Home : American Idol : Did David Cook Rip-Off "Eleanor Rigby"?

Did David Cook Rip-Off "Eleanor Rigby"?

Posted Mar 12th 2008 2:22PM by TMZ Staff

David Cook was on fire with his rendition of the Beatles classic "Eleanor Rigby" on "Idol" last night -- but a Seattle band claims he swiped the arrangement from them.


The band DOXOLOGY recorded their version of the track a year and a half ago, putting it up on iTunes and on the band's MySpace page. The band's manager tells TMZ the song is what they're best known for and have played it at nearly 200 shows.

Click to hear!The manager says the band has no intention of suing, but they're trying to get in touch with the show -- they want some props.

"Idol" tells TMZ the contestants pick their song and present their ideas for the arrangement to the show's musical department and work with them on it.

Welcome to Hollywood.



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61. So Ashlynn...he never once said this was his arrangement. He was responding to Ryan's comment about LAST WEEK being a break out week for him. In that case, he was referring to Lionel Richie's Hello that "just fell into his lap". Also, I am pretty sure their comments about talent had more to do w/ his singing and stage presence, not so much the arrangement. Last week, during "Hello", the actually complimented him on the arrangement. Not so much this week. Mostly, I think they were impressed w/ his ability to rock it.

This whole thing is stupid but kudos to these guys for taking the opportunity and getting their name out there.

Posted at 4:55PM on Mar 12th 2008 by Joe

62. um they do realize its a Beatles song originally, why get mad at David for singing it? hello, it wasnt your song to begin with, yeah they both have a rock sound but David does rock and theres a pretty good chance he was going to make the song his own and sing it with a rock sound....wah wah wah

Posted at 4:57PM on Mar 12th 2008 by Robin

63. oh jesus...ITS A COVER SONG!!! this band is now gonna say that american idol ripped off a song from them that THEY RIPPED OFF???? gimme abreak!!

Posted at 5:01PM on Mar 12th 2008 by todd

64. oh but I do like how the band is telling all their fans on their myspace to come over here and comment and say good things about them, how pathetic

Posted at 4:57PM on Mar 12th 2008 by Robin

65. the band GODHEAD does a way better version from either band, but doxology does a good cover of it.

Posted at 5:01PM on Mar 12th 2008 by todd

66. actually the God Head did an arrangement of Eleanor Rigby pretty close to this long before this Idol singer and the band claiming their arrangement was ripped off. So the band ripped off GodHead if anything.. Youtube Godhead Eleanor Rigby and see for yourselves,

Posted at 5:07PM on Mar 12th 2008 by Jack Butters

67. #50 STARVING MUSICIAN...jeepers, what got ur fiddle all tied in a knot??...chill and go play some music, this story is done with and they got tons of publicity out of it!!!...hope u can make ur wishes come true!!..stay strong.

Posted at 5:08PM on Mar 12th 2008 by huh??

68. GEEZE of COURSE they are going to sound similar, THEY ARE THE SAME SONG! Unless you completely change a song or tune, which neither did, it IS GOING TO SOUND THE SAME! Nimrods!

Posted at 5:12PM on Mar 12th 2008 by Ms_Tell_It_Like_It_Is

69. Hi Robin... are you a myspace friend of Doxology? Or are you just looking for a reason to comment? They are actually asking their FANS to come here and vote if they agree that the american idol guy ripped them off. They haven't asked ANYONE to come comment about them. Your assumption is what is "PATHETIC"

Posted at 5:13PM on Mar 12th 2008 by Kristina

70. I was only able to hear 34 seconds of either version so I am unable to make an accurate determination. Sorry Guys!

Posted at 5:20PM on Mar 12th 2008 by Dianne Huffman

71. UM didnt the Beatles first cover this song? So anyone who copied it is a "copier" and anyone who then copies that copy - who cares you are all imitators. Even Aretha had a more rock version of Elanor Rigby and I dont see her calling Idol.

Posted at 5:28PM on Mar 12th 2008 by Kim

72. Kristina, Can we vote if Doxology ripped off the Beatles?

Posted at 5:21PM on Mar 12th 2008 by Ha!

73. First off.... YES.. LET'S DO A POLE ABOUT THAT "HA!". Obviously you haven't caught on that we are debating THE ARRANGEMENT.. NOT THE LYRICS. Try to catch up....and Christina.. WONDERFULLY PUT!!

Posted at 5:29PM on Mar 12th 2008 by Kristina

74. it seems to me that most of the people commenting don't understand that there is a difference between an "arrangement" and the "original song". the Doxology version is different from the Beatles version (aka- arrangement). and if this dude on AI sang the same "version" as Doxology then he shouldn't claim it as his own (and not acknowledging that it's not his own is still claiming it to be his own). it shouldn't matter if Doxology isn't a mainstream band- if he ripped off (the once again popular) Sonic Youth's arrangement of "Superstar" everyone would be up in arms, why should this be any different?

Posted at 5:29PM on Mar 12th 2008 by Leona

75. What..they want credit for their arrangement of a cover? It's not that friggin hard to play the exact same chords the Beatles did but just put it in a rock tempo. So what I'm saying is that its not out of the realm of possibility that the Idol guy just had the same idea. You just covered it DOXOLOGY, don't try and put on the front that you have some creative process involved in making that song work in a rock tune. Eleanor Rigby is made for it.

Posted at 5:29PM on Mar 12th 2008 by J-Dogg

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