Train Is As Infatuated With Jason Mraz As ‘American Idol’

Becky Bain | February 18, 2010 4:48 pm

Train have landed their first hit in years, the bouncy “Hey, Soul Sister.” Should the song’s success be credited to the fact that it sounds just like Jason Mraz’s “I’m Yours,” which was prominently featured on American Idol this week?

“Hey, Soul Sister” from the band’s fifth studio release, Save Me San Francisco, is already at #7 the the Billboard Hot 100, and the last time Train had a Top 10 single was back in 2001, when they went stratospheric on the success of “Drops of Jupiter (Tell Me).” Much of its success on the Billboard chart comes from the song being on fire on iTunes, where it currently sits right below the Black Eyed Peas and the “We Are The World” charity orgy at #3.

Train’s hit is being touted as 2010’s answer to Mraz’s infectious, quadruple-platinum “I’m Yours,” and it’s even inspiring YouTube users to upload mash-ups of the two songs. Of course, some people are calling it a straight-up rip-off, particularly since both tracks were partly produced by the same guy, Martin Terefe.

Could people have been watching every other contestant sing “I’m Yours” on Idol Tuesday night, been inspired to download Mraz’s song and accidentally downloaded Train’s similar tune instead? And should Mraz be worried about Train ripping off his ukulele-infused thunder? Or is it all a Ryan Tedder-style coincidence that a producer helmed two tracks for two different acts that sound somewhat alike? Let’s give both songs a listen:

Train – “Hey, Soul Sister”

And here’s Jason Mraz’s “I’m Yours” to compare:

Honestly? The light, happy-go-lucky sound is definitely a new direction for Train (who are about to embark on a national tour this March), and honestly, just because Mraz has scored with a beachy folk song or two doesn’t mean he patented them. While both songs would great picks the next time you’re DJing your neighbor’s poolside barbeque, they’re different enough where we don’t think Mraz (or Colbie Caillat or Jack Johnson or any of the dozens other feel-good, laid-back, guitar-tweaking artists out there) should be calling their lawyers quite yet.

Postal Service, however—we still think Owl City owes you some royalties.