Gang Gang Dance Speak Out About Florence 'Copy' Dispute

Gang Gang Dance have made their first response to claims Florence and the Machine's song 'Rabbit Heart (Raise it Up)' copied one of their songs.

The New Yorkers said they were annoyed that Florence Welch did not give them their dues earlier for the mimicry, first spotted by a DrownedinSound reader.

Speaking to 6 Music news, singer Liz Bougatsos said: "If she would have mentioned it in the beginning, in the press, which we never saw, that would have definitely made a difference.

"And if she was speaking of an homage at that point, that would have helped as well. If we heard her admit it in the press it would probably have made a difference and not made us feel bad about it."

She added, "I'm happy now for sure. I think I was annoyed in the beginning because other people's reactions were affecting the way I was thinking about it - it's not a natural way for me to come out at somebody. I hope there's no hard feelings."

"I don't really have a problem with people wearing their influences on their sleeve. As an entertainer that's probably a just way to serve the people that listen to your music. If we heard her admit it in the press it would probably have made a difference and not made us feel bad about it."

Welch had said, "I've spoken about it in interviews before. I'm a massive fan of Gang Gang Dance and it was in homage to them."

As previously reported by Spinner, there has since been an agreement to share royalties for the track. Given that 'Lungs' has sold more than 600,000 copies in the UK alone, it should make up somewhat for the loss of equipment Gang Gang Dance suffered in a fire in Amsterdam last year.

Bougatsos said, "I believe that we'll receive some sort of monetary compensation for the similarities in the song and the actual lyrics and style, and I think Florence is happy to do that and that's fine, that feels pretty good."

Spinner was unable to get a comment from Island Records.