Stella Lefty’s originality is under investigation once again, this time over similarities between one of her songs and a release from Blake Shelton eight years prior.
Similarities Between Songs
The 24-year-old dropped “Why Wouldn’t We” earlier this year and also included it on her debut album, Long Way Home. Listeners have since taken to social media to point out its similarities with Shelton’s 2017 song, “I’ll Name the Dogs.” Aside from both choruses sounding alike, many have also noted the parallels in subject matter.
Both songs are structured around couples divvying up responsibilities in a hypothetical future together. Lefty sings about splitting up everything from cooking and cleaning to driving and choosing movies, while Shelton runs through a similar exchange involving hanging pictures, fishing, naming babies and, of course, the dogs.
Writing Credits
Matt Dragstrem, Ben Hayslip, and Josh Thompson are credited as writers for the 2017 hit, which went on to win Song of the Year at the inaugural Nashville Songwriter Awards in 2018. None of those names are listed under “Why Wouldn’t We,” which credits Lefty, Emily Weisband, Grady Block, and Steph Jones.
Prior Allegations of Plagiarism
This is hardly the newcomer’s first brush with allegations of plagiarism. Her breakout hit “Boston” drew widespread comparisons to “Stick Season” by Noah Kahan, who subsequently received a songwriting credit. She has maintained that the resemblance was unintentional and that she “wasn’t thinking about Noah Kahan” while writing the song. Videos of her covering “Stick Season” subsequently resurfaced online, notably dated before the release of “Boston”.
Then came “Summer You Were Mine,” another Long Way Home track that interpolates The Chicks’ 1998 hit “There’s Your Trouble.” Original songwriters Tia Sillers and Mark Selby were initially absent from streaming credits, although Atlantic Records later said that Lefty’s team had secured permission months before the album’s release and blamed the omission on a streaming platform error. Their names have since been added.
Upcoming Tour Dates
The latest controversy arrives amid a rapid rise for Lefty, who released her debut record on August 21st. She is scheduled for a series of performances across North America and Australia this fall, before embarking on her “Long Way Home Tour” early next year. The tour will include stops in cities such as New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Nashville, with support from Chris Stapleton, BigXThaPlug, and Grace Enger.
As for “I’ll Name the Dogs,” none of the involved parties have addressed the comparisons yet. Stella Lefty’s team has not commented on the allegations, and it remains to be seen how this will affect her upcoming tour and future releases. With her debut album and tour on the horizon, Lefty is sure to be in the spotlight for the foreseeable future.
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