Des'ree versus Beyonce: cover was never cleared

Artists:
Beyoncé »

by Mike Diver [Edit this content] ▾ 22 comments 16:40 April 19th, 2007

British soul singer Des'ree is suing American R&B star Beyoncé Knowles (pictured, possibly startled by a beaver brushing her shins) after the latter failed to clear the former's 'I'm Kissing You' hit of 1998 for a sorta-kinda cover version, 'Still In Love (Kissing You)'.

Making sense? Good. Beyoncé's version was included on the deluxe re-issue of her B'Day album. B'Day. LOL.

The suit alleges that representatives from Columbia, Beyoncé's label, tried but failed to finalise a deal for clearance on the song. The complaint was filed on Tuesday, in Manhattan Federal Court, reports Vibe.com.

Des'ree is looking for $150,000 in damages and for the distribution of the song to be, essentially, stopped. If Des'ree was American, just how much more would she be wanting right about now?

Jay-Z to pull out of Glastonbury? Rapper 'still a headliner', claim organisers 07 Apr 12:20
Year of the Gig: live music matures in Shanghai in 2007 15 Nov 11:46
Chart round-up, and shot: not a right lot happens 23 Apr 12:12
DiS in digest: our pick of the week's news 20 Apr 17:14
Des'ree versus Beyonce: cover was never cleared 19 Apr 16:40
Two princes, princes who adore you, they're planning a concert... 27 Nov 15:18
DiS reads about the UK charts; rewords everything; calls it an 'article'; goes for lunch. 30 Oct 13:23
Beyoncé announces dates for 2007 29 Sep 11:14

Beyoncé

View profile

From the archive

You should:

Tweet This or

Share on Facebook

Comments

- Post a new comment on this article

LIFE

OH LIFE

Martbowski | 19 Apr '07, 16:47 | X | Reply

"Money don't make my world go round,

I'm reaching out to a higher ground". "Is that a philosophy?".

65daysofclaridge | 19 Apr '07, 16:48 | X | Reply

hahah

that makes this a B'Day suit.

benmarwood | 19 Apr '07, 16:52 | X | Reply

is that

the lovely song from Romeo & Juliet soundtrack? I can only imagine she's suing cos trout face WARBLED THE SONG TO DEATH and made it about as subtle as an eddie murphy movie. and fair fucking play to da des'ree.

amyblue @benmarwood | 19 Apr '07, 17:07 | X | Reply

wierd

I heard this while shopping in Sainsburys this morning and thought:

a) why are they playing this song? I haven't heard this in ages
b) Crikey, the lyrics are bad

"I don't wanna see a ghost
It's the sight that I fear most
I'd rather have a piece of toast
Watch the evening news"

????!!!

grundylezimbra @Martbowski | 19 Apr '07, 17:12 | X | Reply

seconded

cyan_scarab @amyblue | 19 Apr '07, 17:22 | X | Reply

Hope it's not a Japanese B'Day

it might catch fire underneath the buttock area...

Sonic_James_Doom | 19 Apr '07, 17:31 | X | Reply

Des'ree?

I thought she was dead.

eightyseven | 19 Apr '07, 17:34 | X | Reply

also weird:

i spelt weird wrong. i hate people that do that.

grundylezimbra @grundylezimbra | 19 Apr '07, 17:36 | X | Reply

I'm sorta offended by the last line, Mike.

We've not all greedy Americans.
....
Well, yes, I am. True.
....
....
OK, I'm over it. But let's keep the racial slurs to an absolute minimum in the future, shall we?

oceanRain | 19 Apr '07, 17:37 | X | Reply