Just for tonight (Hilary covers Luv Ya by Launched)

[launched]

Mark says OK to cover so all good I say!!

That's what I say, too - Put it back, I want to hear it!

[launched]

I don't want to come off as attacking you, I hold no copyright on most of my posts and anyone can cover or steal anything they wish and I accept that risk, but I certainly hope if someone was going to use large chunks of my writing in there own songs, they might ask first. If you did , please accept my apologies.
As always,
Rock On!

I hold no copyrights either - And thanks for sticking up for me, bro! I guess around here I've always had a "Go ahead and play around with my stuff" implication. But with heavy hat I'll have to say you make valid points that I agree with, and it takes a big man to express his position the way you have, especially on a feel good site such as this one.

That being said, regardess of right or not, you have not barked up the wrong tree with me Haylie. You have my permission to do whatever you wish with whatever I've posted here. I'm flattered that I provided a small shred of inspiration for you, and I'd love to hear what you have created using your valuable time!

[Hilary]

I've sent it to you Mark - I won't be reposting it on here.

[Hook]

You know, I do feel bad for coming across as dick, but I do stand by my initial post.

I've been a songwriter now for over 20 years and I take the craft pretty seriously. I try to follow the same guidelines that all professional writers would be held up to. This wouldn't have been an issue to me if it had been a collaboration but that was not the way it was posted. I am sorry to have made you uncomfortable or just plain angry, perhaps I should have just kept quiet but it's too late now!
I do hope I haven't rocked the boat too terribly much, but as I am fond of saying...
Rock on!

[Hilary]

Well quite frankly I'm shocked and upset by Hook's reaction to my/our song. I can't post this sort of cover on the original board because it's not original and can't post them on the cover board because it's not, apparently, a cover either. I don't want to repost the song because I really don't want to get into another debate, as I got upset over the last one (something along the lines of maybe this isn't the right forum for you - as in me - but I don't want to drag all that up again).

There are a couple of points which Hook made that I will specifically address:

. . . but this seems pretty close to plagiarism. Your honest about it but I'm not sure that makes it alright.

As far as I'm aware Plagiarism - to steal and pass off (the ideas or words of another) as one's own - I would never do this.

The best part of your hybrid/country/cover tune was your chorus, you should have written your own verses.

This relates to my 'cover' By the Time I get to Phoenix - I don't try and tell you what and how to write your songs, why should you feel it's ok to do so to me - on open forum, unsolicited.

------

I hold my hands up and admit in hindsight I should have sent the file to Mark first, or asked permission to use a section for my song but as I said it was an honest mistake as there was the ok to cover icon and it's not a parody, just my take on Mark's song.

There have been lots of very varied covers on this board and to my knowledge no-one else has been critised in their interpretation. The real kicker in all this is that my husband hates my covers - it's killing me to think that he may be right.

[Hook]

I do understand you being upset Haylie and I am sorry for that. To respond to your points...

Of course there is a place to post this song, it's an original collaboration that you wrote with launched, simple. My issue is in 2 back to back posts by you, you admit to "cherry picking" other writers lyrics and that's just not ethically right. In your "...Phoenix"  post you didn't even acknowledge who's verses you used or what band you were "covering", but were clear to state you wrote the chorus,that's really when I initially thought plagiarism, perhaps in retrospect that might be a bit harsh...I don't know. I liked your song and didn't know the original, with Marks tune it happened again and was a little closer to home, so I spoke up.

When you post your songs/recordings on an open, discussion forum you are essentially soliciting responses, sorry that it's not what you want hear.  If you just want to just showcase your songs use a website.

I can't really recall any covers I've heard here where someone has totally re-written the music (could be though), that's not a cover it's a collaboration.

I do try to maintain the positive, uplifting attitude I've always experienced here and if you look through your posts I think you will find many honest and encouraging posts from me as well as many others. In fact I liked what you did in both of these recordings, I just don't think it's right to just pick and choose through other writers lyrics. I'm sure I wouldn't have said anything if it hadn't happened twice, as writers and people, I think we should hold ourselves to certain standards.

Finally this was never an attack on you personally or on your talent and ability, which you have both. This was solely a comment on your methods in these particular cases. Spouses aren't often the best soundboard, if there smart they like everything, but in there defense, they do have to hear us take after take, often without the benefit of hearing whats in the headphones and perhaps they become a bit dulled or put off by the time we play them the finished product.

Again Haylie, my point was never to ostracize you and I do apologize for hurting your feelings, not my intention.

Rock On!

[Hilary]

I completely understand about the Mark situation and have apologised to him.

As far as By the Time I Get to Phoenix is concerned, I just don't get it. I followed the song faithfully (albeit using my own chords) melody and lyrics (bar a human error in the last verse) and added my own chorus as the song didn't seem to have one. It was a mash-up and people do it all the time. I was very open about what I did - if you don't like it, don't listen.

Probably one of my favorites from you, that chorus is quite good.
Rock On!

your comment to the said song at the time to the posting - crikey if that's your favourite the others must suck real bad.

Anyway. if I did rewrite the melody as long as I'm open and honest and don't try to pass if off my own lyrics I don't think it is unethical - people do it all the time - a rap group have just done their own thing with Supercalifragalistic. Granted I didn't ask permission from the writers but I'm not planning on releasing it as a single or even performing it outside of my own home, it's just for fun. I do take your point about not crediting the writers in my posting and will rectify that.

[Hilary]

I just don't think it's right to just pick and choose through other writers lyrics. I'm sure I wouldn't have said anything if it hadn't happened twice, as writers and people, I think we should hold ourselves to certain standards.

Sorry just wanted to address this point - there are many parodies on this site where the melody is the same as the original but new comedic lyrics have been added. Have these parodies been subject to the same critisicism? Would the writers approve of the new parody? In my opinion there is no difference between switching up the lyrics and keeping the music, or vice versa. At least my 'covers' are in the spirit of the originals in my opinion and I am recording them because I genuinely love the songs and have connected with them. Just because it's different, doesn't make it wrong or unethical. (A songcrafter original is an entirely different matter as I have ample opportunity to discuss my plans for their song with them personally and I have already addressed this.)

Final point - it's all good Hook. If I am doing something wrong I would far rather be told than carry on in ignorance and I take on board some of the points you made.