (the arrangement I guess)
omg i totally remember hearing kelly’s single on the radio and totally thinking it was halo until she started singing…it’s way too similar for it to be an accident…its pretty much the same foundation, just with slightly tweaked melodies on top. i like both songs though :)
actually, if their songs didn’t have totally opposite messages, having them do a duet with these songs would be pretty awesome.
I feel bad for everyone involved. Hopefully Teddy learns from this. I do have to say, though, that when you work in a land of beats and chords, sometimes you get inspiration and you don’t know where it came from. Sometimes it is heavily inspired by something you already heard or wrote…but you don’t remember.
I LOVE Kelly’s cd…but I gotta admit, I skip over the ballads. Her up tempo songs are so fun!
the intro sounds very similar. the first time i heard kelly’s new single, i thought it was just me that heard the similarities but looks like i wasnt the only one :)
How can you say Halo doesn’t come from the heart? That song makes my eyes well up with tears!
Too many similarities to be a coincidence. When I first heard Kelly’s song on the radio, I thought it was Halo until the lyrics kicked in. I prefer Kelly’s song over Beyonce’s.
I feel bad for Kelly. She looks bad just because her album was released a few months later. I like Kelly’s version, but I don’t think it’s going to be as big as Halo (just because of the release date).
Is it weird that I like both songs better when they’re played together?
I would be pissed to…thinking you have a great song and someone else has one similar. Its like going somewherre and wearing the same print but different style shirt. I love both tho!!
This is disgusting. It’s absolutely the same chord progressions, and, with an exception of different lyrics, and varied embellishments by the artists, the same melody. Obviously it’s not Beyonce’s or Kelly’s fault….it’s this little crook’s lack of creativity and desire for money. What a snake. I think Beyonce and Kelly should team up, sue for the rights, RE-write the song as a duet and go for an award! They’re both too talented for this crap.
@gokarm — You’re mentally incapacitated if you think Ryan Tedder is “a talentless hack.” That man has more talent in his pinky finger than most “artists” could only dream of having.
@Whitney, I want to know where you read/heard that Ryan said “Halo” was his best work to date? He has said in MULTIPLE interviews that 2 songs he wrote for Kelly Clarkson’s recent album are his best to date. I’ll admit that this whole deal seems shady, but we don’t know what really happened. All we know is that Kelly Clarkson is upset that 2 different songs written & produced by the same person sound similiar. I spy an asshole, and it isn’t Ryan Tedder………
I pre-ordered Kelly’s CD, so as soon it came out, I listened to it through. When “Already Gone” first came on, I was like “WTF?!”–because I had been listening to “I Am… Sasha Fierce” a bunch (It had come out not long before.). I still get thrown off when I hear them; never sure which one it’s gonna be. Kelly is my favorite singer, but I love Beyonce too (Just saw her in Auburn Hills! And I’m about to see Kelly in less than a month!). I just wish them both success… as long as neither of them comes out looking like a bad guy, I’m okay. It’s just a sharty situation.
Beyonce, who i don’t really admire in anyway. She is talented & all, but i can see through her. Some songs are great & catchy, but otherwise the usual stuff to expect to Beyonce. She & her father are just one of those, get ya name on this song & producing credit – you’ll get extra dough.
—
Halo was written by Tedder. He offered it to Leona lewis or had her in mind. It’s not as if he went into the studio with Beyonce and they came out creating Halo. Once Beyonce got offered it, OF CORSE she changed a few words to get credit.
—
IMO i believe Kelly’s is better. Halo will do better than Already Gone cause of Pop & Urban markets. But Already Gone, the vocals are just out of this world. I think it is more of those, gives you goosebumps kinda song. BUT Halo is good, i just like the slow rhythm beat.
—
Tedder i think is thriving off the success of Bleeding Love. I mean he did produce it but co-wrote with Jessy McCartney of all people. I dont know if Jesse co-produced or not. But since that song, a lot of other songs are too similar to that. I mean Battlefield is an awesome song. Better than Halo – but it has such similarity to the drums in bleeding love. He seems to have hit a creative block and is just taking elements from all his songs. He may profess in that field of genre but still, do something different! Especially when it comes to this, more embarassng for the producer than the artist. Kelly has nothing to worry bout cause she has the voice, the attitude and its KELLY!
—
Beyonce will prob speak of it somehow. She can’t keep her mouth shut sometimes… I mean, she even had the guts to say her family were a more upper class version of the Jacksons. I mean, its only HER in the family that is successful. Her sister just thrills off defending shit ppl say bout Beyonce and talking bout her but then having a bitch that ppl always mention Beyonce around her. B – open wide, you will NEVER have the career of ANY Jackson. Janet & Michael are mountains ahead of you girl.
Whether the songs are alike or not, Kelly’s version is way better. I’ve always hated the song “Halo,” but “Already Gone” is amazing. Besides the fact Kelly has a much better voice. There is really no comparison here.
Beyonce for the win, such the better song, anytime I hear Kelly Clarkson it’s like water-going-down-the-bathtub-drain-long, unwavering vocals with some tacky beat, I used to like her back when, but I haven’t heard a good single yet from her. I mean and compare her to Beyonce, you’re asking to lose. :)
Those are so similar, how can anyone disagree?
and I am the only person I know that has noticed the similarities between Rehab by Rihanna and What Goes Around by Justin Timberlake (both written by jt)…they are the same song! Sing the lyrics to one to the melody of the other and it fits perfectly. Maybe its just me :)
Ouch! So similar!