Something on the order of one to five billion songs have been written or sung or played. There is no way I know of to come up with a new chord progression.
Major artist have legal issues often over these facts.
Johnny Cash wrote Folsom Prison Blues.
"Cash took the melody for the song and many of the lyrics from
Gordon Jenkins's 1953
Seven Dreams concept album, specifically the song "
Crescent City Blues".
[6] Jenkins was not credited on the original record, which was issued by
Sun Records. In the early 1970s, after the song became popular, Cash paid Jenkins a settlement of approximately US$75,000 following a lawsuit."
Usher and Bieber as of late..
Not good news for Justin Bieber and Usher. A court ruled Thursday that the pair will have to face a $10 million lawsuit alleging copyright violation for “Somebody to Love,” a single off Bieber’s
My World 2.0, according
to Reuters.
Sometimes people just steal stuff, sometimes people have no idea in there head that they are copying someone else work.
If I write a 1/4/5/ blues song that starts out with " Woke up this morning" is that stealing? Where you draw the line is not at all clear.
I used the bass line from Billy Jean to produce a cover of Big Boss Man. It has been on the market for over ten years and Michael Jackson's legal team has never call to gave me a problems. And for sure that album has only sold in the thousands so it is not a well know hit.
Bottom line, if you feel good about your music then do it. If you willingly use someone else work then be ready to talk to the wonderful legal folks...lol
Cheers,
Billy