5SOS are being sued for "ripping off" another song with 'Youngblood'

23 July 2019, 12:24

By Sam Prance

5 Seconds of Summer face a lawsuit for plagiarising 'White Shadows' by David Henderson.

5 Seconds of Summer are being sued over accusations that 'Youngblood' copies 'White Shadows' by David Henderson.

It's no secret that 5 Seconds of Summer are heavily involved in writing their own music. Ever since Luke, Michael, Callum and Ashton formed the band in 2011, they've co-written almost all of their signature hits. 'She Looks So Perfect'? A Michael and Ashton special. 'Don't Stop'? Callum and Luke snapped. 'Want You Back'? Ashton, Callum and Luke are behind that bop. As well as being amazing popstars, 5SOS are amazing songwriters.

However, the boys are currently facing a lawsuit which accuses them of plagiarising another song with 'Youngblood'.

Why is 5SOS is going to jail trending on social media?

Yesterday (Jul 22), The Music revealed that David Henderson, David Doth and Peter Ferencz are suing 5SOS over similarities between 'Youngblood' and a song they co-wrote in 2016 called 'White Shadows'. In a statement from their lawyer, Davidson Sheen, the three of them claim: "The substantial similarity between 'Youngblood' and 'White Shadows' is readily apparent, and is so striking that it could not be the result of mere coincidence."

They then continue: "The first melodic phrase of Youngblood is virtually identical to the melodic phrase from White Shadows, and the phrases are repeated four times in each respective song. It is clear that 5 Seconds Of Summer had access, means, and motive to appropriate the melodic phrase of White Shadows, and we firmly believe that any listener who hears both songs will notice the substantial similarities."

The statement goes on to say: "In short, 5 Seconds Of Summer misappropriated an earworm melody from Henderson, Toth, and Ferencz, claimed it was their own creation, and rode the riff to world-wide success; we believe this is jaw-droppingly obvious and, frankly, it shocks the conscience."

It ends stating that 5SOS have: "experienced worldwide acclaim by exploiting the work of three songwriters."

5 Seconds Of Summer - Youngblood (Official Video)

Henderson David - White Shadows [OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO]

Sheen also suggests that 5SOS copied 'White Shadows' because they were "pressed for time and facing the prospect of commercial irrelevancy". 'Youngblood' was co-written by Ashton, Callum, Luke and hit songwriters Ali Tamposi, Andrew Watt and Louis Bell. While there are similarities between the two songs, we doubt that they are intentional.

As it stands, 5SOS are yet to respond to the claims but the fandom have taken the news with good humour. Shortly after hearing the story, they got the tongue-in-cheek #5SOSisgoingtojailparty hashtag trending on Twitter.

We shall update you if 5SOS make any official announcements about the lawsuit or the memes.

What do you think? Do the two songs sound similar?