Happy Birthday, The Right To Parody

[filkertom]

On this date in 1994, the Supreme Court ruled that the Fair Use clause of the Copyright Act of 1976 applied to song parodies. The case, which you may remember, was Campbell v. Acuff-Rose Music, Inc., involving 2 Live Crew's parody of Roy Orbison's "Oh, Pretty Woman".

I've been doing fewer parodies over the years -- or, at least, fewer full-length ones. That could be because I'm less tuned-in culturally, i.e., I watch way less TV and listen to almost no commercial music radio. Dunno. All I know is, every once in a while one will pop out when I'm not paying attention. And it's fun to hear parodies of my stuff, most of which have been at the very least fun and at the very most hilarious.

Any good parodies you've heard, or perpetrated, lately that we need to know about? Or, what are your favorite parodies overall? (None of mine, please -- I'm not trying to fish for praise here.)

Comments

[morpheus0013.livejournal.com]

Does LFG's movie trailer count?

[filkertom.livejournal.com]

That would be a big, BIG honkin' YEAH.

[voiceofkiki.livejournal.com]

That was a glorious day indeed. I have too many favorites to name. And of course, everything I write is parody. (Mostly because I'm not talented enough to come up with original tunes. :P) Thanks for pointing out this nifty anniversary.

*throws confetti*

[scifantasy.livejournal.com]

Well, The FuMP had that "Shakespearean Pie" two or three weeks back...

[jadasc.livejournal.com]

*nod* The team of Spaff on lyrics and Robert Lund on vocals has produced some amazing work.

[khaosworks.livejournal.com]

Sorry to be the voice of the glass-half-full here, but Acuff-Rose isn't the joyful thing that gives parodists carte blanche. If it were, Weird Al wouldn't be getting licences for his own parodies; people should read it very carefully. I examined Acuff-Rose in my Master's thesis on American History about the Air Pirates case, where I was looking at Acuff-Rose in the context of the legal history of parody as a defense to copyright infringement. The Supreme Court did not actually rule that 2 Live Crew's version of "Pretty Woman" was a permissible parody. It remanded it to the district court, where it was settled without a ruling (and 2 Live Crew licensed its parody from Acuff-Rose).

What the Supreme Court did was set out what it thought was fair use, which on reading is a far more woolly test than most people seem to realize. An excerpt from my thesis (the full analysis is too long to post here):

Acuff-Rose was a synthesis of all of the fair use law that went before. It encapsulated everything, and at the same time, it said nothing that we did not already know. Parody was a criticism; parody could be fair use; parody should be given latitude to appropriate; parody cannot appropriate more than necessary to "conjure up" the original, and the more it does, the less it will be considered fair; and fair use has to be decided on a case-by-case basis. Its most significant finding was its strong repudiation of a mechanical application of the commercial presumption in Sony – profit was only one factor and not the be all and end all of fair use as the Sixth Circuit seemed to believe.

And yet, all this analysis of fair use misses a more basic point: the infringing work in question must be defined as a parody before it is allowed this greater fair use protection, or else the question becomes moot. In this respect, the Court's distinction between parody and satire – the latter being something that can "stand on its own" without reference to the original – is horribly subjective and very debatable. The Mouse of Air Pirates Funnies could arguably be a parody because it refers directly to the original, and yet it could be a satire because it comments on the seamy underside that lurks beneath childhood icons in general and for that it does not need to use Mickey. The distinction is an artificial one, and it leaves cases like Berlin completely out in the cold, where the lyrics of the parody made absolutely no reference to the original tunes on which they were "to the tune of". In allowing the lower courts to determine if a particular work is parody or not, Justice Kennedy even seemed to think that on remand, the district court might find that the 2 Live Crew song was not a parody and thus not fair use.

So mere substitution of lyrics to an established tune may not actually be parody unless it in some way references or makes fun of the original. And even then, whether it does or not can be horribly subjective.

[hms42]

Anything from Bob Kanefsky. As for really enjoyed.... hmm... Come Ye Muppets, anything on the Tapeworm and Roundworm Albums.

[shockwave77598.livejournal.com]

That would have to be "Raking the Lawn" as seen on Fump a few months back. One day, when I figure out what's wrong with my final mixing (a bias creeps in and destroys the dynamics) I'll show off some of my own silliness.

[budsharpe.livejournal.com]

Awesome, thanks!

