The Beach Boys could be set to take out legal proceedings against popstar Katy Perry over similarities between her recent single ‘California Gurls‘ and their classic 1965 single ‘California Girls‘.
Perry’s track features rapper Snoop Dog singing the famous line ‘I wish they all could be California girls’, and according to the New York Post, an unnamed music industry insider has said Rondor Music have been in touch with Perry’s label Capitol Records to discuss the similarities.
“Rondor Music has sent a letter to Capitol on behalf of Mike Love and Brian Wilson, saying Katy has cribbed one of the most famous lyrics in history,” a source told the paper. “So Love and Wilson should be entitled to a writing credit and a portion of the royalties.”
However, the grumble would appear to be squarely at the feet of the owners of the track, as both Brian Wilson and Mike Love’s representatives have distanced their clients from the argument. “Rondor owns the track and called Brian and Mike, saying they were going to complain,” said Wilson’s representative. “Brian likes Katy’s record and doesn’t know where the situation stands,” while Love’s spokesperson said: “Mike and Brian wrote the song but any legal action is up to Rondor.”
‘California Gurls‘ was a worldwide hit upon it’s release in May, and hit the top spot on both the US and UK charts.