For this week's blog post, I was very excited to see that the topic of the week is related to music. I love music and I work at one of the largest concert venues in the state, the Delta Center. So I am always around music and I love working in the industry as well. For this week one of the topics that stood out to me the most is musical ascription. According to Sellnow’s description, musical ascription is imitating a musical sound that appeals to a particular target audience.
When I was going through all of the other examples of different artists that have the same sound, or almost the exact same tune in their songs I thought of one example that I have seen online a ton lately. I want to start by saying I am a huge Zach Bryan and Taylor Swift fan, I love both of their music. But there are a lot of people that are saying that Zach Bryan is stealing/ copying some Taylor Swift songs. The most apparent one to me being “Should’ve Said No” by Swift, and “Let You Down” by Bryan. There is a very apparent similarity between the two songs, and Swift's song was published first. There is so much debate in the music industry about using parts of other people's songs, or using their melodies. Swift is known to sue other artists who are clearly copying her, but nothing has come about from the Swift/Bryan songs quite yet. It is so interesting to know more about the background of this topic in music. Can you think of any other artists and songs that are similar enough, that the artist they copied from might want to get legally involved?
Here are the links to the 3 song comparisons:
https://www.tiktok.com/@carissa.vvy/video/7435419647811341610
https://www.tiktok.com/@carissa.vvy/video/7435448917455621419
https://www.tiktok.com/@carissa.vvy/video/7435544035672001835
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ReplyDeleteThank you for your post! I enjoyed your post and how it relates to one of the readings for the week, Culture Jamming or a culture jammed? RiP!: A Remix Manifesto.
ReplyDeleteIndeed, I know there are many songs out there that seem almost identical to another previous song. To answer your question: Talk Dirty - Jason Derulo and Worth It - Fifth Harmony. Just one of many I came across.
Gaylor's manifesto (2009), which is discussed in the reading, illustrates how there is the need to build off of the past so that culture can improve, grow, expand, and ultimately evolve. As was pointed out in the reading, artists need to draw on the past so that our culture can thrive. I do understand an original artist wanting their work to be protected, certainly. But there is great generosity of spirit in allowing your art, your work, your knowledge base, and your unique experiences to inspire and help others who come later grow and flourish. I guess herein lies the great debate.
Maybe it is because I am a senior over 60 and am facing the reality of end of life, leaving the earth, and leaving my mark. I personally would feel honored if someone starting out was inspired by an original "work" or idea of mine as they drew upon it to create something a little different, but similar. Just my two cents.