French singer Amanda Lear has accused Miley Cyrus of copying her 1978 hit ‘The Sphinx’, after spotting similarities between the song and Cyrus’ new track ‘Redlights’.
Lear, a model-turned-singer and former muse to surrealist painter Salvador Dali, called out Cyrus on social media on Sunday.
“Thank you, Miley, for copying my song ‘The Sphinx’! I’m flattered!” Lear wrote. She also added the hashtags “ripoff” and “copycat”.
Cyrus, 33, released her 10th album ‘Bass Persuades’ last Friday. The 10-track dance-pop album includes ‘Redlights’, a slower song with a gravelly vocal style.
Lear’s 1978 track ‘The Sphinx’ also features a slower sound and gravelly vocals. The similarities between both songs prompted the French singer to raise the issue publicly.
Lear later said she did not threaten Cyrus with legal action over the alleged plagiarism.
“I’ve never been litigious, but my record label, Universal, and the publishers of the track, for which I wrote the lyrics, want acknowledgement of the plagiarism,” Amanda Lear told AFP on Monday.
“I simply pointed out the situation by thanking Miley Cyrus and adding that I was flattered. I never threatened a lawsuit or retaliation.”
Lear said Universal and the song’s publishers want acknowledgement of the alleged plagiarism.
The singer rose to fame as a model before pursuing a music career. She also became known for her links to several major figures in the arts and music.
Lear was a muse to surrealist painter Salvador Dali and dated Rolling Stones guitarist Brian Jones.
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