Singer and songwriter Pharrell Williams claims he didn't channel Marvin Gaye or plagiarize the late singer's style or music in crafting the mega hit single "Blurred Lines," which essentially put singer Robin Thicke on the music scene map for over a year.
He does, however, admit to "channeling" the soul singer but told a jury Wednesday he did not steal or copy Gaye's "Got to Give It Up" in writing the song that resulted in a $16 million jackpot.
Williams, along with Thicke and rapper TI (legal name Clifford Harris, Jr.) are playing starring roles in a courtroom battle initiated by Gaye's family, which claims the three muscians plagiarized the 1977 song in writing the 2013 "Blurred Lines" hit.
"Sometimes when you look back on your past work, you see echoes of people," Williams told jurors in a Los Angeles courtroom. "But that doesn't mean that's what you were doing."
He said he has tremendous respect, love and admiration for Gaye and his music.
"The last thing you want to do as a creator is take something of someone else's when you love him."
Williams, most noted for his recent "Happy" song hit, listened along with the jury and courtroom spectators to a music comparison of "Blurred Lines" and Gaye's earlier song. He did admit, regarding the song's bass use, "it sounds like you're playing the same thing," but stated the music illustrates shifts in pitch.
Following that statement, Thicke reportedly left the courtroom. Earlier testimony revealed Williams is viewed as the main songwriter of "Blurred Lines."
In terms of influences in crafting the song, Williams cited Miley Cyrus and Earl Sweatshirt recordings. He testified that while writing "Blurred Lines" he was also busy at work with two other songs and said Cyrus was more the inspiration for "Blurred Lines."
"I was doing a bunch of country-sounding music with Miley," he said. "It was like blending this country sound with this this up-tempo groove."
The Gaye family is seeking damages from not only song sales but also tour dates, estimating they're owed a total of $40 million.
"This is the last place I want to be," Williams told the jury.
Rapper TI is expected to take the witness stand Thursday.
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