Lady Gaga and Mark Ronson deny claims they copied 'Shallow' from A Star is Born

12 August 2019, 13:49 | Updated: 2 September 2019, 11:38

Lady Gaga and Mark Ronson have responded to threats of a lawsuit over allegedly copying ‘Shallow’ from the film A Star Is Born.

Steve Ronsen has claimed that the duo had ‘stolen’ his work, and used a three-note progression sequence from his song ‘Almost’, without any credit or permission.

Speaking to ET Online, he said: “It was brought to my attention by many people that the ‘Shallow’ song sounds like mine.

"I did not seek this out, I haven’t even seen the movie (I heard it’s pretty good). I admire Lady Gaga and I just want to get to the bottom of this.

Read more: 7 times artists sued others for copying their music

“There are other writers that wrote the ‘Shallow’ song, including Mark Ronson. I have secured a musicologist who also agrees that the songs are similar. I am simply going about this how anyone else would investigate any possible infringement.”

Listen to both songs below and see what you think:

Lady Gaga, Bradley Cooper - Shallow (A Star Is Born)

Almost Video Steve Ronsen

Lady Gaga’s lawyer has now released a statement denying the claims, while also hitting out at the songwriter and his lawyer Mark D Shirian.

They said: “Mr Ronsen and his lawyer are trying to make easy money off the back of a successful artist. It is shameful and wrong.

“I applaud Lady Gaga for having the courage and integrity to stand up on behalf of successful artists who find themselves on the receiving end of opportunistic claims such as this. Should Mr Shirian proceed with the case, Lady Gaga will fight it vigorously and will prevail.

Read more: The Story of... 'Shallow'

“We provided Mr. Shirian a lengthy letter with the findings of multiple leading musicologists, each of whom found no actionable similarities between the two songs. Even Shirian’s own musicologist acknowledged the generic three note progression is present in many other songs predating his client’s song.”

‘Shallow’ won an Oscar for Best Original Song earlier this year. Lady Gaga co-wrote the track with Ronson, Anthony Rossomando, and Andrew Wyatt.