Lizzy McAlpine Credits Nick Drake On New Album After Unintentional Similarity

Lizzy McAlpine revealed that a track on her new album Angel unintentionally mirrors a Nick Drake composition. The similarity was identified before release, resulting in a co-writing credit for the late folk musician.

How the similarity was discovered

During an appearance on the Switched On Pop podcast, the 26-year-old singer-songwriter explained the situation regarding her song "A Car Wash And A New Pair Of Pants." After playing the track for a friend, he pointed out its resemblance to Drake's "One Of These Things First." McAlpine had been listening heavily to Pink Moon but had not yet heard Bryter Layter, the 1971 album where the Drake song appears.

"It's the same key, and the intro chord progression is the same," she said. She emphasized she had never heard the track before writing her own, describing it as if she had "channeled something."

Resolution with the estate

Her label flagged the resemblance as too close for comfort and reached out to Drake's estate. McAlpine wrote a personal letter expressing her deep inspiration from the artist, calling him "one of the greats." The estate agreed to grant permission, and Drake is now officially credited as a co-writer on the track.

Both songs are available for comparison, allowing listeners to hear the parallel chord structures firsthand.