X Factor comeback kid James Arthur could be hit with copyright lawsuit over chart-topping hit Say You Won’t Let Go
JAMES ARTHUR’s perfect comeback is about to experience its first big blow.
I can reveal that the singer is facing legal action from Irish band THE SCRIPT over his chart-topping single Say You Won’t Let Go, which has just bagged James his third consecutive week at No1.
The group are preparing to sue the former X Factor winner over similarities between his song and their 2008 hit, which reached No2, The Man Who Can’t Be Moved.
And they have already made the first move by hiring a music expert to commission a report into the resemblances between the two tracks.
If the right evidence is found then it will be taken to court, which would be a disaster for James, who has been working tirelessly to rebuild his career.
Yesterday a music insider said: “This is devastating for James.
“He has pulled off one of the most incredible music stories of the year by re-signing with SIMON COWELL and getting to No1 for three weeks in a row.
“Say You Won’t Let Go is already one of the biggest singles of the year so this is a real hammer blow.
“There is no doubt the songs sound alike and have a similar chord progression.
“It’ll be interesting to see what happens next.
“James has just got back on the straight and narrow after a difficult few years and a lawsuit is the last thing he needs.”
The Script’s Man Who Can’t Be Moved was written by frontman DANNY O’DONOGHUE and guitarist MARK SHEEHAN with Aussie songwriter Steve Kipner and Brit Andrew Frampton.
I’m told it is the publishing company behind the song, Imagem Music, which has launched the copyright investigation and is seriously considering legal action.
James and The Script are both signed to the same management company, James Grant, which could prove awkward if they do end up in court.
RELATED STORIES
Their tussle is just the latest copyright war to hit the music industry.
Last year MARVIN GAYE’s family won £5.5 million after suing ROBIN THICKE and PHARRELL WILLIAMS over the similarities between their hit Blurred Lines and the soul legend’s Got To Give It Up.
ED SHEERAN is also currently fighting two separate lawsuits over claims he copied others for his tracks Photograph and Thinking Out Loud.
It’s been a whirlwind month for James who has become the most successful British singles artist of 2016 off the back of his guitar ballad Say You Won’t Let Go.
Yesterday he trounced his nearest rival, dance duo THE CHAINSMOKERS, to stay at No1 thanks to an incredible 50,000 downloads and 5.61million listens of the song in just seven days.
His chart battle is won, but the legal battle is just beginning.
Cara: Oh no it's Stew two
BUMPING into your ex and their new partner is everyone’s worst nightmare – so pity poor CARA DELEVINGNE.
The model, who has looked thoroughly miserable since splitting up with ST VINCENT, ran in to the singer with her rumoured new squeeze KRISTEN STEWART, right, at a party in New York on Thursday.
Luckily Cara wasn’t alone at the bash – she was joined by TAYLOR SWIFT and Fifty Shades star DAKOTA JOHNSON.
St Vincent, aka ANNIE CLARK, has been staying in the same hotel as Kristen and joined the actress at last week’s NY premiere of Certain Women.
Chin up, Cara.
Just a pinta for me, guv
JUSTIN BIEBER will go down in folklore at the Essex pub he visited on Thursday.
Not simply because the music superstar chose to drink in the establishment, it was his actual order which would have stunned bar staff – a pint of milk.
The Canadian also tucked in to some salmon and mash at The Kings Oak hotel in Epping Forest, inset, a day after he randomly pitched up at a North London school to join a PE lesson.
After his pub grub, Justin later had dinner at Notting Hill restaurant Beach Blanket Babylon before going to the Electric Cinema to watch The Girl On The Train.
Not sure milk would go too well with popcorn.
Macho Glasto
2017 could be a year of all-male headliners at Glastonbury if the rumour mill is to be believed.
The internet was rife with comments last night that RADIOHEAD, DAFT PUNK and STONE ROSES have all signed to top the bill at the festival, from June 21 to 25.
Glasto organisers have faced criticism in the past for failing to represent female performers, although they have had ADELE and FLORENCE AND THE MACHINE headline the Pyramid Stage in recent years.
Tickets for next year sold out in under an hour last Sunday, despite the event still being eight months away.
At least it means punters have plenty of time to dig out their waterproofs and wellies.