"'The First Time' by Roberta Flack" does convey the idea that Roberta Flack wrote the song, not just that she had the biggest hit record with it.

Yeah, it's annoying. I think, though, if I were Mr. McColl or Ms. Seeger, I'd put up with the annoyance, assuming that the publisher of Ms. Flack's recording got the copyright clearance and paid the appropriate royalties.

I'm reminded of a line attributed to Bill Monroe, after Elvis recorded "Blue Moon of Kentucky." Mr. Monroe had written it as a swingy waltz, but Elvis put it in straight time and sang it as a rocker. Someone interviewing Mr. Monroe asked him what he thought of Elvis's version, knowing that Mr. Monroe was a proud man and protective of his music, and expecting some outrage.

Mr. Monroe was supposed to have answered only: "Those were powerful royalties...POWERFUL royalties."

Peter.