Full Breakdown
Sky Ferreira Claims Charli XCX's 'Wuthering Heights' Contains Elements of Her Old Songs
4/6/2026, 7:43:40 AM
Allegations of Song Borrowing
Sky Ferreira has suggested that portions of Charli XCX’s album *Wuthering Heights* may have been derived from her earlier works. Ferreira, who collaborated with Charli XCX on the track "Eyes Of The World" for the soundtrack of Emerald Fennell’s film, has made claims via social media that certain songs from *Wuthering Heights* were inspired by her unreleased demos. Specifically, she indicated that the intro to "Chains Of Love" was allegedly "ripped" from her 2018 demo "Ancient Idols," and that "Altars" from the album was based on a demo from 2015.
In response to these allegations, Ferreira stated, “Your industry ‘insider’ is wrong. Close but wrong,” and emphasized that the similarities were more extensive than just an intro. She asserted, “I have proof of everything with dates,” although she refrained from elaborating further, citing the complexities of the music industry.
Charli XCX's Response and Management Statement
As of now, Charli XCX has not publicly addressed Ferreira’s claims. However, her management provided a statement to *Billboard*, asserting that Charli has a long history of collaboration and songwriting, which includes a thorough review process for *Wuthering Heights*. The statement detailed that all relevant parties were consulted during the songwriting credit determination, and that credits were finalized and approved before the album's release.
Charli's management emphasized her commitment to fair crediting, noting her extensive experience in the industry, which includes writing for other artists and navigating publishing negotiations. They confirmed that the album underwent a standard review process involving legal representatives and producers.
Background on Ferreira and XCX's Relationship
The relationship between Ferreira and XCX dates back several years, with their collaboration on the 2019 single "Cross You Out." Both artists have expressed mutual admiration for each other in the past, with Charli previously praising Ferreira's unique artistry. Recently, Ferreira has been focused on reclaiming ownership of her music after being dropped by Capitol Records, which has added another layer to her current claims.
Criticism and Industry Context
Critics of Ferreira's claims may point to the complexities of songwriting in the music industry, where influences and inspirations often overlap. The nature of collaboration can lead to disputes over originality, especially in pop music, where sampling and borrowing are common practices. Ferreira's insistence on having proof suggests a deeper conflict regarding artistic ownership and recognition.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
There remains a lack of direct commentary from Charli XCX regarding Ferreira's allegations, leaving room for speculation about the validity of the claims. Additionally, the specifics of the alleged borrowing—such as the extent and nature of the similarities—have not been fully detailed by either party, creating gaps in the narrative.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I’m not going to get into it but it was definitely more than an intro. I have proof of everything with dates. It isn’t worth the trouble bc I know how the world works.” — Sky Ferreira
- “When asked for comment, her management team shared the following statement with Billboard: “Charli has made seven albums, four mixtapes and one EP, and has written countless songs for other artists throughout her career.” — Charli XCX's Management
- “All relevant parties were consulted throughout, and the album was played in full in advance of release to everyone.” — Charli XCX's Management
