Elvis Costello Defends Olivia Rodrigo's 'Brutal'

Elvis Costello has reiterated his support for Olivia Rodrigo regarding the similarities between her song "Brutal" and his 1978 hit "Pump It Up." In a recent Vanity Fair interview, Costello explained that he sees no reason to pursue legal action over the similarities, stating, "It’s a shared language of music" and that artists often draw inspiration from one another. He emphasized that without musical quotations, the works of great composers like Bach and Mozart wouldn't exist. Costello also referenced other artists who have retroactively credited him and others for similarities in Rodrigo's songs, such as Taylor Swift on "Deja Vu" and Paramore on "Good 4 U." Rodrigo herself has expressed a desire to focus on her songwriting rather than legal disputes over similarities. Overall, Costello's stance reflects a broader acceptance of musical influences among artists.