Ok. So, firstly, are we suggesting that all the stoop chats you’ve had up to now are not conversations you might have in real life? Because frankly, if that is the case, I feel betrayed! (Or at least disillusioned.) Secondly, I am surprised as to how much of this conversation was about Ed Sheeran and Marvin Gaye as opposed to Guy Richie and Jake Gyllenhaal. You’ve made me go and listen to Thinking Out Loud which I’m not sure I want to thank you for, but I can’t help but feel that if he loses ( this may have already happened, it’s not a story I was aware of) then it’s not good for the future of music. I could hear the similarities between the songs when I was listening for them but had never made that connection before. As you say, surely there are only so many possible combinations of notes. It doesn’t feel right to lay claim to them as intellectual property. I can think of songs that much more obviously rip off earlier music without any repercussions that I’m aware of - A Town Called Malice by The Jam and Babyshambles’ There She Goes spring to mind. Even then, they are completely different songs in their own right from those they have borrowed from.
Really enjoyed this. Two in one week. We are privileged!
I agree with most of that. The author veers into rather frumpy waters at the end there, when he explains that sampling is "where creativity goes to die." I love Tom Petty's selective enforcement of his own rights — I think there were rumblings around the Chili Peppers song "Dani California," too, and Petty let it go. Guess Sam Smith caught him on a bad day!
Okay, but in all seriousness, now that I’ve written a record, I can just give you all my chord progressions and you can make it way better.
Even serious-er, I still don’t understand how you never sued Blink 182 for ripping off the “After Hours” riff in their song “Natives.” It’s SO close. I’m pretty sure. Speed up the bpm on AH and make it in a different key, maybe.
But also, after writing my own music, to me, everything feels like everything and I don’t know how anyone can possibly not unconsciously just rip someone’s vibe~* off.
Simple solution re plagiarism: write a works cited page in your lil CD booklet and call it a day. That’s what we do in academia!
More thoughts on the Sheeran trial here: https://substack.com/profile/2457011-we-are-scientists/note/c-15679141?utm_source=notes-share-action
Ok. So, firstly, are we suggesting that all the stoop chats you’ve had up to now are not conversations you might have in real life? Because frankly, if that is the case, I feel betrayed! (Or at least disillusioned.) Secondly, I am surprised as to how much of this conversation was about Ed Sheeran and Marvin Gaye as opposed to Guy Richie and Jake Gyllenhaal. You’ve made me go and listen to Thinking Out Loud which I’m not sure I want to thank you for, but I can’t help but feel that if he loses ( this may have already happened, it’s not a story I was aware of) then it’s not good for the future of music. I could hear the similarities between the songs when I was listening for them but had never made that connection before. As you say, surely there are only so many possible combinations of notes. It doesn’t feel right to lay claim to them as intellectual property. I can think of songs that much more obviously rip off earlier music without any repercussions that I’m aware of - A Town Called Malice by The Jam and Babyshambles’ There She Goes spring to mind. Even then, they are completely different songs in their own right from those they have borrowed from.
Really enjoyed this. Two in one week. We are privileged!
Sheeran won! Also, I'm adding an important photograph to the post that Ed had asked me to keep under wraps until the judgment had come in.
Just seen this. Thought it was quite interesting https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/may/05/ed-sheeran-court-victory?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
I agree with most of that. The author veers into rather frumpy waters at the end there, when he explains that sampling is "where creativity goes to die." I love Tom Petty's selective enforcement of his own rights — I think there were rumblings around the Chili Peppers song "Dani California," too, and Petty let it go. Guess Sam Smith caught him on a bad day!
It’s The Guardian so I guess a bit of frumpiness is unavoidable 🤷♀️
Good news! Also, well done for keeping that photo hidden away. I’m thinking it could’ve been prejudicial.
Oh, should also say, this peek behind the curtain confirms I am, in fact, *really* interested in We Are Scientists!
*Screams in November*
Okay, but in all seriousness, now that I’ve written a record, I can just give you all my chord progressions and you can make it way better.
Even serious-er, I still don’t understand how you never sued Blink 182 for ripping off the “After Hours” riff in their song “Natives.” It’s SO close. I’m pretty sure. Speed up the bpm on AH and make it in a different key, maybe.
But also, after writing my own music, to me, everything feels like everything and I don’t know how anyone can possibly not unconsciously just rip someone’s vibe~* off.
Simple solution re plagiarism: write a works cited page in your lil CD booklet and call it a day. That’s what we do in academia!