The Weeknd Got Stuck in a Legal Fumble: A Sticky Song‑Swap Saga
What’s the Scoop?
In a twist that could’ve been lifted straight from a drama series, Canadian superstar The Weeknd has hit a rough patch. Three British songwriters—William Smith, Brian Clover, and Scott McCulloch—have filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles, claiming the hit single “A Lonely Night” is basically a copy cat of their UK‑origin track, I Need To Love.
Who’s Involved?
- Defenders: The Weeknd, Universal Music Group, third‑party distributors.
- Accusers: William, Brian, and Scott.
- Court: a Los Angeles civil court.
Why the Accusation?
The claim is anchored in a side‑by‑side audio snippet that supposedly lines up fingerprints of the two songs. The British writers say that after pitching their composition back in the early‑2000’s, they were handed its rights by a Universal branch in 2008. Fast forward to 2016, the label allegedly told them that the track wasn’t going to be used, and the writers had to abandon any claim to the work. Then, a blink later—enter the release of Starboy—in which the controversial “A Lonely Night” sits proudly at its center.
What’s at Stake?
Details on the damages sought are hazy, but the lawsuit requests unspecified reparations. Who knows how many royalties and future publishing deals are on the line?
Told in a More Light‑Hearted Light
Picture the scene: the Weeknd, right at the heart of a glittering music climate, wades into a legal maze that looks a lot like the maze of an intersection begging for a round‑about. The song he performed so passionately turned into a legal e‑day in Times Square, with a “sting” that’s more Aussie than Ethiopian.
Bottom Line
For now, it’s a tale of alleged melody theft, rights mismanagement, and the risky side the music biz can take. Keep your ears ready for updates because whatever happens to “A Lonely Night” could rewrite the legal playbook for artists worldwide.
