February 24, 2010 8:46

Florence And The Machine to give 'Rabbit Heart' royalties to Gang Gang Dance

Similarities between song and GGD's 'House Jam' lead to decision

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Photo: Tom Oxley

Florence And The Machine have agreed to pay publishing royalties to Gang Gang Dance after the New York band pointed out similarities between their song 'House Jam' and Florence Welch's hit 'Rabbit Heart (Raise It Up)'.

Gang Gang Dance approached Florence And The Machine's label Island to ask about receiving a share of the publishing royalties for the track, which is credited to producer/writer Paul Epworth and Welch. According to Gang Gang Dance's publisher Warp, "They [Island] did acknowledge the infringement and said that they were aware of it."

Welsh herself said it was a "mistake" to not have credited them in the first place, reports Pitchfork.

"It's no secret. I've spoken about it in interviews before. I'm a massive fan of Gang Gang Dance and it was in homage to them," she said.

Parts of 'Rabbit Heart (Raise It Up)''s melody, as well as the lyric "How quickly the glamour fades", were used without Gang Gang Dance's prior permission, and the band were not acknowledged on the sleeve for Florence And The Machine's album 'Lungs', on which the track appears.