Robbie Williams has weighed in on the recent controversy surrounding Olivia Rodrigo‘s new Christmas song, which has drawn comparisons to his 2012 hit “Candy.” While some listeners have questioned the similarities between the two tracks, particularly the outro, the British singer doesn’t appear interested in turning the situation into a legal battle. In fact, he has come to Rodrigo’s defense, although he does have one request for the pop star.
Robbie Williams ‘Couldn’t Care Less’ About Olivia Rodrigo Song Comparisons
On November 5, Olivia Rodrigo released her first holiday single, “Take Me Home (4 Christmas),” and while the song’s debut was largely successful, some pointed out that it had similarities to Robbie Williams’ 2012 song “Candy.”
Since the 2021 songwriting controversies involving Paramore and Taylor Swift, which resulted in Rodrigo retroactively adding the artists to her songwriting credits over similarities between their work, listeners have been quick to point out resemblances between her songs and those of other artists.
Williams doesn’t seem to mind, though, and even praised the 23-year-old in a lengthy Instagram post. He noted that he, too, has been approached by other artists due to his songs sounding “like something somebody else released.”
The former member of British boy band Take That wrote, “There are only so many notes. Only so many chords. Only so many ways of putting them together before you inevitably find yourself somewhere somebody else has been.” As for the comparison with Rodrigo’s song, he said, “I couldn’t care less.”
The Singer Said The Similarities May Have Been Accidental
“I love Olivia Rodrigo. I’ve loved her since Brutal. What a f-cking record. I wish I’d made it,” Williams noted, adding that he believes the similarities between “Candy” and “Take Me Home (4 Christmas)” were purely accidental.
He further noted that he isn’t aware if there could potentially be a “publishing issue, a copyright issue, or no issue whatsoever,” and he is not interested in finding out, confirming that he is “not going after her.”
Williams emphasized that artists deserve protection from “genuine theft,” but argued that there’s a difference between safeguarding one’s work and treating “every vaguely familiar sequence of notes as a winning lottery ticket.”
Robbie Williams Warns Against Stifling Creativity
Over the years, numerous disputes over similarities between songs have made their way to court. Williams acknowledged that some copyright claims may be justified, but believes pursuing legal action isn’t always the best response, especially when similarities are unintentional.
“If we keep punishing people for accidentally arriving somewhere somebody else has already been, eventually we’re going to frighten the creativity out of everyone,” the singer wrote.
- An Olivia Rodrigo clip went viral after the singer appeared to tame her hair with armpit sweat.
- She spoke out against the Cornell 7 and demanded accountability over the alleged assault.
- The singer chose this actress to play her in a biopic.
- Olivia Rodrigo revived the spirit of Lilith Fair with an all-female music festival.
- She made headlines after speaking out against ICE.
The Singer Has Only One Playful Request To Olivia Rodrigo
Amid his praise for the “drivers license” singer, Williams acknowledged Rodrigo’s swearing, noting he couldn’t believe how much she does it onstage. “And that’s coming from me. I’m a Sweary Mary, but she’s making me look like a Victorian schoolmistress,” he wrote.
Toward the end of his reaction post, Williams addressed Rodrigo, saying that if she’s reading his statement, he wants her to know she’s “f-cking brilliant.” Moreover, he has only one request: “Please stop swearing so much. It makes me feel like I have to keep up,” he jokingly wrote, adding that he already uses enough swear words as it is.
Olivia Rodrigo’s Song Was Compared To A 1981 Holiday Track
Apart from Williams’ “Candy,” some listeners also highlighted the similarities between Rodrigo’s song and The Waitress’ 1981 song “Christmas Wrapping.” However, the latter was an intentional reference on Rodrigo’s part.
Chris Butler, the founder and primary songwriter of the new wave band The Waitress, shared a Facebook post detailing how Rodrigo personally reached out to him and asked him to listen to her song. Initially, Butler thought the email was a hoax, but he researched Rodrigo and figured it wouldn’t hurt to reply.
Butler praised the singer, highlighting her achievements and songwriting. He also revealed that they had the chance to meet in person. Following the release of Rodrigo’s holiday song, he promoted it on his page, writing that it had the “same upbeat vibe” as “Christmas Wrapping.”
“I’m a fan, and I wish her monster success with it. Thanks, Olivia, for the chance to connect,” Butler concluded.
