It's easy to turn on the radio and think: I've heard this one before. Mainstream radio is flooded with pop music bands that sound exactly the same, pop stars who sound like every other bubblegum bombshell, boy-bands that look and sound like every band with five guys who just sing.

But, it's getting worse. Not only are bands tending to lack originality lately, songs are hurting too.

Take "Dani California" by The Red Hot Chili Peppers, for example. The chord progression is Am, G, Dm, Am. Thirteen-years ago, Tom Petty released "Mary Jane's Last Dance," which has a chord progression of Am, G, D, Am. To those who play music - the Chili Peppers and Tom Petty - that means a world of difference.

To the average listener, the songs sound exactly the same.

Just ask Rehoboth Beach, Del.'s radio station WGMD 92.7. The DJs there started the rumor that The Red Hot Chili Peppers have a similar chord progression, key and tempo. Add in the fact that Rick Rubin produced both songs, and it sounded like Tom Petty had a lawsuit on his hands.

Except Petty wasn't looking for one.

He told Rolling Stone: "If someone took my song note for note and stole it maliciously, then maybe. But I don't believe in lawsuits much. I think there are enough frivolous lawsuits in this country without people fighting over pop songs."

One may soon have to wonder if Madonna is going to be as forgiving.

Jessica Simpson is in the process of releasing her first album since her split with ex-hubby Nick Lachey. While Lachey is singing about being broken and lonely, Simpson has opted to sing about her party-girl lifestyle (the one that includes her alleged affairs that may have caused her marriage to fall apart). So "A Public Affair" may not have been the right title for her first single - or her soon-to-be released album - but the title isn't her only problem.

Check out her chord progression, or, rather, the music behind the vocals. It sounds eerily similar to Madonna's "Holiday."

Maybe that's as close as Jessica Simpson can get to Madonna. Britney and Christina had a kiss - Simpson has the music. That's allegedly, of course.