Debates about originality in music are nothing new. However, when the artist involved is the world’s biggest pop star, the discussion inevitably grows louder. Recently, ALEX SKOLNICK, guitarist of TESTAMENT, offered his perspective on plagiarism accusations directed at TAYLOR SWIFT, suggesting that the concept of “borrowing” in music is far more widespread than many listeners realize.
The comments came amid online debates surrounding TAYLOR SWIFT’s album The Life of a Showgirl, which shattered records shortly after its release. While the album’s commercial success was undeniable, it also became the subject of scrutiny as fans and critics compared several tracks to earlier songs by other artists.
A record-breaking release followed by controversy
Released on October 3, The Life of a Showgirl sold more than four million copies in its first week, becoming the fastest-selling studio album in history, as previously reported by the Los Angeles Times. Yet, almost immediately after that achievement, accusations of plagiarism began circulating online.
Some listeners claimed the album’s title track resembled the JONAS BROTHERS’ song “Cool.” Others pointed to similarities between “Actually Romantic” and the PIXIES’ iconic “Where Is My Mind,” while “Wood” was compared by some fans to THE JACKSON 5’s “I Want You Back.”
Despite the noise, a forensic musicologist quoted by Rolling Stone on October 9 stated that there was no factual basis for the accusations. Still, the conversation continued, extending beyond pop circles and into the broader music community.
Alex Skolnick enters the discussion
During a November 24 appearance on Talk Louder, ALEX SKOLNICK reflected on the controversy while discussing how influence shapes artistic expression. Although he clarified that he is not a regular listener of TAYLOR SWIFT’s music, he acknowledged that identifying influences is often easy, even among established artists.
Transcribed by Ultimate Guitar:
“I can point to many examples of highly established musicians, even pop musicians [where] I can totally tell what the influence is. I’m not a Taylor Swift listener. I appreciate her as a person, but there’s a huge controversy over her new record, where people are comparing songs… There’s the Pixies, one by Weezer. And these aren’t groups that I listen to a lot, but, putting them back to back, you can really change one drum here and melody [there]…”
Rather than framing these similarities as wrongdoing, ALEX SKOLNICK emphasized that influence is a natural part of creative development. According to him, inspiration does not automatically equate to theft.
Technology has changed how plagiarism is perceived
In the same interview, ALEX SKOLNICK pointed out that modern technology has significantly altered how listeners evaluate music. In earlier decades, identifying similarities required physical access to records and careful listening. Today, the process is instantaneous.
Transcribed by Ultimate Guitar:
“I think it’s also gotten easier to figure it out, because you no longer need to take a record and put it on a turntable, and then take another record… You have so much access to music, whether through streaming or YouTube. You just put up these tracks back to back.”
As a result, perceived similarities are now detected faster and shared widely, often without deeper musical context. This ease of comparison, according to ALEX SKOLNICK, can sometimes blur the line between influence and imitation.
“Borrowing” is part of music history
To further explain his viewpoint, ALEX SKOLNICK referenced a quote commonly attributed to Pablo Picasso: “good artists borrow, great artists steal.” While controversial, the idea underscores how creativity often builds upon what came before.
Transcribed by Ultimate Guitar:
“I’ve always been very honest about being inspired by other music. A Testament song, ‘Electric Crown’ — I’ve talked about how I was just riffing on ‘You’ve Got Another Thing Comin’ by Judas Priest… just playing around with the chords. Add a couple of chords in, and now it’s a different riff. There’s so many examples like that. Many of us do it. Many of us are not as honest about it. It’s so common that sometimes it happens in surprising ways.”
Here, ALEX SKOLNICK stressed honesty as the key distinction. Borrowing elements, in his view, becomes problematic only when artists deny their influences or misrepresent originality.
Famous examples across genres
To illustrate how widespread this phenomenon is, ALEX SKOLNICK cited well-known examples from rock history. One of the most frequently discussed involves METALLICA and PINK FLOYD.
Transcribed by Ultimate Guitar:
“There’s probably, like, three huge Metallica hits that are based off one riff that they did in ‘Goodbye Blue Sky’, but everybody knows that. Pink Floyd, you don’t think of them as borrowing, but there’s a line in ‘The Wall’ where Roger Waters is singing so close to Leonard Cohen…”
These examples highlight how even legendary bands, often praised for originality, draw inspiration from earlier works. For ALEX SKOLNICK, acknowledging these connections does not diminish the music. Instead, it places it within a broader creative lineage.
Context matters more than comparison
According to ALEX SKOLNICK, many plagiarism accusations lack nuance. Music operates within established structures, whether chord progressions, rhythms, or melodic patterns. Because of this, overlap is sometimes inevitable.
Rather than focusing solely on similarities, he suggests considering intention, transformation, and artistic voice. A song may echo another while still standing as its own creative statement.
Why the Taylor Swift debate resonates
The controversy surrounding TAYLOR SWIFT reflects a larger cultural tension. On one hand, fans demand originality. On the other, music has always evolved through reinterpretation and adaptation.
As one of the most visible artists in the world, TAYLOR SWIFT faces heightened scrutiny. Yet, as ALEX SKOLNICK implies, the standards applied to her are rarely applied evenly across genres or generations.
A perspective shaped by experience
With decades in the music industry, ALEX SKOLNICK brings a long-term perspective to the debate. As a member of TESTAMENT, he has navigated creative influence, fan expectations, and artistic evolution firsthand.
Rather than condemning artists for similarities, he encourages transparency and understanding. In his view, recognizing influence strengthens music culture rather than weakening it.
Influence versus intention
Ultimately, ALEX SKOLNICK’s comments suggest that plagiarism discussions often overlook the complexity of songwriting. While outright copying exists, most cases involve shared musical language rather than deliberate theft.
For listeners, this perspective offers a more balanced way to approach such controversies. Instead of immediate judgment, understanding how music is made can lead to deeper appreciation.
As debates around The Life of a Showgirl continue, ALEX SKOLNICK’s insight serves as a reminder. Music does not exist in isolation. It evolves, borrows, and transforms, carrying the past into something new.
