Song Plagiarism Accusation
French Disco Singer Amanda Lear Accuses Miley Cyrus of Copying Song
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Key Points
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Amanda Lear said fans alerted her to the alleged similarity, after which she contacted her producer and record company; she said they regarded the two songs as “total plagiarism” after reviewing them.
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Lear said Universal, which she identified as the rights holder for “The Sphinx,” would contact Cyrus’ record company, potentially beginning formal discussions over the song.
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Lear said she likes Cyrus and indicated that a court case was not her only preference, suggesting the dispute could be resolved through an agreement before litigation.
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Lear followed her accusation by describing Never Trust a Pretty Face as “my best album” and adding the hashtag “pioneer,” reinforcing her response to online attempts to minimize her career.
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The online debate included listeners who said the songs sounded “nothing alike” and accused Lear of seeking attention, contrasting with others who said Cyrus should provide credits because they heard the same melodies.
French disco pioneer Amanda Lear has accused Miley Cyrus of copying her 1978 hit "The Sphinx" in "REDLIGHTS," a track on Cyrus' new album Bass Persuades. Jezebel reports that Lear said fans alerted her to the alleged similarity, prompting her to contact her producer and record company, who described the songs as "total plagiarism" after reviewing them.
Lear has indicated that Universal, the rights holder for "The Sphinx," could pursue an agreement with Cyrus' label—such as adding credits—or take legal action. IBTimes notes that Lear has clarified she is not currently threatening a lawsuit. Cyrus has not publicly responded to the accusation, and no plagiarism has been legally established.
Lear Says Fans First Spotted the Alleged Copy
Amanda Lear discovered the accusation through social media. Hit Channel reports that fans alerted the French singer to what they believed were matching elements between "The Sphinx" and "REDLIGHTS." After hearing the similarity herself, Lear contacted her production team and record label to investigate further.
According to Riviera Radio, Lear raised the allegations publicly on Instagram after this internal review. Her team reviewed both tracks and concluded the melody and rhythm matched too closely to be coincidence, calling it "total plagiarism." Lear said Universal would reach out to Cyrus' record company to discuss the matter.
Rights Holder Could Seek Settlement or Court Action
Lear made clear she prefers resolving the dispute without litigation. IBTimes reports that Lear said she likes Cyrus personally and would accept an agreement—possibly involving songwriting credits or payment—rather than pursuing a lawsuit. However, she left the door open for legal action if no settlement is reached.
The French singer indicated that Universal, which owns the rights to "The Sphinx," would contact Cyrus' label to begin formal discussions. Calgary Sun notes that no lawsuit has been filed and no official legal proceedings have started. The dispute remains in its early stages, with both sides apparently not yet engaged in direct negotiations.
Online Debate Splits Over Song Similarity
Social media responses have been sharply divided. Some listeners say the two songs sound "nothing alike" and have accused Lear of seeking attention to revive her career. Others claim they hear identical melodies and argue that Cyrus should acknowledge the similarity with proper credits if the songs truly match.
Lear responded to criticism by emphasizing her place in music history. She promoted her album Never Trust a Pretty Face as "my best album" and posted the hashtag "pioneer," defending her legacy against online dismissals. Jezebel notes that the debate has also focused on validating Lear's status as a disco icon, separate from the plagiarism accusation itself.
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