The Music Thread

[O Really]

These, on the other hand, from mostly the same sources, I know them all.

"The greatest songs of all time"

https://www.msn.com/en-ca/entertainment ... li=AAggFp5

[O Really]

This is ridiculous. Another "100 Best Songs of 2021", this one from NPR. Very little overlap with Billboard, but I know/have heard of hardly any of these either. And since when can you get a "top" song named "Fuck Him All Night"? I'm old.

https://www.npr.org/2021/12/02/10543779 ... 021-page-1

[Vrede too]

This is ridiculous. Another "100 Best Songs of 2021", this one from NPR. Very little overlap with Billboard, but I know/have heard of hardly any of these either. And since when can you get a "top" song named "Fuck Him All Night"? I'm old.

https://www.npr.org/2021/12/02/10543779 ... 021-page-1

I'm guessing pretty much any year it was released.

It's #69!

[Ulysses]

Ready, set, go!

[O Really]

So everybody knows that the Beach Boys "Surfing USA" is a direct and blatant ripoff of Chuck Berry's "Sweet Little Sixteen" Exact music, just different words. I didn't realize how close it was, though, until finding a mash-up of the songs (which unfortunately I lost but if I find it again I'll post it).
Then, looking at the lyrics from both, it was fun to mix and match and get some interesting changes. Like:
If everybody had an ocean,
like Pittsburgh PA...

or
Everybody's gone surfing
with Sweet Little Sixteen

Try it.

[Ulysses]

So everybody knows that the Beach Boys "Surfing USA" is a direct and blatant ripoff of Chuck Berry's "Sweet Little Sixteen" Exact music, just different words. I didn't realize how close it was, though, until finding a mash-up of the songs (which unfortunately I lost but if I find it again I'll post it).
Then, looking at the lyrics from both, it was fun to mix and match and get some interesting changes. Like:
If everybody had an ocean,
like Pittsburgh PA...

or
Everybody's gone surfing
with Sweet Little Sixteen

Try it.

OK, yeah the Beach Boys "stole" the tune. But that's not the end of the story. Apparently Brian Wilson's father handed over the copyright to Surfin USA to Berry. And on the Tonight show Berry himself dismissed the stolen aspect, saying it was just borrowed.

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=le51jB37Fro

Lady Laraine
4 years ago (edited)

This one was obvious--I could hear the similarities right away. I read that Brian Wilson's father did the right thing and handed over the copyright for "Surfin' USA" to Chuck Berry. So if you ever see the sheet music for Beach Boys' "Surfin' USA," it says by Chuck Berry.

And I read that Brian didn't hold a grudge against Berry for that (which I personally don't think he should have)--and I read that Brian even sings some of "Little Sweet Sixteen" (by Chuck Berry) onstage sometimes. Good going, guys--right thing to do! (P.S. I also saw Chuck on The Tonight Show, being interviewed by Johnny Carson. Johnny asked him about others "stealing" his songs. Chuck replied that they were merely "borrowing" from him. Because when musicians get credit for writing their songs, no matter who sings it--they'll get credit. Well, Chuck, as I said, did eventually get credit for "Surfin' USA."

[Vrede too]

So everybody knows that the Beach Boys "Surfing USA" is a direct and blatant ripoff of Chuck Berry's "Sweet Little Sixteen" Exact music, just different words. I didn't realize how close it was, though, until finding a mash-up of the songs (which unfortunately I lost but if I find it again I'll post it).
Then, looking at the lyrics from both, it was fun to mix and match and get some interesting changes. Like:
If everybody had an ocean,
like Pittsburgh PA...

or
Everybody's gone surfing
with Sweet Little Sixteen

Try it.

This never happens with country music, it's all the same song.

[O Really]

OK, yeah the Beach Boys "stole" the tune. But that's not the end of the story. Apparently Brian Wilson's father handed over the copyright to Surfin USA to Berry. And on the Tonight show Berry himself dismissed the stolen aspect, saying it was just borrowed.

The issue was settled amicably, but not after some time had passed and Chuck Berry sued them. Anyway, it doesn't matter to me, I just think it's fun playing with the lyrics.

[Ulysses]

OK, yeah the Beach Boys "stole" the tune. But that's not the end of the story. Apparently Brian Wilson's father handed over the copyright to Surfin USA to Berry. And on the Tonight show Berry himself dismissed the stolen aspect, saying it was just borrowed.

The issue was settled amicably, but not after some time had passed and Chuck Berry sued them. Anyway, it doesn't matter to me, I just think it's fun playing with the lyrics.

Yes, but you used the term "blatant ripoff" to describe the action.

Here is the generally accepted meaning of the term "ripoff":

https://www.dictionary.com/browse/rip--off

noun Slang.
an act or instance of ripping off another or others; a theft, cheat, or swindle.
exploitation, especially of those who cannot prevent or counter it.
a copy or imitation.
a person who rips off another or others; thief or swindler.

Now I think we can all agree that "ripoff" carries rather negative connotations, especially when it's termed a "blatant ripoff".

