The Kinks "Picture Book" and Green Day's "Warning"

I was listening last night to The Kinks "Village Green Preservation Society" and remembering how much I liked "Picture Book". It then occurred to me that "Warning" by Green Day seems just a bit similar....? (knowing me, this has been discussed by everyone earlier and I missed it)



Green Day - Warning [Official Music Video] »

 

Yep. Noticed this the very first time I heard Warning. Straight rip off.

 

Total rip off..see also Cheap trick's On the Radio...Same Riff.

 

The Green Day song's verses sound similar but lack the extra "4th up" change that makes the chord cycle in the Kinks song so satisfying - otherwise, they are not so similar.

 

In addition to the riff being similar, did you all notice how even the "sonic treatment" is similar? (acoustic guitar-based riff). So riff, sound, and even tempo.

 

No doubt - very similar results in sound/arrangement of the basic track. Could be completely coincidental though.

 

Green Day has a long tradition of ripping off other tunes. Check out "Brain Stew" vs. "25 or 6 To 4".

There is nothing original about Green Day. Even Billie's lame Joe Strummer impression is lifted.

 

I remember being at Shoreline Ampitheater for The Bridge School Benefit back in 1998 or 1999. And Green Day was on the bill. I wasn't a fan of the band, but they "previewed" a new song - "Warning". And at the time, I thought "Hey...this is catchy and cool. I like it."

Now I know why! It only took me another 17-18 years to make the connection. >: )

 

I actually always thought that the power chords on "Basket Case" came right out of the Rick Springfield song book.

 

Same...the first time I heard the Greenday song when it came out, I started telling everyone I knew how it was a direct lift of "Picture Book"

Oh my God that's so true!!!!

 

I don't know - same chord sequence but not the most original one in the first place, as with the Kinks example (in that case, perhaps the most common chord changes in western music). Am I being too generous?

 

Perhaps just the old time-honoured "homage" to some great bands of Rock:
The Kinks!
Cheap Trick!
Rick Springfield?!?

 

Which is funny because, on a recent Aussie tour, they added "Jessie's Girl" to the setlist.

 

I always saw it as an homage too. The Jam did the same thing.

 

"Homage" vs "Plagiarism".....walking a fine line?

 

Hearing this song for the first time now...yeah, definitely has a few too many similarities going on w/"Picture Book".

 

Preach!

 

I think you are being generous : ) While common chord changes are one thing, I would argue that Green Day goes one further by also coping the same tempo, vibe, and acoustic-nature of the guitar riff. As some other people are saying on here, it's a straight-up ripoff!

Why didn't Ray Davies sue?

 

I'm not sure based on the examples given but then I'm no expert on Green Day.

 

Yes this is a straight rip off although I like both songs! I remember thinking this was more than sheer coincidence when I saw that Green Day covered the Kinks "Tired of Waiting For You" some years back.

 

Led Zeppelin "us too!!"

 

I remember a friend that was so impressed with their American Idiot image , until I showed him the London Calling clip. He was gobsmacked

 

I understand both those who hate and those who love Green Day.
But I think the guy has written a number of unimpeachable songs.

 

At least Mac admitted to it...

 

I always thought that green day did the song as an homage to the kinks. considering they are big fans of Ray Davies