Calvin Harris Accused of Stealing Chicane’s 90s Vibe for “Blessings”

London, UK – May 19, 2025 – Scottish DJ and producer Calvin Harris finds himself at the center of a plagiarism dispute following the release of his latest single, “Blessings.” Electronic music veteran Chicane, also known as Nick Bracegirdle, has publicly accused Harris of copying elements from his iconic 1997 trance anthem, “Offshore.”

Check the comparison below:

Calvin Harris – Blessings Ft. Clementine Douglas

Chicane – Offshore

The controversy erupted shortly after Harris dropped “Blessings,” featuring vocalist Clementine Douglas, on May 9, 2025. Fans and Chicane himself quickly pointed out striking similarities between the new track and “Offshore,” a seminal piece from Chicane’s debut album, “Far from the Maddening Crowds.” Chicane took to social media platforms, including X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram, to voice his concerns. He posted comparison videos, juxtaposing segments of “Blessings” and “Offshore” to highlight the alleged resemblances in melody and structure, often accompanied by captions questioning copyright. One such post included a video fading between the two tracks, with Chicane suggesting he might be considering action regarding potential copyright infringement. ¹

Calvin Harris has not remained silent. He responded to the accusations via social media, refuting the plagiarism claims. In a spirited defense, Harris not only denied copying “Offshore” but also turned the tables by suggesting that Chicane’s track itself sampled Tangerine Dream’s 1983 song, “Love On A Real Train.” Harris reportedly went as far as to call out Chicane for allegedly “ripping off” the song he produced. ²

The dispute has ignited a flurry of discussions online, with music news outlets and social media platforms like Reddit, Instagram and TikTok buzzing with comparisons and opinions. Some fans have noted that “Blessings” also evokes memories of other Chicane tracks, such as “Don’t Give Up” (featuring Bryan Adams) and “Saltwater.”

• Fan Discussions and Comparisons to Other Chicane Tracks (via Reddit): https://www.reddit.com/r/EDM/comments/1ki9y4l/calvin_harris_blessings_ft_clementine_douglas/
• News Outlet Covering Fan Reactions: https://findyoursounds.com/calvin-harris-releases-new-single-blessings-with-uk-vocalist-clementine-douglas/

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“Offshore,” released in December 1996, is widely regarded as an early trance classic, celebrated for its sweeping synth chords and distinctive Balearic sound. Interestingly, music historians have previously noted that the main synth hook in “Offshore” itself drew inspiration from Don Henley’s 1985 hit, “The Boys of Summer,” and the track also has elements reminiscent of Tangerine Dream.

• Information on Chicane’s “Offshore”: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Offshore_(song)
• Details on “Offshore” and its influences: https://weraveyou.com/2024/01/chicane-offshore-2/

As the debate continues, with both artists presenting their cases to the public, it remains to be seen whether the dispute will escalate to formal legal proceedings. For now, the electronic music community watches closely as two prominent figures in the genre publicly contest the originality of Harris’s latest summer offering. “Blessings” has already entered the official UK singles chart, adding another layer to the unfolding situation.

• “Blessings” Chart Performance: https://www.officialcharts.com/songs/calvin-harrisdouglas-blessings/
• Ongoing Nature of Dispute (Social Media Discussions): https://www.tiktok.com/en/trending/detail/calvin-harris-blessings-offshore

1. https://www.reddit.com/r/EDM/comments/1koqmdo/chicane_has_tweeted_regarding_the_similarities/ ↩︎
2. https://weraveyou.com/2025/05/calvin-harris-responds-chicane/ ↩︎