Britney Spears can’t do anything without causing a stir. It’s been all of a day since her new single, “Hold It Against Me,” was released and she’s already broken all kinds of radio records.
According to Mediabase’s research, “Hold It Against Me” was played 619 during a partial day’s worth of airtime, while Nielsen’s BDS has the track at 595 first or one-day spins.
While Britney’s label, Jive, is tooting the song’s horn, not everyone is as thrilled by the single – The Bellamy Brothers are crying foul because the lyrics are a little bit too close to their own lyrics.
“Back in 1979, I wrote a little song called ‘If I Said You Had A Beautiful Body, Would You Hold It Against Me,’” David Bellamy said in a press release. “That little song went #1 and has since become one of the defining songs of our career. If you listen to the lyrics of Britney Spears’ new single, ‘Hold It Against Me,’ you’ll find some major similarities.”
What tipped the Bellamy Brothers off, was the fact that the YouTube hits for their video “If I Said You Had A Beautiful Body, Would You Hold It Against Me” shot up 270,000 views right after Britney’s song was released.
“Howard and I have no personal beef with Britney. She’s a talented gal. But professionally, well, in all honesty, we feel completely ripped off. Where’s the originality?” David said.
His brother, Howard, had some fighting words, though: “Hey Brit…If I said you ripped off our song, would you hold it against me? Thanks,” he said.
Do the Bellamy Brothers have a leg to stand on? You decide.
