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Did Olivia Roridgo 'Rip Off' 'Get Him Back' From A Meme Song? The Similarity Between 'Get Him Back' And 'George Washington' Explained
Pop star Olivia Rodrigo is having a moment right now thanks to her successful sophomore album Guts, propelled in part by its third single, "get him back!"
One of the issues that have dogged Rodrigo's career so far is accusations of "lifting" from other artists, and she notably had to pay Paramore and Taylor Swift some songwriting royalties due to the similarities between their songs and some songs off Rodrigo's debut, Sour. Noticeable similarities between Rodrigo's music and other songs are present again on Guts, but on "get him back!," some online are suggesting there's a surprising potential inspiration: A meme song from twenty years ago.
What Is Brad Neely's "George Washington"?
"George Washington" by Brad Neely of Wizard People, Dear Reader and China, IL fame is a classic meme — so classic that it predates YouTube. It's a parody rap in which two of Neely's characters rap about the incredible exploits and physical prowess of first U.S. President, George Washington.
Neely is on the record saying he doesn't even remember when he made it, saying it was likely "2004 or 2005." It got some plays at comedy animation festivals before finally being uploaded to YouTube in 2008, and it has gone on to be an all-time classic YouTube-hole video, particularly for people who were in college at the turn of the 2010s.
Did Olivia Rodrigo Really Rip Off A Meme Video?
Likely not, but there is an audible similarity between the heavy synths and talk-rapping present in both "get him back!" and "George Washington." This led multiple people online to joke that Rodrigo turned to Brad Neely for inspiration for the tune. TikToker @berrykillings but the two side by side to demonstrate the similarity.
There are many songs that use the kind of talk-singing and rhythmic pattern in "get him back!" — some have brought up the 1996 song "Pepper" as another similar song — and given Rodrigo's musical affinity for 90s culture, it's far more likely she was inspired by alternative rock from that decade. Heck, Neely himself could have been influenced by alternative rock from the 90s writing "Washington," though neither has commented on the song's musical etymology.
Nevertheless, the hit has become a nostalgia bomb for 30-somethings and meme lovers online, as many seemed more than happy to remember a classic Brad Neely video.
For more information, check out Brad Neely's 'George Washington' on Know Your Meme.