a used song title

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lesmac
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a used song title

Post by lesmac » Sun Sep 25, 2016 5:28 pm

Any thoughts on writing a song using a title from a song in a completely different genre.

The song that is out there already has over a million You tube views but while its a rock/ hip hop adrenalin track my song will be a country love song.

Lets say for example the title is "life aint a bed of roses" . There is a concept in the title. I don't think I've heard of copyright infringement for a scenario like this.

The lyrics and melody are totally different except for the repetition of the words in the hook.

Thanks.

Lester

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Casey H
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Re: a used song title

Post by Casey H » Sun Sep 25, 2016 6:13 pm

Titles are not copyrighted. There are zillions of songs with the same title out there. So if all you are using is the same title/hook line and everything else is different (melody, chords, lyrics, etc), nothing to worry about.

:D

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lesmac
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Re: a used song title

Post by lesmac » Sun Sep 25, 2016 10:27 pm

Cool, thanks Casey. I kinda thought as much.

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Re: a used song title

Post by DungBeatle » Fri Oct 14, 2016 7:42 am

Some song titles are protected by Copyright if they constitute a large portion of the lyrics. For example:

Everybody's Got Something to Hide Except Me and My Monkey
I've Got Tears in My Ears from Lying on My Back in My Bed While I Cry Over You


But I doubt anyone wants to write a song re-using those titles anyway.
~Bob

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mikeShort
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Re: a used song title

Post by mikeShort » Wed Dec 07, 2016 7:59 am

Dungbeetle, that's exactly right.

I once had a song featured on MP3.com (yeah, dating myself AGAIN!) called I'll Be There. There were 11 songs with that title out there at the same time. Without breaking a sweat, I'll Be There by the Jackson 5, by the Isley Brothers, totally different songs, both hits a long time ago, same title. It's not a issue.
Mike

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