Blurred Lines: the danger of confusing musical inspiration with appropriation | Bob Stanley

If anyone has ever compared a new band to Saint Etienne, I’ve been flattered that we might be an influence. I’m not going to instruct my lawyers to sue
I wonder if Pharrell Williams regrets admitting in court that he was channelling “that 70s feeling” when he wrote Blurred Lines. He must be wondering whether the estate of Curtis Mayfield will be next in line for a multimillion-pound payout – Williams’ Happy, another international No 1, was inspired by Mayfield’s distinctive style