Stolen glances Pt 5: the final verdict

125 album covers deep and the music industry’s most open secret turns out to have no bottom

Five instalments, 125 exhibits and the uncomfortable truth that emerges from the complete body of evidence is not that some artists copied others — it is that the practise was so widespread, so routine and so cross-generational that calling it an epidemic would be to understate it. It was the water. Everyone was swimming in it.

This final gallery brings no comfort to those who might have hoped the biggest names would be spared. Roger Waters. Beyoncé. Cyndi Lauper. Phil Collins. Peter Gabriel. Artists, for the most part, of genuine, canonical greatness. Artists whose own work has been celebrated, studied and yes, copied. The wheel, it turns out, goes all the way round.

The prosecution hereby rests. The evidence speaks for itself. It always did.

Me by Sandie Shaw [1965]. The Marble Index by Nico [1968]. Bible Belt by Diane Birch [2009]

ADHD by Joyner Lucas [2020]. i/o by Peter Gabriel [2023].

I Haven’t Got Anything Better To Do by Astrud Gilberto [1965]. Inrequited by Loudon Wainwright III [1975].

Come On Over by Olivia Newton-John [1976]. Early Takes Vol 1 by George Harrison [2012]. I’m Alive by Jackson Browne [1993]

Drunk by Thundercat [February 2017]. Double Roses by Karen Elson [April 2017]. Rise by Katy Perry [2026].

Sorcerer by Miles Davis [1967]. Well Kept Secret by Juice Newton [1978].

Heroes by Jimi Hendrix [1972]. Face Value by Phil Collins [1981]. Tutu by Miles Davis [1986].

All World by LL Cool J [1996]. So Far by Sinead O’Connor [1997]. 25 by Adele [2015].

Cats soundtrack [1981]. Hold You Down by X Ambassadors [2019].

Sky Blue by Devin Townsend Project [2015]. Infinite by Deep Purple [2017].

Patti Austin by Patti Austin [1976]. California Soul by Tamba 4 [2019].

On The Beach by Neil Young [1974]. Crisis! What Crisis! by Supertramp [1975].

Made In The Shade by The Rolling Stones [1975]. Apocalypse And Chill by Delain [2020].

Pop Arp by Music de Wolfe [1974]. Tarantula by Ride [1996].

Scott 3 by Scott Walker [1969]. The Dark Side Of The Moon Redux by Roger Waters [2023].

Hawks & Doves by Neil Young [1980]. Automatic by The Jesus And Mary Chain [1989].

№4 by Stone Temple Pilots [1999]. Blackstar by David Bowie [2016].

This Charming Man [single] by The Smiths [1983]. True Colors by Cyndi Lauper [1986].

Anna by Anna Waronker [2002]. I Am … Sasha Fierce by Beyonce [2008].

Short Sharp Shock by Chaos UK [1984]. Short Sharp Shocked by Michelle Shocked [1988].

Undercurrent by Bill Evans & Jim Hall [1962]. This Ascension by Tears In Rain [1989].

Destroyer by Alana Yorke [2014]. Night Thoughts by Suede [2016].

Meddle by Pink Floyd [1971]. Love’s Easy Tears by Cocteau Twins [1986].

Up In It by Afghan Whigs [1990]. Amazing Grace by Spiritualized [2003].

0898 by Beautiful South [1993]. Walls by Kings Of Leon [2016].

Related reading

Stolen glances Part 1

Stolen glances Part 2

Stolen glances Part 3

Stolen glances Part 4