Re: Original Artists' Response
Posted: Sat Jul 18, 2015 9:12 pm
Most likely the music publishing company that own the publishing rights to the song. For example, although Alan Merrill wrote "I Love Rock n Roll" the song is actually owned by RAK Music Publishing in London (RAK Records was Arrows record label) Alan wasn't asked either, the man who had a nominal co-writer credit, Jake Hooker, gave the green light anyway and introduced Al to Rick Derringeranthontherun wrote:Dave Pirner of Soul Asylum:Pirner is the only writer credited, so I wonder who Al contacted about permission if it wasn't him.Songfacts: The song "Misery" was one that Weird Al had parodied. And I'm assuming that you have a good sense of humor and you probably thought it was a bit of an honor to be parodied by Weird Al.
Dave: Yeah. I heard Coolio got pissed off. But I also heard that you had to give Al permission. I don't know why I'm not calling him Weird Al. Now I'm just calling him Al. But I don't ever remember being asked.
When we got signed to Twin Tone Records, the local label in Minneapolis, I was like, "This is it, I've made it. It's the big time, baby. You've done it." And I never had that feeling again until Weird Al covered my song. It felt like, Wow, I have arrived. It's the perfect way of describing my sense of humor. Yes, I was very honored.