Edward Christopher Sheeran popularly known as Ed Sheeran took the stand for the first time this week to defend against allegations that he copied elements of Marvin Gaye’s 1973 hit “Let’s Get It On” when producing his own 2014 hit song, “Thinking Out Loud.”
Heirs of Gaye’s collaborator and “Let’s Get It On” co-writer Eric Townsend sued Sheeran in 2017, alleging copyright infringement over similarities in the two songs’s chord progressions.
“If I had done what you’re accusing me of doing, I’d be a quite an idiot to stand on a stage in front of 20,000 people and do that.” Ed Sheeran said.
Kathryn Townsend Griffin, Townsend’s daughter, and a plaintiff in the lawsuit, spoke at the trial and defended her claim though she said she had hoped it wouldn’t get to this point, according to the Associated Press. “But I have to protect my father’s legacy,” she said.
Ed- Sheeran in 2016, was accused of copying the song “Amazing” by Matt Cardle, the winner of “The X Factor” competition show, in his 2014 hit song “Photograph.” Sheeran settled the case out of court for an unspecified sum.
