Jay James accused of 'copying' his "genius" 500 Miles performance

[Headie]

X Factor act Jay James Picton has been accused of copying his performance of The Proclaimer’s 500 Miles.

Jay last night performed the song as part of this weekend’s 80s theme, putting a supposedly unique twist on it.

His mentor Simon Cowell claimed that it was a “genius” move, although Cheryl Cole said she found it very “odd”.

However it’s now been claimed that the cover is shockingly similar one by American singer Sleeping At Last, real name Ryan.

His version of the track hit YouTube a year ago and has had over half a million views.

Many were quick to point out the similarities on Twitter, with one fan saying: “The #XFACTOR totally just took credit for @sleepingatlast ‘s arrangement of #500miles by the @The_Proclaimers”

Another quipped: “Any1 tempted to download the ‘original’ Jay James version, download the cover its ripped off from @sleepingatlast”

And a third sniped: “Jay James you just copied Sleeping At Last’s cover of 500 miles”

Sleeping At Last himself tweeted yesterday evening: “WHOA! thx for all of the passionate tweets bout @TheXFactor @SimonCowell & a contestant singing my ver of 500 miles! you guys got my back!:)”

It’s the second song from last night’s slow alone that’s claimed to have taken a surprising amount of inspiration from elsewhere, with Lauren Platt also accused of ripping off her performance.

Read more: http://tellymix.co.uk/reality-tv/the-x-factor/200578-x-factor-2014-jay-james-accused-of-copying-his-genius-500-miles-performance.html#ixzz3GaxhI9kM
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Where was Mel and her 'cheating' accusations? http://i.imgur.com/gMbmXdj.png

[Kizzy]

This guy ryan is really good, get him signed si!

[Crimson Dynamo]

It was an epic bad song choice and a miserable attempt

[Black Dagger]

Yeah I found that version on youtube as soon as it was announced as his song choice and knew he'd be doing it.

[Smithy]

It's only like Cheryl using foxes performance last week :shrug:

[Josy]

It's only like Cheryl using foxes performance last week :shrug:

Yep.

There will no doubt be one of these articles every week there's only so much that can be done with songs before they become completely unrecognisable tbf.

[Liam-]

The thing is, with the internet how it is now, full of unsigned people doing their own versions of songs to try and get noticed, it's inevitable that somebody on the show is going to sing version of a song that has already been done, so it's a bit of a non-story.

[Brother Leon]

You could find a version for pretty much every cover on X Factor. It was still performed brilliantly.

[Crimson Dynamo]

No one did an Alison Moyet classic

these thick unoriginal judges

jesus wept

[Pete.]

Sabotage ha

[Jordan.]

Lol again. I can't with this show

[Cal.]

I'm pretty sure Andrea copied his song from Whitney Houston too.

[Tom4784]

X Factor copying unique twists on songs is nothing new.

[Marc]

Don't care; it was good

[GoldHeart]

that version of proclaimers 500 miles was a nice surprise
i was dreading it because i couldn't take it serious the thought of proclaimers i kept thinking of the comedy version with peter kay :laugh2:
i have never heard it sung so slowely and with such emotion it was a nice ballad and it was Jay's best performance
he's a contender :thumbs:

[Kizzy]

I just kept thinking back to drunken nights when it would come on and we'd all sing 'bellender!' *sigh* :laugh:

[Mystic Mock]

I don't particularly care that badly tbh, what matters to me is that Jay sung the song in the most boring tone that anyone has ever sung the song in before.