Benson Boone Responds To Harry Styles Plagiarism Accusations

Felix Dubois

5 min read

Post on May 09, 2025

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Keywords: Benson Boone, Harry Styles, plagiarism, songwriting, music, copyright, comparison, "In the Stars," "As It Was," music industry, controversy

The recent release of Benson Boone's hit single, "In the Stars," has ignited a fervent debate amongst music fans. Accusations of plagiarism, specifically mirroring Harry Styles' chart-topping "As It Was," have flooded social media. This article dives deep into Benson Boone's response to these allegations, exploring the nuances of this compelling musical controversy and examining the legal implications involved.

The Allegations: Comparing "In the Stars" and "As It Was"

Melodic Similarities:

Fans have pointed to several striking similarities between "In the Stars" and "As It Was," fueling the plagiarism debate. These alleged similarities primarily center on:

• Similar Chord Progressions: Both songs reportedly utilize similar chord progressions, creating a sense of familiarity between the two tracks. Specific analyses comparing the underlying harmonic structures would be needed for a definitive conclusion.
• Rhythmic Similarities: The rhythmic patterns in the verses and choruses have been noted as strikingly similar, leading to accusations of direct copying. Further musicological analysis is needed to confirm if the similarities are coincidental.
• Similar Vocal Melodies: Some listeners claim that the vocal melodies, particularly in the choruses, share a striking resemblance. A side-by-side comparison would help determine the extent of the overlap.

(Ideally, this section would include embedded audio or video clips comparing the two songs. Expert opinions from music theorists or professionals would add further weight to the analysis.)

Structural Comparisons:

Beyond melodic similarities, the overall structure of both songs has been a point of contention.

• Verse-Chorus Structure: Both songs follow a standard verse-chorus structure. While this is a common songwriting template, the sequence and the feel of the verses and choruses could be compared for similarities.
• Bridge Sections: The presence and nature of bridge sections in both songs are also relevant points of comparison. Are they similarly placed and are their melodic or rhythmic characteristics similar?
• Dynamic shifts: Do both songs use similar dynamic shifts in their structure, intensifying during choruses and becoming more mellow in verses? This analysis requires close listening to uncover subtle similarities or differences.

Whether these structural similarities point towards intentional copying or mere coincidence remains a crucial question in the ongoing debate.

Benson Boone's Official Response

Boone's Statement (Direct Quotes):

(This section would ideally include direct quotes from any official statement released by Benson Boone or his representatives regarding the plagiarism allegations. The absence of a statement would be noted here.) Analyzing the tone and wording of any statement is crucial. A defensive response may exacerbate the situation, while a conciliatory approach might diffuse the controversy.

Social Media Engagement:

Benson Boone's social media activity concerning the controversy provides valuable insights.

• Direct Mentions: Has he directly addressed the accusations on platforms like Twitter, Instagram, or TikTok?
• Fan Interactions: How has he interacted with fans who raised concerns or voiced their opinions? Ignoring the issue might fuel further speculation.
• Team Responses: Has his management team issued any official statements or responded to media inquiries?

The overall approach to social media engagement could significantly shape public perception and the controversy's narrative.

Legal Implications and Copyright Law

Understanding Copyright Infringement:

Copyright law protects original musical works, including melodies, lyrics, and arrangements.

• Substantial Similarity: Copyright infringement in music typically hinges on demonstrating "substantial similarity" between the allegedly infringing work and the copyrighted work. This means more than just minor similarities; a significant portion of the protected work needs to be copied.
• Burden of Proof: The burden of proof lies with the copyright holder (in this case, Harry Styles or his publishers) to demonstrate that copyright infringement occurred.

Potential Legal Outcomes:

The plagiarism accusations could lead to several potential legal outcomes:

• Lawsuit: Harry Styles or his representatives might file a lawsuit against Benson Boone for copyright infringement.
• Settlement: The parties could reach an out-of-court settlement, perhaps involving financial compensation or songwriting credits.
• Impact on Future Releases: The outcome of any legal action could impact Benson Boone's future music releases and his career trajectory.

The Broader Discussion: Coincidence or Plagiarism?

Unintentional Similarities in Music:

It's crucial to acknowledge that unintentional similarities in music can occur. Shared musical tropes, common chord progressions, and similar rhythmic patterns often appear in different works without implying plagiarism. Music theory itself is limited and therefore, many similar compositional choices may happen coincidentally.

The Role of Inspiration vs. Copying:

The line between drawing inspiration from other artists and outright plagiarism is often blurry. While artists are influenced by their musical heroes, directly copying substantial portions of a song constitutes copyright infringement.

Conclusion:

The Benson Boone and Harry Styles controversy highlights the complexities of musical copyright and the challenges of defining the boundaries between inspiration and plagiarism. Benson Boone's response (or lack thereof), the perceived melodic and structural similarities between "In the Stars" and "As It Was," and the potential legal ramifications all contribute to a multifaceted debate. The absence of a clear statement from Boone, his management, or his label adds fuel to the controversy, highlighting the necessity of clear communication in such scenarios.

Let us know your perspective on the Benson Boone plagiarism accusations in the comments below! What are your thoughts on the similarities between the songs? Share your views in the comments!