[sdelmonte]

Too many great parodies out there, and too much work here, so I will mention that Dave Weingart's parody of "A Gown Too Blue" (the title eludes me) is brilliant.

[jacob-day.livejournal.com]

That wasn't A SMOF Too Blue, was it? I thought I recalled a female singer for that...

[sdelmonte]

That's it! And there was one time, IIRC, that I heard Three Weird Sisters cover it.

[gorgeousgary]

the_sheryl has also been known to sing it.

[liddle-oldman.livejournal.com]

My top 5 are probably all Weird Al's. I know, hopelessly mainstream, but I'm not plugged into the culture anymore either.

There are a bunch of filky parodies I like -- but I've never heard to originals, so I don't feel that those count.

[jcw-da-dmg.livejournal.com]

I'm working on one about the movie "Cloverfield".

[jcw-da-dmg.livejournal.com]

My favorites lately have all been Robert Lund performing the lyrics of SPAFF. Brilliant stuff.

[admnaismith.livejournal.com]

Other than yours, you say?

Well, there are three in my life history so far that have actually caused me to literally fall down laughing the first time I heard them. They are, Weird Al's "Lasagna"; the song about the Star Wars Cantina to the tune of "Copacabana", and the Xena, Warrior Princess Major General song. I don't even know who wrote the last two, but they're kinda famous among filk-type people.

I'm not sure I'd call them "favorites", really, but they made me laugh like I'd never laughed before, the first time. It helped that they all hit me right out of left field when I wasn't expecting a joke.

And yes, there's a fourth song that did that. I got similarly hit once by a Beach Boys parody about Smurfs by, oh, somebody.

[jrtom.livejournal.com]

I'll second the 'Xena' version of IatVMoaMMG. Who can resist filk with scholarly footnotes?

[hms42]

the song about the Star Wars Cantina to the tune of "Copacabana"

This is NOT a Weird Al song. Mark Jonathan Davis wrote it.

[sydb42.livejournal.com]

I like most of Weird Al's parodies and, while I don't know if this would be my top one if I stopped and thought about it, the first one that came to mind for me as being a great parody was You're Pitiful. Not only is it a great parody on its own, but there's a great "up yours!" story behind it. ;)

I know I've heard some really great parodies that weren't Weird Al, but I'm drawing a complete blank this morning. If I think of something else, I may come back later and post.

[hitchkitty.livejournal.com]

As I've mentioned elsewhere, I'm an absolute sucker for patter songs, and when someone does a patter song parody, I'm thrilled.

So I'll list Weird Al's "Jerry Springer" and the Xena filk of "Modern Major-General".

[starcat-jewel.livejournal.com]

I'll plump for an oldie-but-goodie: Mike Stein's "Hound of the Shakespearevilles", which put a completely unexpected but perfectly logical twist on Brenda Sutton's "Hound of the Baskervilles". When he hit the punch line for the first time, everybody lost it!

[maiac.livejournal.com]

Oh yes. That one's a classic.

WEll...

[autographedcat.livejournal.com]

I have to admit I'm rather pleased with the way this one turned out:

http://autographedcat.livejournal.com/225268.html

[unclelumpy.livejournal.com]

Well, I did write up a parody of "Still Alive" on my LJ a couple days back, as you know.

Shall I post it here?

[filkertom.livejournal.com]

Go for it. Or at least link to it.

[unclelumpy.livejournal.com]

This is annoying
I'm getting an ache, here... In my head
It's hard to tolerate the repetition
Jonathan Coulton
I'm telling you once, because I care
For the love of all that's good
Would you stop playing that song?
There's no use denying
That your talent is great
But my admiration
Is turning into hate
Its time has come and gone
So would you please move on
And play something besides
"Still Alive"?

I’m not even kidding
We’ve heard it so many times now
Even Art Paul Schlosser’s lost his patience
And third person shooters
Are overrated I.M.H.O.
Hell, they’re even starting to
Affect games like “Fallout 3”
Now the point I’m making
Is that success is fine
But overexposure
Is just crossing the line
So come on, take a turn
For the creative and learn
To play something besides
“Still Alive”

Go ahead and try it
I think I’d prefer to see you grow
Maybe there’s another game that needs you
Maybe Duke Nukem
(That was a joke… Ha! Ha! Fat chance)
Anyway, the point remains
We’re all fed up with this crap
But why listen to me? It’s not like I’m a pro
I’m just a fanboy
So what the Hell do I know?
Anyway this has been fun
But I’ve really got to run
Before you start to play
“Still Alive”

And again you will play “Still Alive”
And all the filkers will play “Still Alive”
I feel nauseated by “Still Alive”
At every con I hear “Still Alive”
On your death-bed they’ll request “Still Alive”
“Still Alive”
“Still Alive”

[maiac.livejournal.com]

I have a friend who writes parodies of Tom Lehrer. It's like writing parodies of Tom Smith songs! Inconceivable!

