My last song was a problem. I realised late that it sounded like something else. Then I kept hearing other songs like it all over the place.
Let me give you the (short) list
You Got It - Roy Orbison
We Are Beautiful - Fern Kinny
Shes Electric - Oasis
Do all these songs sound the same? No. Not really.
They have different melodies, phrasings, rhythms and styles.
But they (and other lesser known songs) were all WEDGED IN MY HEAD !
I dont even like 'She's Electric', so why was I obsessing about it and the others?
Answer: They all have the same chord pattern in them. I was picking up on this subliminally, because they shared this with my song.
Just as well a chord pattern is not copyright, or else Fern Kinny would be suing Roy Orbison who would be suing the Gallaghers etc etc.
The point is, it helps to understand the elements of a song that resembles others, because you can change it OR, other elements that will remove it further from those annoying well known ones.
When you are new to creating music, its much harder, because the 'other' song takes over your thinking and you cant play your own song at all anymore.
Regard other similar songs as obstacles to be wary of, and ultimately overcome.