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Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2006 5:14 am
by Bruce the Duck
Elvis @ Jan 17 2006, 07:31 PM wrote:
I don't see what the big deal is if Al's idea ends up being similiar to the posted video. The "issue" most of you seem to be worried about is that it's someone else's idea.
First, it's possible for two people independent of each other to have the same idea, especially in something like parody or satire, where there are only so many routes one can take. Take "Gump" as an example. Luke Ski and Al both had the same idea for the song without the other's knowledge. Even some of the lines are amazingly similiar.
Also, take a look at our own thatoneguy's parody "1955" about "Back To The Future." On the same Dr. Demento show that his song debuted, there was the debut of another song called "1955" with the same subject matter. Two minds can think alike.
Second, so what if it's someone else's idea Al used? If so, Al will acknowledge it. The basis behind "Your Horoscope For Today" was the horoscope column in "the Onion" newspaper. He makes it no secret that he used their idea. He even thanked them in the liner notes. He also makes no secret that the idea for "Like A Surgeon" came from Madonna or that some of his jokes in "UHF" were influenced by "Top Secret!"
Have some faith in Al. He's a professional and he's genuine. You don't last 25 years, especially in the music business, if you're a phony.
Dave
Alright, settle down. Nobody called Al a phony. We're all fans of Al's, remember? We are fans, but that doesn't mean we worship without question.
It's worth discussing this very big similarity between these rumors and the "Sue All The World" song. Again, nobody has outright accused Al of stealing the idea. But can we not raise the possibility? Al's a brilliant parodist, no question. But is he perfect? Of course not.
Like I said, I won't ASSUME Al took the idea from that site, and if he says he didn't then that's good enough for me. But the possibility is there. Of course, like I've said repeatedly, even if Al DID take the idea, his version will easily be infinitely better.
Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2006 5:22 am
by Johnnytimewarp
Al already did "We Are the World", sort of. At the the 1986 Grammys, Al did an intstrumental accordion medley of the songs that were nominated for record of the year called "Salute to the Grammys Polka" with the late Frankie Yankovic (no relation) reading off the titles and artists. The medley included "Born in the USA" (Bruce Springsteen), "Money for Nothing" (Dire Straits), "The Boys of Summer" (Don Henley), "The Power of Love" (Huey Lewis and the News), and "We Are the World" (USA for Africa). I just received a killer 5 CD bootleg set in the mail today called "Ultimate Collection of Rare Tracks 1976-2003", and that was on there...
Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2006 5:50 am
by algonacchick
Bruce the Duck @ Jan 17 2006, 06:11 PM wrote:
Not only in subject matter, Patti. It's also a parody of the same song that Al is supposedly parodying - "We Are The World."
Well, yeah. I meant to mention that. But, thanks for clarifying.
Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2006 2:45 am
by Bruce the Duck
Johnnytimewarp @ Jan 17 2006, 10:22 PM wrote:
Al already did "We Are the World", sort of. At the the 1986 Grammys, Al did an intstrumental accordion medley of the songs that were nominated for record of the year called "Salute to the Grammys Polka" with the late Frankie Yankovic (no relation) reading off the titles and artists. The medley included "Born in the USA" (Bruce Springsteen), "Money for Nothing" (Dire Straits), "The Boys of Summer" (Don Henley), "The Power of Love" (Huey Lewis and the News), and "We Are the World" (USA for Africa). I just received a killer 5 CD bootleg set in the mail today called "Ultimate Collection of Rare Tracks 1976-2003", and that was on there...
That was actually for his Grammy special, entitled "Weird Al's Guide to the Grammys." And the medley was performed by BOTH Yankovics together. I believe the voiceover was done by some random announcer guy, though, and not Frankie, but I could be wrong. Good point bringing that up! That'll be the second song from that medley that Al later uses as a lead parody.
Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2006 8:46 am
by Aron
algonacchick @ Jan 17 2006, 11:43 AM wrote:
Captain Wacky, the video they are talking about is not Al's. Someone else did it. It's something that relates (in subject matter only) to this new song Al is working on. It should not reflect badly on Al at all. Methinks Al will do something completely different, and it will be great!
Btw, I couldn't even watch the whole thing. Really bad!
Oh man, like--- my ears were bleeding after 15 seconds. I had to turn it off.
As for Al's song, I don't think we have to worry about a single thing. Al is totally amazing. He knows what he's doing and he is incredibly clever. The power of the polka is strong with this one.
Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2006 8:58 am
by weirdalfan95
Gah, that sucked. It was kinda gross, too. Al can totally do something better than that garbage!
Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2006 5:10 pm
by weird_el
Being "better" isn't what has me a little worried. This other video clip, as bad as it is, has a copyright. Now, I'm not sure how much that entails -- does it cover the concept? If so, it was their idea first.
Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2006 5:56 pm
by Hope You Enjoy It
weird_el @ Jan 19 2006, 10:10 AM wrote:
Being "better" isn't what has me a little worried. This other video clip, as bad as it is, has a copyright. Now, I'm not sure how much that entails -- does it cover the concept? If so, it was their idea first.
If that were true, then no two comedians could joke about the same subject matter. As long as it isn't a word-for-word ripoff then it's fair game in parody land, at least to my best understanding of the parody laws.
Posted: Fri Jan 20, 2006 12:59 am
by Kevbo1987
Hope You Enjoy It @ Jan 19 2006, 10:56 AM wrote:
If that were true, then no two comedians could joke about the same subject matter. As long as it isn't a word-for-word ripoff then it's fair game in parody land, at least to my best understanding of the parody laws.
You are correct. It would be one thing if Al directly copied the enitre other song, or significant parts of it. But simply doing a song that somehow touches on the same subject matter (and is a parody of the same song) does not violate copyright laws. As I've said, I'm sure Al's song will be very very different.
Posted: Fri Jan 20, 2006 3:10 am
by cody
Johnnytimewarp @ Jan 18 2006, 04:22 AM wrote:
Al already did "We Are the World", sort of. At the the 1986 Grammys, Al did an intstrumental accordion medley of the songs that were nominated for record of the year called "Salute to the Grammys Polka" with the late Frankie Yankovic (no relation) reading off the titles and artists. The medley included "Born in the USA" (Bruce Springsteen), "Money for Nothing" (Dire Straits), "The Boys of Summer" (Don Henley), "The Power of Love" (Huey Lewis and the News), and "We Are the World" (USA for Africa). I just received a killer 5 CD bootleg set in the mail today called "Ultimate Collection of Rare Tracks 1976-2003", and that was on there...
that doesnt matter
if you noticed, he also used to perform a song called Beverly Hillbillies/Miss You (great song), but that didn't stop him from making Money For nothing/Beverly hillbillies...
Also, in that same grammy medley, he did a short instrumental of Money For nothing, but that didn't stop him from parodying it.
I guess I don't really understand the point you were trying to make.
