Miley Cyrus accused of plagiarism by Amanda Lear

French singer Amanda Lear has accused Miley Cyrus of plagiarising her 1978 song "The Sphinx" in Cyrus's new track "Redlights".

Lear wrote on social media on Sunday: "Thank you, Miley, for copying my song ‘The Sphinx’! I’m flattered!" She added the hashtags "ripoff" and "copycat".

Lear told AFP on Monday that her record label, Universal, and the publishers of the song, for which she wrote the lyrics, wanted acknowledgment of the alleged plagiarism. She said she had not threatened a lawsuit or retaliation.

Cyrus released her tenth album, "Bass Persuades", last Friday. The 10-track dance pop album includes "Redlights".