It also is not quite true that Berry sued the Beach Boys. From what I can glean from the internet, Berry's lawyers threatened to sue, but as both you and I say, the issue was settled amicably. Probably more amicably than issues of much less import are settled here on BRD, LOL.

[O Really]

You're mistaken on several levels, but I'm not going to join the Quixote tour. Wha-tever.

[O Really]

I've commented from time to time on things that used to be in music or pop culture that would no longer be acceptable. Probably "one more for my lady, one more for the road" wouldn't make it now. Neither would "Hot for Teacher," I'm guessing. And there used to be a lot of songs about underage girls. F'rinstance:
"We were barely 17 and we were barely dressed."
"She was just 17, you know what I mean..."
"young and sweet, only 17..."
"Sixteen Candles"
"You are 16 going on 17..."
"You're 16, you're beautiful, and you're mine."
"Sweet Little 16"
"Book marking, she's so close now -This girl is half his age" (Don't Stand so Close to Me)

And some younger males:
"I'm so young and you're so old..." (Diana)
"You led me away from home - Just to save you from being alone" (Maggie May)

And probably many more...

[Vrede too]

I've commented from time to time on things that used to be in music or pop culture that would no longer be acceptable. Probably "one more for my lady, one more for the road" wouldn't make it now. Neither would "Hot for Teacher," I'm guessing. And there used to be a lot of songs about underage girls. F'rinstance:
"We were barely 17 and we were barely dressed."
"She was just 17, you know what I mean..."
"young and sweet, only 17..."
"Sixteen Candles"
"You are 16 going on 17..."
"You're 16, you're beautiful, and you're mine."
"Sweet Little 16"
"Book marking, she's so close now -This girl is half his age" (Don't Stand so Close to Me)

And some younger males:
"I'm so young and you're so old..." (Diana)
"You led me away from home - Just to save you from being alone" (Maggie May)

And probably many more...

Maybe not the first one since it's "WE were barely 17 and WE were barely dressed."

Otoh, kiddie porn is now available to anyone with internet, essentially "legally" with a Tor Browser.

Anyhow, are you expressing regret, lech?

[O Really]

Maybe not the first one since it's "WE were barely 17 and WE were barely dressed."

Otoh, kiddie porn is now available to anyone with internet, essentially "legally" with a Tor Browser.

Anyhow, are you expressing regret, lech?

Maybe Meat Loaf and the fictional Karla were legal, but playing "Dashboard Light" after Meat Loaf left the building prompted the thought.
I think maybe it's more that a lot of the old songs were just written for more of a teenage audience than now. Or teenagers now are just older. What do I know? I'm a geezer.

[Vrede too]

Maybe Meat Loaf and the fictional Karla were legal, but playing "Dashboard Light" after Meat Loaf left the building prompted the thought.
I think maybe it's more that a lot of the old songs were just written for more of a teenage audience than now. Or teenagers now are just older. What do I know? I'm a geezer.

No, I think you're correct that the other songs intentionally glorified adult (mostly) male fantasies of jailbait exploitation. That's somewhat less acceptable now to be open about, but the underlying lechery may still be as bad or worse.

[Ulysses]

I suppose you could always drive to Nevada.

[O Really]

Maybe Meat Loaf and the fictional Karla were legal, but playing "Dashboard Light" after Meat Loaf left the building prompted the thought.
I think maybe it's more that a lot of the old songs were just written for more of a teenage audience than now. Or teenagers now are just older. What do I know? I'm a geezer.

No, I think you're correct that the other songs intentionally glorified adult (mostly) male fantasies of jailbait exploitation. That's somewhat less acceptable now to be open about, but the underlying lechery may still be as bad or worse.

Well, we know there's a lot of teacher-student activity - certainly more than I ever knew about even though I had one French teacher who certainly could have "abused" me any time she wanted. But it's not so publicly lauded as "Hot for Teacher" or "Don't Stand So Close to Me". At least the Police presents as something that must remain secretive. Most of the bubble-pop songs don't make it clear exactly how old the male is, but certainly do imply a difference. I don't remember who did the original "you're 16, you're beautiful," but the Ringo version was a bit icky as he was 30ish at the time.
"You're my baby, you're my pet
We fell in love on the night we met
You touched my hand, my heart went pop
Ooh, when we kissed I could not stop"

[Ulysses]

The point being that in about 32 of the 50 states, it's legal to marry a girl as young as 16. Yeah, marry. You dirty old men.

[GoCubsGo]

The point being that in about 32 of the 50 states, it's legal to marry a girl as young as 16. Yeah, marry. You dirty old men.

With parental consent.

[O Really]

The point being that in about 32 of the 50 states, it's legal to marry a girl as young as 16. Yeah, marry. You dirty old men.

You're mistaken.

[O Really]

Interesting too that while the jail-baity lyrics might be unacceptable now, there is much more explicit sexuality and fuck words. I remember when people realized that the Who had included a "who the fuck are you" in "Who Are You" and some stations weren't playing it. I think Drake can get in 'fuck" at at rate of one every 10 seconds or so.