Song 'Ownership'

Subject: RE: Song 'Ownership'
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 18 Sep 02 - 10:53 PM

Thanks, Sandy. My version is a little bit of Lonnie Donnegan, a verse from Dave and a rhythm that just came out, and must be me... :-)

Jerry

Subject: RE: Song 'Ownership'
From: curmudgeon
Date: 19 Sep 02 - 01:10 PM

Many thanks for your input Sandy. I do think you sorted out some of the confusion. Perhaps I should have used the term song "stewardship" instead.

Anyone else have any thoughts or comments?

Thanks -- Tom

Subject: RE: Song 'Ownership'
From: Uncle_DaveO
Date: 19 Sep 02 - 01:44 PM

If "ownership" is the criterion, then a song I wrote would be mine; right?

Actually, if at a folk club or on Paltalk someone sang a version of, for instance, my Starbucks Song, I'd be pleased as the very old devil, assuming they didn't make a hash of it. If they changed it in some respect, but still doing a nice job, that's fine. I'd really appreciate if they mentioned my name in connection with the song, of course.

Dave Oesterreich

Subject: RE: Song 'Ownership'
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 19 Sep 02 - 01:54 PM

Dave: I think we share the same sense of "ownership" of songs we've written. I think that there's a difference between creating a song and owning it (in the non-copyright sense of the word.) Songs are like your kids... you do as much as you can to shape them into something you think is positive, and then you have to let them go. If I hear someone doing one of my songs where they've changed it, it doesn't bother me unless I think they're just too lazy to sit down and learn the words. I put a lot of care into choosing words, so I expect others to put as much care into changing them. If they do, I may or may not like the change, but I don't have a problem with someone doing it. Songs are like kids... once they are released out into the world, they're on their own. I would never use the word "own" in regard to songs I've written. I definitely would never use the word for songs that are in the tradition, or written by someone still living. Just give me my propers.... and then take the song and make it your own, until someone else takes it and makes it their own. Just be willing to let it go.

Jerry

Subject: RE: Song 'Ownership'
From: wysiwyg
Date: 22 Sep 02 - 06:17 PM

I see "song ownership" not as a limitation on what I can do-- I see it as a higher form of cooperation between peers, where everyone wins. In the end, it means more songs are sung. Whahoo!

Around here, anyone who is jamming with anyone else can be assumed to be working up the piece in question for an upcoming gig, and it's a small community. There is no need to pre-empt what someone else hopes to use as a major piece in coming weeks. For example, Pete Peterson's new band "Well Tempered String Band" is coming here for a CD release party I'm organizing, and they sent me the new CD to start the promo process. Well I'm madly in love with at least one of their pieces, but I sure won't be using it till they've been here and premiered it. Maybe in a year I will be comfortable using it myself. Then, it will be my turn, my privilege, to say how and from whom I learned it. Tho I am dying to sing it tonight, it will be even sweeter to me to sing it once I've heard it from them, live, on a lovely evening with rapt-faced friends sighing along with me.

My priority, when I sing, is transmitting a wonderful song. If people have already heard it, of course it's nice to evoke whatever memory of it they may have... but I'd rather present them with something new and wonderful, that they can make their own as they drive home, or sing along with a recording of it like we all have done.

I think one of the great things friends can do for one another is pass along a song we spot, if we think it would be a great song for them.... I've swapped a few that way, and always been glad to have been thought of in that way.

I draw a distinction though between songs for perfomance sets and songs for singalongs, because we are doing both now. From this same CD, I will use the gospel pieces in area church services I play for, as soon as I think I have them learned well enough to do in our own style, tho perhaps not right away with the group that will hear the band.

~Susan

Subject: RE: Song 'Ownership'
From: Leadfingers
Date: 22 Sep 02 - 07:27 PM

I know writers who have heard their songs done by other people,and for the most part are just happy to have it out in the world.Its a bit off,tho,when my mate sang one of his own songs and was buttonholed by someone who told him he'd got the tune wrong.He was flattered that one of 'his' songs was so public domain,but the plonker who got the tune wrong wants his backside kicking for being so insensitive.Its like telling some one a traditional song they do is wrong,when there are so many variants. Look at how many times Child collected the same song from different people with so many variations of lyric or tune. The Folk Process is all very well,but if a song is published,I think you should have a very good reason for NOT getting it right.

Subject: RE: Song 'Ownership'
From: Bert
Date: 22 Sep 02 - 08:03 PM

Hey WYSIMELUV, That is worth repeating...

My priority, when I sing, is transmitting a wonderful song. If people have already heard it, of course it's nice to evoke whatever memory of it they may have... but I'd rather present them with something new and wonderful, that they can make their own as they drive home, or sing along with a recording of it like we all have done.

My sentiments exactly, of course not every song that I sing is necessarily wonderful. But I do think that a big part of the fun of singing is introducing songs that people may not have heard before. I hope some of them get remembered.

Subject: RE: Song 'Ownership'
From: wysiwyg
Date: 22 Sep 02 - 11:00 PM

Bert. I am just now starting to sing the songs I fell in love with 20 years ago or more. People DO remember the songs, no worries about that!

When will I get your CD so I can learn some of yours?

~Susan