Men at Work successfully sued by owners of Kookaburra song
It's hardly plagiarism. I mean, it's just that one riff in the song, and it was probably supposed to be a compliment, throwing something in that's a cultural touchstone from "down under".
That said, it's so weird, the way CBC radio reported it here in Toronto today. They played the first couple of lines of the Kookaburra Song, and then they played a verse (not the flute riff) of Down Under and asked whether we thought it sounded the same.
Well, duh, no. That's not the part of Down Under that was under dispute.
Another example of copyright laws gone amok, like not being able to play or record "Happy Birthday To You".
The thing about music is, we build upon the music that becomes universally known. Jazz artists have done it forever. Once you release your music, there is a chance that everyone will know and love it. When that happens, when it becomes something that enters everyone's brain and won't let go? It's not only yours anymore. You've given something to the world. Let them use it.
That said, I'm sure that the owners of Men At Work's recordings would do the same thing if people sampled from their songs without permission...
By "use it" do you mean "hum it in their head" or do you mean "release a cover version for $$$ and ride on the coattails of its success"?
I don't believe in copyright. There is no original music. It comes from the stars.
Just like schizophrenia. And I don't believe in that either.
For any techno-geeks with time on their hands, chart my bizarro posts against the moon cycles and then come back and tell me I have a brain disorder. I have a mental illness. Not a brain disorder. Thomas Szasz was quite right on this point. The phrase "mental illness" is a category mistake, like a "periwinkle mind" or a "purple idea." See philosophers Gilbert Ryle and Sir Ayers (available through The Selected Letters Of Henry Root, Volume II).
Pardon me, I drifted. Music "speaks" to us individually. That's why Nickelback makes me weep and makes another babbler (can't remember which one, though) barf. You know who makes me barf? Rush. They suck so bad they bend light. Sue me.
Geez, I was just listening to 2112 last night. Great album, terrible inspiration.
See what I mean? I've already offended somebody.
I'm not offended.
I know.
They suck so bad they bend light.
Hahaha! That's hilarious. I don't think I've heard that one before. :D
Well, I shan't be in a Rush to get my Nickleback.
Been listening to old McKenna Mendelssohn Mainline, Crowbar and King Biscuit Boy albums this past weekend. Good stuff. Oh, what a feeling!
Well, I shan't be in a Rush to get my Nickleback.
Good ones, Caissa & Michelle. Thank you and Good Morning, Victoria!
Been listening to old McKenna Mendelssohn Mainline, Crowbar and King Biscuit Boy albums this past weekend. Good stuff. Oh, what a feeling!
Does King Biscuit have anything to do with Flower Power?
I just recently learned that Jerry Lee Lewis and Jerry Lewis are two different people.
And I don't want to say when I learned what a hanging chad was.
And the last cop who arrested me (yesterday, I think, when I surrendered my vehicle to them) didn't know the difference between David Foster and David Foster Wallace. And he graduated from high school in 1993! And he carries a gun!!!
1966
62%
B-
That's all you gotta know about The Goodbye Pie.
I think you're channelling King Biscuit Flower Hour.
I really don't know what any of this has to do with Men At Work.
Michelle? Caissa? Dot the connects for Fidel?
I think you're channelling King Biscuit Flower Hour.
Snert. If you were straight, I'd trans.
Oops. I mean, If you were gay. You're not, are you?
Incredible, isn't it?
It's hardly plagiarism. I mean, it's just that one riff in the song, and it was probably supposed to be a compliment, throwing something in that's a cultural touchstone from "down under".
Another example of copyright laws gone amok, like not being able to play or record "Happy Birthday To You".
The thing about music is, we build upon the music that becomes universally known. Jazz artists have done it forever. Once you release your music, there is a chance that everyone will know and love it. When that happens, when it becomes something that enters everyone's brain and won't let go? It's not only yours anymore. You've given something to the world. Let them use it.
I agree. Men at Work took an iconic tune and made another iconic tune from it, as both a compliment and a complement. Until I heard that CBC news story, I had never made the connexion between the two songs, despite having sung that Kookaburra song in a round over and over again as a child.
Down Under, which pays tribute to Vegemite sandwiches and a land where "women glow and men thunder", has topped the charts in Australia, the US and Britain and is an unofficial anthem for young Australians abroad.
Larrikin, Men at Work and EMI will meet later this month to discuss the findings and begin discussions about costs.
This looks like a pack of lawyers feeding off record companies. Whenever lawyers hear the word "culture" they reach for their briefs.
Nice work, al-.
We're on fire this morning!
Connexion? Really??
Where's Unionist? Did he go for coffee?
His real name is Richard Newell and he was one of Canada's best blues singers. I've been to so many concerts by these guys (King Biscuit Boy, Crowbar, Mainline) that I've lost count - mostly between 1966 and 1975.
Blaze Foley? Duct tape guy?
They suck so bad they bend light.
Hahaha! That's hilarious. I don't think I've heard that one before. :D
"They Suck So Bad They Bend Light".
Timbuk 3 should've released THAT as the follow-up to "The Future's So Bright, I Gotta Wear Shardes".