Paying tribute to musical influences is a common practice in the industry, but fans of pop sensation Sabrina Carpenter are expressing concerns that her latest work may have crossed the line into excessive borrowing. The 26-year-old artist released her seventh studio album, Man's Best Friend, in August 2025, receiving a mixed critical reception despite its collection of catchy, buzzy tracks that quickly gained popularity.
Striking Similarities Spark Online Debate
However, attentive listeners were quick to detect a notable resemblance between one of Carpenter's disco-infused hits and a classic tune from the legendary Diana Ross. Specifically, Carpenter's song Tears has been highlighted for its apparent similarity to Ross's 1980 hit Upside Down, prompting a wave of discussions across social media platforms.
Fan Reactions and Observations
One Reddit user initiated the conversation by stating, 'Sooo guys, please let me know what you think but also hear me out. I have been saying for a minute now that Sabrina Carpenter's Tears sounds IDENTICAL to a disco song from the 80s.' The user elaborated, 'I couldn't put my finger on it, and I love a good disco song. But tonight, I took a lil sippy of my marg and listened to my Lady Di (Ms. Ross) playlist, and heard Upside Down.'
The post continued, 'As soon as I heard it, I knew this was the song. I am so shocked no one has mentioned the parallels between the two and I wanna hear from the class, don't these two songs have the same beat and concept?' This observation resonated with many, as another user responded, 'Oh wow that's WILD. Absolutely identical. Especially the post-chorus verse. I KNEW there was something I didn't like about Tears.'
Further comments added to the chorus of concern, with one individual noting, 'The music video was great but I felt like the song was a ripoff of another song. But I haven't been able to figure out what song that was.' Another exclaimed, 'Guys, guys, guys, guys! Tears by Sabrina Carpenter literally sounds almost like Upside Down by Diana Ross and it just clocked to me.'
Defending Artistic Inspiration
Despite the allegations, some loyal fans offered a more nuanced perspective, suggesting the similarities might stem from inspiration rather than direct copying. One supporter pointed out, 'I hear the similarity in vibe and structure, especially that disco groove and emotional contrast, but it still feels more like inspiration than a copy to me.' They added, 'Pop (and disco especially) has a lot of shared DNA, so parallels are bound to happen.'
Historical Context and Legal Precedents
The use of similar musical elements by artists is not uncommon, but it has historically led to significant legal disputes. For instance, in 2023, Ed Sheeran successfully defended himself in a copyright infringement lawsuit concerning his Grammy-winning song Thinking Out Loud and Marvin Gaye's classic Let's Get It On. A Manhattan jury ruled that Sheeran did not engage in willful copyright infringement, dismissing a $100 million damages claim from the family of Ed Townsend, who co-wrote the Gaye track.
Carpenter's Career Trajectory
Sabrina Carpenter first rose to prominence through her role in the teen comedy Girl Meets World, establishing herself with upbeat pop albums. She ventured into more daring territory with her 2022 release Emails I Can't Send, followed by Short n' Sweet, which featured massive hit singles like Espresso and Please Please Please.
As of now, The Daily Mail has reached out to representatives of Sabrina Carpenter for comment, but the singer has not publicly addressed the alleged similarities between her track and Diana Ross's iconic song. The debate continues to unfold among fans and critics alike, highlighting the fine line between homage and appropriation in the music industry.
