Prince is a Creep

[listopencil]

Originally Posted by Detoxing

That sucked.

I liked the guitar part.

[DaneMcCloud]

I've never paid any attention to Weird Al because quite frankly, I don't find it funny.

But I just took a look at all of the songs in his career that he's parodied and there are very few by serious artists.

Now, his Polka Medley's are different. Those aren't parodies, they're cover songs done in a completely different style than originally recorded, much like Paul Anka's (IMO, awesome) album, Rock Swings, in which hit songs are re-recorded and re-imagined as big band swing tracks.

In the case of a medley, all he had to do was request a license from the Harry Fox Agency. No composer or publishers permission was necessary.

[Baby Lee]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

But I just took a look at all of the songs in his career that he's parodied and there are very few by serious artists.

Gotta disagree, plenty of serious artists, and further plenty of serious hits even when by more fly by night artists.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by Baby Lee

Gotta disagree, plenty of serious artists, and further plenty of serious hits even when by more fly by night artists.

The Polka Medley's, which are not parodies and do not require permission from the publisher or songwriter(s) are those songs in which he included music from Foo Fighters, Disturbed and many other well-known bands.

Also, keep in mind that in many cases, the publisher controls every aspect of song usage, other than mechanical or cover licensing, so even if the original songwriter or artist didn't want their song parodied, if a provision for such uses didn't exist, the publisher makes the decision, regardless of the songwriter(s) or Artist's position.

And I will re-iterate, once again: Most artists and songwriters don't want their songs parodied, by anyone, including Weird Al.

[BigMeatballDave]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

And I will re-iterate, once again: Most artists and songwriters don't want their songs parodied, by anyone, including Weird Al.

Really? I recall some artists recognizing it as a sign that they've really made it in the industry. Like a badge or honor.

[Jamie]

Originally Posted by BigMeatballDave

Really? I recall some artists recognizing it as a sign that they've really made it in the industry. Like a badge or honor.

I remember reading that Nirvana was excited about Weird Al parodying Teen Spirit, and that Kurt Cobain gave him permission personally.

Also Weird Al has always maintained he doesn't have to get permission, but does it as a courtesy. Which seems correct to me, since he doesn't use any part of the original recordings. I don't know why it would be different than recording a cover.

[ToxSocks]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

I've never paid any attention to Weird Al because quite frankly, I don't find it funny.

You're dead to me.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by Detoxing

You're dead to me.

[Anyong Bluth]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

I've never paid any attention to Weird Al because quite frankly, I don't find it funny.

But I just took a look at all of the songs in his career that he's parodied and there are very few by serious artists.

Now, his Polka Medley's are different. Those aren't parodies, they're cover songs done in a completely different style than originally recorded, much like Paul Anka's (IMO, awesome) album, Rock Swings, in which hit songs are re-recorded and re-imagined as big band swing tracks.

In the case of a medley, all he had to do was request a license from the Harry Fox Agency. No composer or publishers permission was necessary.

Dude.

Dane, c'mon...

He hasn't covered songs by big time artists?

You can not be serious.

[Saccopoo]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Now, his Polka Medley's are different. Those aren't parodies, they're cover songs done in a completely different style than originally recorded, much like Paul Anka's (IMO, awesome) album, Rock Swings, in which hit songs are re-recorded and re-imagined as big band swing tracks.

The best ever:

[BigMeatballDave]

I remember Coolio bitched about Amish Paradise.

Yeah, but I bet you didn't complain about the royalties check.

[DaneMcCloud]

Originally Posted by BigMeatballDave

I remember Coolio bitched about Amish Paradise.

Yeah, but I bet you didn't complain about the royalties check.

The royalties would have been nearly non-existent.

First off, the song sampled a Stevie Wonder tune, so right off the top, 50% is out the door. Stat rate in 1996 was 6.95 cents per song, so Weird Al and Coolio would have each had 25%, 1.75 cents, but that's before 25% publishing and 25% for the Controlled Composition Clause, which is in effect until the first 1,000,000 copies were sold.

The record sold just a little under 2 million copies, so if there wasn't a Song Cap, Coolio earned approximately $27k from that song, give or take a few thousand.

Edit: Holy crap! I just read an interview in Rolling Stone with Cooli0 in which he states that Stevie Wonder retained 95% of the publishing for that song. That pretty much changes everything and the publishing royalties to Coolio and Weird Al would have been essentially non-existent.

[Mennonite]

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

LawrenceRaider is a moron that has zero knowledge of music publishing

Do you even lift, bro?

[keg in kc]

This principle is I believe why we have so many porn parodies.

Not that any of us has ever seen any of those.

[Anyong Bluth]

Originally Posted by keg in kc

This principle is I believe why we have so many porn parodies.

Not that any of us has ever seen any of those.

No, that's not mine. I've never even heard of Pump Friction.