I know about this from personal experience!
When I was a music lawyer in the early 90's, we acted for a band from the UK who had a massive hit and were then promptly sued for infringing a piece of classical music - which, unusually, was still in copyright. I won't tell you who it is as that'd be unprofessional, but they are on this list at this site.
So, when I saw this post about stealing from classical music, I was intrigued.
There’s a theory that not a lot has changed since the early days of what we call “Classical music” (i.e. the year 1600 through to the present). In fact, you’d be fairly safe in estimating that at least 90% of the difference between J. S. Bach and Bob Dylan really amounts to differences in performance style, not compositional style. Though the sound of today’s pop music is radically different from the sound of a Beethoven symphony, the compositional structure, the “rebar”, if you will, is very much the same. The constructional elements you find in the music of Bach, Beethoven and Brahms are pretty much the same elements you’ll find in the music of Dylan, Bowie and Springsteen. And beyond.
Go and read the whole post here.
So, lift a melody from a piece of classical music - knowing that it all works and engages the listener - result! One to add to the songwriting tips on the main site.
Although he gives some examples of people using this technique to write hit songs, I know it to be true. Check that link from the top again for more examples.
Oh, and, pick someone who has been dead more than 75 years and then you can't be accused of infringing their copyright!
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