You're Pitiful

[Whatinthe27]

I am nearly positive (99.9%) that Al will be able to include it in his setlist without any problems. After all, in other instances where he has written parodies that didn't end up on the ALbums (e.g. Free Delivery), he's put them into his Setlist. I don't the exact reasons, but I think that profited distribution of a recording would entitle those legal royalties to the other artist, but at an assembeled gathering where the a live recording is performed, I don't think an artist can expect royalties out of it...on the other hand, there are situations such as playing an exact cover of another song at a live performance would entitle the artist to such royalties...but I am not sure if that is one of these situations...actually, now I'm unsure...  hahaha. Anyone else have any clue?

It's my understanding that musicians belong to an organization that they pay fees to. (ascaap?) As long as they pay into it they are paying for the rights to perform the songs live of other artists who are members of the same. So if you're in a cover band, I believe you are required to pay this fee legally. But as long as you pay it you don't need personal permission from any specific artist, you get it as soon as you pay for it.

[scottidog]

Just listening to this little ditty again. Sigh...

So, did anyone else notice that the genre is "Power Balad" Has Al ever done a Power Ballad before?

[algonacchick]

I don't remember where else it was pointed out, but someone else did notice it was a power ballad. Of course, it was also pointed out that You're Beautiful really isn't a power ballad. But, to answer your question, no, I don't think Al has ever done a power ballad. *Think "Every Rose Has It's Thorn"* Now that's a power ballad.

[Gumby]

Folks the whole mystery surrounding this song has been revealed. Check the Yank Blog at http://www.yankovic.org/blog or http://www.al-oholicsanonymous.com/alcurrent.html
for all the details.

[algonacchick]

Wow. Thanks, Marty, for posting it in here. Thanks also to Happy Steve for finding the article in the first place. It's nice to hear back from Al himself about all of this. We sorta knew a little about this already, but more light has been shed with this article.

[Microwaved_Head]

I'm glad we've finally heard what Al has to say on this matter, and that it's all confirmed. Still, pretty disapointed about James Blunt's record company- you'd think they'd at least respect their own artist's wishes.

[Insert Coin(s) to Continue]

Ok, I'm starting to create some internet hostility against Atlantic Records as an example for them and any other arist that you can't deny "Weird Al" Yankovic permission to do a parody. Atlantic Records is Pitiful

[weird_el]

"I have a long-standing history of respecting artists' wishes," Yankovic writes. "So if James Blunt himself were objecting, I wouldn't even offer my parody for free on my Web site. But since it's a bunch of suits -- who are actually going against their own artist's wishes -- I have absolutely no problem with it."

This is one of the many reasons I like and respect Al as much as I do.

[algonacchick]

Exactly. When I saw that in there, that just reconfirmed what a class act Al is. Of course, I always knew that, but that statement really does stand out, and gives people an idea of how Al does things.

[Squirrelygirl]

You go Alfie! Stick it to the man (or "suit" as the case may be).


"Power to the Pipples" as Zorro the Gay Blade would have said.