Reply to: Blurred Lines

[SueEllen]

I'm going to avoid doing that, as it would probably lead to me having to listen to some of their 'work'.

I seem to remember Radiohead's 'Creep' was had up for stealing a bit of a chord progression (and the humming bit in the middle kinda had a pop at the melody as well) from 'Nights in white Satin' and if I remember rightly, they lost 100% of songwriting royalties but I can think of two other songs straight off the top of my head that use the same change and I'm sure there must be more. There's only so many progressions of chords (in key) from the combinations available. They've all been used 100s of times.

If you are going to be "inspired" by other artists now make sure they are on the same record label as you and are European based.

[TestMangler]

Exactly if you take it to the 'feel' of a song a lot of artists will be going to court. Most 60s/70s rock bands were like magpies some sailing closer to the wind than others... Just search on Led Zeppelin and plagiarism for example

I'm going to avoid doing that, as it would probably lead to me having to listen to some of their 'work'.

I seem to remember Radiohead's 'Creep' was had up for stealing a bit of a chord progression (and the humming bit in the middle kinda had a pop at the melody as well) from 'Nights in white Satin' and if I remember rightly, they lost 100% of songwriting royalties but I can think of two other songs straight off the top of my head that use the same change and I'm sure there must be more. There's only so many progressions of chords (in key) from the combinations available. They've all been used 100s of times.

[ZARDOZ]

OK, there are similarities, but how many songs are based on the C/Am/F(or Dm7)/G7 chord progression ? (Not that this song does, but could you say that 'Price tag' by Jessie J was ripped off from 'Unchained Melody' ? Must be literally thousands. How many songs share drum patterns ? How many times has the 'Good times' bassline been ripped identically ? Neil Sedaka, openly admitted to ripping 'Oh carol' off from another song, and just made slightly more full on rock'n'roll, Nazareth clearly ripped 'Razamanaz' from a Deep Purple song. I'm sure you could apply the same principles to thousands of songs and conclude that they were taken from previous works.

Exactly if you take it to the 'feel' of a song a lot of artists will be going to court. Most 60s/70s rock bands were like magpies some sailing closer to the wind than others... Just search on Led Zeppelin and plagiarism for example

[TestMangler]

Have a read of this which technically dissects the two songs
Did Robin Thicke steal ‘Blurred Lines’ from Marvin Gaye?

OK, there are similarities, but how many songs are based on the C/Am/F(or Dm7)/G7 chord progression ? (Not that this song does, but could you say that 'Price tag' by Jessie J was ripped off from 'Unchained Melody' ? Must be literally thousands. How many songs share drum patterns ? How many times has the 'Good times' bassline been ripped identically ? Neil Sedaka, openly admitted to ripping 'Oh carol' off from another song, and just made slightly more full on rock'n'roll, Nazareth clearly ripped 'Razamanaz' from a Deep Purple song. I'm sure you could apply the same principles to thousands of songs and conclude that they were taken from previous works.

[ZARDOZ]

I can't believe they actually tried to argue the song, in part, was not directly lifted from the 'original'.

Blurred Lines verdict: How influence was ruled as stealing - BBC Newsbeat

Suppose that is karma for having really dodgy lyrics.

Have a read of this which technically dissects the two songs
Did Robin Thicke steal ‘Blurred Lines’ from Marvin Gaye?

[TestMangler]

I have my artistic integrity to think of Anyway, most of those millions have now been paid to someone else

Ah, the old artistic integrity That's what's stopping me writing a world wide rapey pop hit too

I think he got left with a few million in change after settlement, so not a bad result.

[darmstadt]

Would you not like to write some tulip that netted you several million pounds ?

I have my artistic integrity to think of Anyway, most of those millions have now been paid to someone else

[MicrosoftBob]

Hmm... it'd take a twisted mind to jump to that conclusion.

[SpontaneousOrder]

I know you won't consent, so here have some drugs so you won't be lucid enough to consent

Lets get rapey!

Hmm... it'd take a twisted mind to jump to that conclusion.

[TestMangler]

Put it another way, its ******* tulip whether its rapey or not...

Would you not like to write some tulip that netted you several million pounds ?

[MicrosoftBob]

Baby can you breathe? I got this from Jamaica
It always works for me, Dakota to Decatur, uh huh
No more pretending
Hey, hey, hey
Cause now you winning
Hey, hey, hey
Here's our beginning

I know you won't consent, so here have some drugs so you won't be lucid enough to consent

Lets get rapey!

[darmstadt]

Put it another way, its ******* tulip whether its rapey or not...

[SpontaneousOrder]

Here it is, all laid out:

If you can't hear what I'm trying to say
If you can't read from the same page
Maybe I'm going deaf,
Maybe I'm going blind
Maybe I'm out of my mind

// I'm trying to show that I desire you, and i'm not sure you're receiving the message. it's driving me crazy.

