Why John Lennon Once Accused Rod Stewart of Ripping Off The Beatles

Black and white close-up of John Lennon wearing round glasses, looking intensely at the camera with a serious expression.

via Beatles Bible / YouTube

Accusations of musical plagiarism are not uncommon in the world of rock and pop. With so many artists borrowing inspiration from one another, it becomes difficult to draw a firm line between influence and imitation. In some cases, even iconic figures like Rod Stewart have been at the center of such discussions.

Rod Stewart, despite his success and originality, has faced scrutiny over certain tracks that closely resemble existing songs. His hit singles โ€œDo You Think Iโ€™m Sexyโ€ and โ€œForever Youngโ€ are two examples that stirred legal and creative controversy. Stewart himself admitted to โ€œunconscious plagiarismโ€ in his memoir, further highlighting how blurred the lines can be.

But among the more curious accusations came from none other than John Lennon. The former Beatle once suggested that Stewartโ€™s 1976 single โ€œThe Killing of Georgieโ€ bore striking resemblance to The Beatlesโ€™ โ€œDonโ€™t Let Me Down.โ€ It wasnโ€™t a lawsuit or a formal complaintโ€”but a public jab from one legend to another.

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Classic Rock In Pics (@crockpics)

Lennonโ€™s Last Interview and His Candid Take

In 1980, during what would become one of his final in-depth interviews, John Lennon sat down with journalist David Sheff for All We Are Saying. The conversation covered much of his life and music, with Lennon offering reflective commentary on his Beatles catalog. One moment, however, stood out for its sharpness.

While discussing โ€œDonโ€™t Let Me Down,โ€ Lennon made an offhand remark about Rod Stewart. โ€œBy the way, Rod Stewart turned that into โ€˜[Georgie] donโ€™t go-o-o,โ€™โ€ he noted, pointing out the melodic similarity between the two songs. He questioned why Stewart didnโ€™t just cover the original instead of reworking itโ€”implying the motive was financial.

Though Lennon didnโ€™t pursue the issue beyond this interview, the comment was a clear indication that he felt Stewart had crossed a line. For Lennon, originality wasnโ€™t just about soundโ€”it was about integrity. His statement came off more as a criticism of the music industryโ€™s practice than a personal feud.

Rod Stewartโ€™s Track Record with โ€œBorrowingโ€

This wasnโ€™t the first time Rod Stewart faced questions about the originality of his work. Earlier, Brazilian musician Jorge Ben Jor sued him for similarities between โ€œDo You Think Iโ€™m Sexyโ€ and his own song โ€œTaj Mahal.โ€ Stewart eventually acknowledged the likeness and settled the matter by attributing it to unconscious imitation.

Likewise, his track โ€œForever Youngโ€ drew immediate comparisons to Bob Dylanโ€™s 1974 song of the same name. Rather than deny the connection, Stewart agreed to share royalties and officially credited Dylan. It was a rare example of how artists can resolve such overlaps amicably, without escalating tensions.

So when Stewart was asked in 2016 about the similarity between โ€œThe Killing of Georgieโ€ and โ€œDonโ€™t Let Me Down,โ€ his response was casual: โ€œIt does sound like itโ€ฆ Nothing wrong with a good steal!โ€ That remark may have been flippant, but it added fuel to Lennonโ€™s decades-old commentโ€”suggesting Stewart was well aware of the resemblance all along.

 

When Influence Becomes Interpretation

While some see these moments as clear-cut cases of plagiarism, others view them as examples of how music evolves by building on what came before. In truth, the boundaries between homage, influence, and imitation are often difficult to define. Even legends sometimes echo one another without intending harm.

In Stewartโ€™s case, his career remains largely unmarred by these accusations. Fans continue to embrace his music, including the controversial tracks, as part of his unique legacy. The occasional overlap with other artists, intentional or not, hasnโ€™t slowed his momentum or diminished his impact.

As for Lennon, his comment lives on as a reminder of how protective some artists are over their creations. It wasnโ€™t about rivalry, but rather respectโ€”for originality, for the craft, and for the value of a single, unforgettable melody. In the end, maybe it was just one artist calling out another for getting a little too close to something sacred.

YouTube video
YouTube video