Tom Petty clarifies “the Sam Smith thing”

Earlier this week, it was reported that Tom Petty and Sam Smith had settled an issue in court, with the former being given a songwriting credit for 2014 hit ’Stay With Me’.

The issue came about after Petty’s team noticed the similarities between Smith’s ballad and his own ‘I Won’t Back You Down’ classic from 1989. Petty and co-composer Jeff Lynne were given a 12.5% writing credit.

“After it was pointed out to Sam’s camp, they didn’t try to fight it and amicably dished out royalties,” a source originally told The Sun. Petty’s now backed this up by offering a statement about the incident.

“About the Sam Smith thing. Let me say I have never had any hard feelings toward Sam,” he begins. “All my years of songwriting have shown me these things can happen. Most times you catch it before it gets out the studio door but in this case it got by. Sam’s people were very understanding of our predicament and we easily came to an agreement. The word lawsuit was never even said and was never my intention. And no more was to be said about it. How it got out to the press is beyond Sam or myself. Sam did the right thing and I have thought no more about this. A musical accident no more no less. In these times we live in this is hardly news. I wish Sam all the best for his ongoing career. Peace and love to all.”

See the full statement here.