[Pre-chorus: Robin Thicke]
OK now he was close, tried to domesticate you
But you're an animal, baby, it's in your nature
Just let me liberate you
Hey, hey, hey
You don't need no papers
Hey, hey, hey
That man is not your maker

// You're with some guy, but he's too boring for you. You don't have to settle, he doesn't own you. You can choose me instead.

[Chorus: Robin Thicke]
And that's why I'm gon' take a good girl
I know you want it
I know you want it
I know you want it
You're a good girl
Can't let it get past me
You're far from plastic
Talk about getting blasted
I hate these blurred lines
I know you want it
I know you want it
I know you want it
But you're a good girl
The way you grab me
Must wanna get nasty
Go ahead, get at me

// You're a good girl, but I know you are more attracted to me - I can tell by the way you flirt with me. I hate this blurred line between 'good girl' propriety, and the lust you harbour.
I need to make sure I don't miss the opportunity...

[Verse 2: Robin Thicke]
What do they make dreams for
When you got them jeans on
What do we need steam for
You the hottest bitch in this place
I feel so lucky
Hey, hey, hey
You wanna hug me
Hey, hey, hey
What rhymes with hug me?
Hey, hey, hey

// You're super-hot and you're clearly into me. This tacit relationship we're experienceing is stroking my ego.

...repeated...

...repeated...

...repeated...

[Verse 3: T.I.]
One thing I ask of you
Let me be the one you back that ass to
Go, from Malibu, to Paris, boo
Yeah, I had a bitch, but she ain't bad as you
So hit me up when you pass through
I'll give you something big enough to tear your ass in two
Swag on, even when you dress casual
I mean it's almost unbearable

// Please choose me. You're awesome, even when you're casual, and if you want to hook up I've got a big nob which I think you'll appreciate.

In a hundred years not dare, would I
Pull a Pharside let you pass me by

// I can't pussy out and miss my chance, like Pharside ('Passin' me by'):

Now there she goes again, the dopest Ethiopian
And now the world around me be gets moving in slow motion when
When-ever she happens to walk by - why does the apple of my eye
Overlook and disregard my feelings no matter how much I try?
Wait, no, I did not really pursue my little princess with persistence
And I was so low-key that she was unaware of my existence
From a distance I desired, secretly admired her
Wired her a letter to get her, and it went
My dear, my dear, my dear, you do not know me but I know you very well
Now let me tell you about the feelings I have for you
When I try or make some sort of attempt, I symp
Damn I wish I wasn't such a wimp
Cause then I would let you know that I love you so
And if I was your man then I would be true
The only lying I would do is in the bed with you
Then I signed sincerely, the one who loves you dearly, PS Love Me Tender
The letter came back three days later: Return to Sender, damn

Nothing like your last guy, he too square for you
He don't smack that ass and pull your hair like that
So I just watch and wait for you to salute
But you didn't pick
Not many women can refuse this pimpin'
I'm a nice guy, but don't get it if you get with me (i think this is supposed to say don't get confused - you're getting it)

// I know your current bloke is boring and you like it a bit 50-shades. Women usually throw themselves at me but you are resisting so I'm making my intentions clear and waiting for you to signal back.
Don't get me wrong - I am a good bloke, but if we hook up I will smash your back doors in like you want me to.




[

Pre-chorus: Robin Thicke]
Baby can you breathe? I got this from Jamaica
It always works for me, Dakota to Decatur, uh huh
No more pretending
Hey, hey, hey
Cause now you winning
Hey, hey, hey
Here's our beginning

// Yay. It's on. I predict a happy ending.

...repeated stuff...

[minestrone]

So you take single sentences, devoid of any context, and conclude that they are rapey because some rapists said them once? Ignoring ofcourse that people say those thinkgs all of the time - without doing any raping?

Re the absurd content in the link provided -
There are several studies that show that a very large percentage of women often say 'no' when they mean 'yes'. It's a token effort to pass responsibility onto the man.
'You know you want it' is part of the process - after which the woman can either consent or not. But one typically has to play the game in order to get there in the first place, whether that is in the form of words like 'you know you want it' or something typically much subtler. Ofcourse this is a song - so words if pretty much par for the course.

'you're a good girl' - again it's a song... she's not necessarily technically available (of she were to be a 'good girl'). He wants her to be a 'bad' girl so they can hook up.
Again - it's her choice. It's not about him being a 'bad man' - he has no say in the matter. He wants her to let her 'good girl' facade slip and give into the desire he thinks she harbours towards him.

The song lyrics clearly point out that he desires the woman and and needs to do the peacocking in order to get here - as she has all of the power.

The only way to interpret this as rapey is to cherry pick lyrics out of context and speculate on some potential underlying meaning. People who do that kind of think are seeking outrage for it's own sake. I can only speculate as to why people need to do this, but I have my own ideas.

I bet you still listen to Gary Glitter on vinyl.

[SueEllen]

Give him an explanation. You know he wants it. Fnar Fnar.

To be fair Microsoft Bob has explained it nicely.