A Stolen Song!!!!!
 

Rev. Paul Jones recorded and allegedly wrote a song called "I Won't Complain", which was nominated for a Steller Award for traditional gospel song of the year. It has been sung on the "Oprah" show, and was sung at Ray Charles' and Luther Vandross' funerals by Stevie Wonder.

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The problem is it was not originally a black gospel song at all! It was a country gospel song, "I Can't Complain", written by an Apostolic preacher, Rev. Don Johnson of Memphis Tennessee. The song was written in 1974, when the Rev. Paul Jones would have been just 14 years old!

Bro. Don Johnson did finally file a lawsuit, but the Rev. Jones was murdered before the trial date in 1990! Bro. Johnson really didn't want to file a lawsuit, as he was glad to hear that his song was being universal sung. The problem was that Rev. Paul Jones was profitting and taking credit for someone elses song!

Compare the melody, words, and chords of the song, and you tell me what you think!

Oprah Show - "I Won't Complain"

Don Johnson - "I Can't Complain"

Re: A Stolen Song!!!!!
 

This is bizarre! Obviously it is the same song, some minor rewording, but I would have instantly recognized it from either version.

I remember singing this song in the early 80's and it had been around a while then. I am racking my brain as to what group or singer that I had originally heard it from.

Re: A Stolen Song!!!!!
 

The version that Bro don Johnson sings is the I am familiar with--I just feel he deserves the credit for writing the song he wrote.

Re: A Stolen Song!!!!!
 

Rev. Don Johnson is a man of great class and character. Wish I were talented enough for people to steal from me. I have known this man for many years. Friends with his grandson and granddaughter. Great family.

Re: A Stolen Song!!!!!
 

Great song too-

Re: A Stolen Song!!!!!
 

I remember when he wrote the song (DJ)..wonderful man of God.

Headed to church...

Re: A Stolen Song!!!!!
 

I heard the song for the first time at a General Conference in Louisville, KY around 1975 or 1976. It was sung by Loretta Earl, who was the wife of a black UPC evangelist. I'll never forget that song bringing the house down and the glory of the Lord filled the place for about ten minutes!

Re: A Stolen Song!!!!!
 

I'm just glad to hear Johnny Legend singing about God on the Oprah show. That's a good day for the kingdom.

I remember that song too.

Loretta Earl! I remember her!

Re: A Stolen Song!!!!!
 

Here's Stevie Wonder singing the song!

Stevie Wonder - "I Won't Complain"

Re: A Stolen Song!!!!!
 

Did Br Johnson have the song under copyright? If so there should not be an issue with him sharing in the profit. It is diffenently the same song.