And perhaps ironically, the Beatles have been sued themselves. First, coincidentally, was over “All You Need Is Love.” George Martin lifted the opening sax riff from “In the Mood” by Glenn Miller, which he was very surprised to learn was still under copyright. Later, John Lennon was sued over “Come Together”s first line, “Here come ol’ Flat-top, he come groovin’ up slowly” (see this page; it’s complicated).
And perhaps ironically, the Beatles have been sued themselves. First, coincidentally, was over “All You Need Is Love.” George Martin lifted the opening sax riff from “In the Mood” by Glenn Miller, which he was very surprised to learn was still under copyright. Later, John Lennon was sued over “Come Together”s first line, “Here come ol’ Flat-top, he come groovin’ up slowly” (see this page; it’s complicated).