Identity crisis

‘Pinoy Ako’ copied from a foreign song?


By KAYE VILLAGOMEZ


Orange and Lemons cleared issues on alleged similarity in melody of its current hit "Pinoy Ako" to "Chandelier," an original song of the ‘80s band The Care.


"As a musician who can transcribe music note for note and having an idea about technicalities, I can confidently say they are two different songs," Orange and Lemons’ vocalist and guitarist Clem Castro told Manila Bulletin via text message when asked for clarification.

Star Records’ Jamie Hipe admitted that the band may have been influenced by The Care but after studying both songs they resolved that each has its own identity. "We studied the two songs and concluded that they are two different songs. Orange and Lemons may have been influenced by The Care but no, they did not copy The Care’s song. Yes, they wrote the melody and used ‘Chandelier’ as their peg," stated Jamie of Star Records.

This negative observation began circulating last month inside the band music circle but it’s only now that the band has made a comment on it.

"Pinoy Ako" was a collaboration between the band Orange and Lemons and songwriter-record producer Jonathan Manalo who told the Bulletin that he only penned the lyrics of the song and entrusted the rest to the band.

"I can’t comment as of the moment because the melody and arrangements are all from Orange and Lemons. Though I produced the record, there hasn’t been any discussion between me and Orange and Lemons about a certain song called ‘Chandelier.’ I’ve given them 100 percent creative freedom to interpret and arrange my song," Jonathan disclosed.

The songwriter added, "After they (members of Orange and Lemons) finished the song, I had the assurance that it was from an original material."

Orange and Lemon’s Clem may have been irked by Bulletin’s inquiry prompting him to give the following message: "Do you actually think/believe that the melody lines are similar? You know Star Records will not declare it as they did without consultation and deliberation, which believe me, they already did."

Orange & Lemons is composed of Clem Castro (guitars and vocals), Mcoy Fundales (guitars and vocals), Ace Del Mundo (drums), and JM Del Mundo (bass).

In a recent interview Clem had the audacity to say "magpasalamat ang the care at pinasikat namin yung kanta nila"

I have a joke about orange and lemons... What's yellow and orange and sucks? I don't remember how the joke ends but I know that Orange and Lemons suck