Radiohead Sues Lana Del Rey

Lana Del Rey confirmed on Twitter what had been rumored until then: Radiohead is suing the singer for copyright infringement.  

John Davisson – Lana Del Rey
Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival, Empire Polo Field, Indio, Calif.

Radiohead claims “Get Free,” the closing track on Lana Del Rey’s current album Lust For Life, copies the band’s breakthrough single “Creep,” which was released in 1992 on Radiohead’s debut album Pablo Honey.

“It’s true about the lawsuit,” tweeted Del Rey, adding: “Although I know my song wasn’t inspired by Creep, Radiohead feel it was and want 100 percent of the publishing – I offered up to 40 over the last few months but they will only accept 100. Their lawyers have been relentless, so we will deal with it in court.”

Radiohead has been sued over “Creep” itself – by Mike Hazelwood and Albert Hammond, writers of the Hollies’ song “The Air That I Breathe,” which shares the same melody and a chord progression.

The band credited both songwriters as co-writers of “Creep,” and the case was reportedly settled outside of court. Radiohead is currently getting ready for a South American festival tour, which kicks off April 11 in Santiago, Chile.

The tour coincides with the 2018 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductions on April 14.

Radiohead was nominated but not chosen in the end. Its lackluster attitude toward the ceremony may have influenced the committee. Guitarist Ed O’Brien told Esquire in November: “It’s in our DNA to be a little ambivalent with award ceremonies. We haven’t had great experiences. I would never want to disrespect anything because obviously some amazing artists have been nominated. But if I’m honest I don’t understand it.” 

John Davisson – Thom Yorke of Radiohead
Thom Yorke and Radiohead kept its poise through sound problems during its headline set at Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival at Empire Polo Club in Indio, Calif., April 14.

Lana Del Rey has just embarked on her 24-date North American tour, which kicked off Jan. 5 at Target Center in Minneapolis, and ends Feb. 28 at the Waikiki Shell in Hawaii.

She’ll then be visiting South America herself, playing Lollapalooza editions in Argentina (March 17), Chile (March 18) and Brazil (March 25), as well as Festival Estereo Picnic in Colombia (March 23), before heading to Australia.