We’ve been living with Cyprus’ Eurovision 2015 selection for a couple of days now. Their choice, Giannis Karagiannis singing “One Thing I Should Have Done”, is certainly a grower rather than a shower. But as we’ve listened to it over and over, we’ve begun to develop a sense of deja vu. Of course, comparisons are drawn between Eurovision entries every year – Twin Twin v Stromae, Firelight v Gary Barlow, and let’s not get started on the whole Tanja v Cascada v Loreen debate.
However, this latest copycat claim harkens back to a more distant era. A time when Eastenders’ Ronnie Mitchell was plain old Samantha Janus, France actually challenged for the win, and Carola stormed to victory – 1991.
Back then American rock band Extreme dominated the world’s music charts with “More Than Words”. Our Icelandic blogger, Kristin was quick to spot the similarities between this and “One Thing I Should Have Done”. And she’s not the only one. A number of Tweeters have commented on them too.
Cyprus has chosen! Here’s the demo version of the winning song http://t.co/2xhiNut0Wt
— Andrew K (@aybekay) February 1, 2015
SONG 5 – George Ezra meets Extreme and Tom Dice. Giannis ticks many boxes, appealing to lots of people, a nice gentle number #EurovisionCY
— DeVogelsVanHolland (@DVVHolland) February 1, 2015
@Arianna483 @Esccanada Aha! That’s why I thought I heard it before. You’re so right, Arianna, but “More than Words” is much better IMO.
— ESC_Diva (@ESCViva) February 1, 2015
What do y’all think? Is “One Thing I Should Have Done” too similar to “More Than Words”? Or is it just a case of two songs from the same genre? Listen to both songs below, then let us know in the comments. You can also read the lyrics to “One Thing I Should Have Done” if you scroll past the videos.
Giannis Karagiannis “One Thing I Should Have Done”
Extreme “More Than Words”
Giannis Karagiannis “One Thing I Should Have Done” Lyrics
Tonight the rain is falling
I’m feeling cold
And I’m out of my mind
Without you
My head is spinning like a top
Back to the time we had alone
Going on
Now my world lies shattered
How quickly life can change
I always did everything for you
I gave you my heart
You gave me your’s too
You made me feel
I was really someone
There’s one thing I should have done
One day you think you have it all
The next you’re staring at the wall
In a dream
The road that once was paved with gold
Has turned a rusty shade
Of all the saddest colours in the world
Now my life’s in tatters
How quickly it all can change
I always did everything for you
I gave you my heart
You gave me your’s too
You made me feel
I was really someone
There’s one thing I should have done
I should have been there for you
I should have been there for you
I should have been there for you
I should have been there
I didn’t do everything for you
But I tried so hard
And that’s the truth
Ooh you were really someone
But there’s one thing I should have done
I nearly did everything for you
But I broke your heart
Now mine’s broken too
In your hour of need
I didn’t come
That’s the one thing I should have done
youtube.com/watch?v=Rz8uTdEzEDk it makes sense for Panagiotis to win the televoting
I think Cyprus wili be suprise of these ESC 2015 most thanks to juries . Composer wrote Cyprus song from 2004 Stronger every minute which was the Cyprus best result 5 place like 1982, 1997. But in 2004 we have 36 countries to vote in final not 25 like 1997 and only 18 in 1982.
Anyway not a song for Eurovision!
These two aren’t remotely similar… there are definitely songs from the 90s that you could think of which has a stronger similarity, as far as the chorus goes. Okay, so they both are driven by an acoustic guitar line, but that’s it. Extreme’s song has an entirely different melody, vocal style, chord structure, sense of dynamics…
No,just the same genre,that’s all.
For me these songs are quite different, but i think, that Cyprus with Switzerland and Belarus are the biggest outsiders at this moment. They have no chance to qualify for the final.
Never realised this until now. They do sound alike.
Denmark songs from 1986 is similar with Sweden 1985. Ireland song from 2003 is similar with Denmark 2000. Maybe we have Denmark song from 2015 is similar from song from same countries from 2010…..
It almost exactly the same however ‘More than words’ is 20 times better.
I couldn’t care less if this song is similar to “More Than Words” or if Denmark’s entry back in 2010 was a mix of “Every Breathe You Take” and “Simply The Best”. What I’d be upset and embarrassed is if any current entry from any country had the audacity to actually replicate any rubbish song that showed up in Eurovision between 2000 and 2008 to say the least … If you wanna replicate something, look for the great songs that stood the test of time outside the Eurovision umbrella … therefore, good for you Cyprus for not going the “opa… Read more »
That was the first thing I thought of when I heard the song actually…derivative but not a total rip off…if it were it would result in a better song lol
Every year, ESC has these cases. Even plain copy-paste songs went “unnoticed” (*cough* Denmark 2010 *cough*…even *cough* Denmark 2015 (if “Mi amore”) *cough*).
De-javu songs are not uncommon, which is pretty sad by itself, so welcome to the club Cyprus! NOT!
They are simillar, but not a copy 😛