David Bowie's Fame and James Brown's Hot (I Need to be Loved Loved Loved)

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David Bowie's Fame and James Brown's Hot (I Need to be Loved Loved Loved) -- what is the deal?

according to a David Bowie FAQ:

I heard a James Brown song that sounds exactly like Fame. Did Bowie rip off James Brown? No. Fame came first. James Brown "based" his song on Fame. Carlos Alomar said once that he wanted to sue James Brown, but Bowie told him "Let's wait and see if it's a hit first". It wasn't, so they didn't bother.

Is this explanation correct? Is this story true?

― Matt Sab (Matt Sab), Thursday, 10 March 2005 19:09 (twenty years ago)

that's the way i always heard it: bowie first then brown

― mark s (mark s), Thursday, 10 March 2005 19:13 (twenty years ago)

I read that in "Strange Fascination." I think it's true.

― Alfred Soto (Alfred Soto), Thursday, 10 March 2005 19:13 (twenty years ago)

there was actually a thread on this--

RFI: James Brown, David Bowie, and "Fame"

― Stormy Davis (diamond), Thursday, 10 March 2005 19:14 (twenty years ago)

maybe jb just assumed that this punk-ass thin white fop wd never be a big deal in the US!!

― mark s (mark s), Thursday, 10 March 2005 19:16 (twenty years ago)

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