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This year it was hard to escape the breakout megahit pop ditty "Call Me Maybe" sung by Carly Rae Jepsen, a Canadian chanteuse who was rescued from obscurity by fan Justin Bieber. But does her famous song borrow heavily from a suggestive Christmas ditty done by Ukranian artist Aza?
Well, according to Aza, who has filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles federal court against Jepsen and her songwriters, that's exactly what happened. The suit alleges copyright infringement of "Hunky Santa," and names Jepsen and "Call Me Maybe" co-writers Tavish Crowe and Josh Ramsay, as well as manager Scott Braun, according to City News Service.
E! Online received a statement from Aza:
"I'm shocked and surprised that these people wanted to sample my lyrics on "Call Me Maybe," [...] They didn't ask me for permission—they just stole it. That's why I filed this lawsuit. When I first listened to it on the radio while driving my car, I almost got into an accident. I couldn't believe what I was hearing."
The Jepsen tune's genesis begins with the song as folk number, which was transformed into a pop song by Ramsay. "Call Me Maybe" was released as the lead single from the EP on September 20, 2011, through 604 Records in Canada. The song is about a crush at first sight, and the girl's hope she'll get a call from the object of her affection.
"Hey, I just met you, And this is crazy, But here's my number, So call me, maybe?" goes the chorus. (Apologies for the earworm.)
Now...let's consider "Hunky Santa." It's a sort of speak-sung "song" by a heavily-accented blonde who would like to sit on Santa's lap and get sexy lingerie and chocolate covered almonds under her substantial breasts Christmas tree. She promises baked cookies, turning on the Christmas lights, and that she'll be naughty. Oh, and she gives Santa (who, as legend should dictate, already has her address) her phone number.
Though it's not clear when "Hunky Santa" was released, or where Jepsen et al would have heard it (you can believe it wasn't on the radio), the video was posted by Aza to YouTube on December 23, 2011--which is three months after "Call Me Maybe" was released in Canada.
Aza's lawsuit is asking for unspecified damages and a judge's order halting sales of "Call Me Maybe."
Now for a comparison, here's "Hunky Santa" versus "Call Me Maybe."