Here's his version of "Lobachevsky", a response to Scooter Libby's indictment for perjury and obstruction of justice.

[r-caton.livejournal.com]

I used to enjoy the work of The Barron Knights....
Call Up The Groups and Under New Management come to mind but they did do parodies of old songs... one that comes to mind was of Billie Richardsons The Old Sow - pretty wierd itself - which started
"There was a young barman that worked up "The Plough"
Ow,*snort*, Ow,*whistle* he isn't there now
Played Space Invaders all day....."

[skemono.livejournal.com]

I quite enjoyed this one when I found it:

[dan-ad-nauseam.livejournal.com]

My most recent quality parody was my filk of Still Alive:

http://dan-ad-nauseam.livejournal.com/96142.html?thread=124558#t124558

[catnip13.livejournal.com]

Seanan's Evil Laugh is begging for a parody that I lack the gift to write. You see, my 3 year-old thinks that a "ha ha die" is a bright colored plastic polyhedron.

The only decent thing we have managed is "if you weren't for me to slay, then why did you sit down to play?"

[warinbear.livejournal.com]

The Gods Of Porn (http://warinbear.livejournal.com/3456.html#cutid1), from my journal a few years ago. (Yes, the title is indicative of the subject matter. You are warned.)

In the immortal words of Bugs Bunny...

[thatcrazycajun.livejournal.com]

"Always remember -- you ASKED for it!"

BEFORE YOU WREAK
Music: "Before He Cheats" by Chris Tompkins and Josh Kear
Parody Lyrics: Matt G. Leger

Right now you're getting back home
Waiting for the phone to ring after what you did to my truck
Right now you're feeling pretty good
After getting your revenge, thinking I'm a lousy-ass...lover
Right now I'm looking at the mess
That you left with your bat and your switchblade and your car keys
I'm pretty cheesed...

CHORUS I:
Well, I hope there's someone to go your bail
When the cops come and haul your skank ass to jail;
The restraining order against you comes next week.
And if you can't pay rent, call someone who cares,
'Cause I'm attaching your wages to fund repairs --
Maybe next time you'll think before you wreak.

Okay, so maybe I was wrong
To go out with somebody else and kiss her and hug her
But still, it don't give you the right
To go after my ride with a Louisville Slugger
And no, it wasn't really bright
To go tellin' all your girlfriends about your little crime spree
Because, you see...

CHORUS II:
You're gonna be locked away for quite a while
'Cause your shrink and my attorney are on speed-dial;
Maybe you shouldn't have skipped your meds this week...
And when the folks at the clinic get through with you
You're gonna find out what I left you with too --
Maybe next time you'll think before you wreak.

You will be lucky if there ever is a next guy
Your violent jealousy
Will make 'em throw away the key
REPEAT CHORUS I

Parody lyrics (c)2008 by Matt G. Leger. Any use for profit requires prior written consent from all copyright holders. All other uses freely permitted so long as this notice is retained unaltered.

[rook543.livejournal.com]

Weird Al's version of Beverly Hillbillies done to the tune of Dire Strait's "Money FOr Nothin'". It FRIGHTENING how well the words for Bev Hill. fit into that song...

[gorgeousgary]

You've reminded me to finally post my latest effort.

My favorites are Jordin Kare's "Heart of the Apple Lisa" and tfabris's "Comfortably Dumb". I had the pleasure of being present when Jordin premiered his at Concertino '95. I think that's the only time I've actually seen people come running down the hall into the main room to find out what all the uproarious laughter was about. And the first time I heard Tony's I just about toppled off my chair into the aisle. 8-)

[thnidu.livejournal.com]

My most recent parody, Pousse-Café (http://community.livejournal.com/filk/283780.html) (on the filk community), seems to have gotten some smiles.