Can you use proper names in songs?

[jchitty]

I seem to recall reading a thread a while back concerning the fact that TAXI isn't too keen on fowarding songs whose lyrics contain names. I may have read that post incorrectly, but that's what I gathered. One of my best songs concerns a man and his wife, and my lyrics contain their names. They are not any people that I know personally, just someone I invented of course. I named them a very common surname, the name of Jones. Does anyone know the legalities surrounding a song like mine?

[davewalton]

Quote:I seem to recall reading a thread a while back concerning the fact that TAXI isn't too keen on fowarding songs whose lyrics contain names. I may have read that post incorrectly, but that's what I gathered. One of my best songs concerns a man and his wife, and my lyrics contain their names. They are not any people that I know personally, just someone I invented of course. I named them a very common surname, the name of Jones. Does anyone know the legalities surrounding a song like mine? I think that the "no proper names" thing we've seen in the Taxi listings and posts here on the forum primarily have to do with music targeted for film and television, either directly or through music libraries. The main reason for that is because music is always used with or behind a scene. Unless the characters in the show or scene happen to be named the same as the characters appearing in the song, well, the song doesn't work.At the Taxi rally, one of the music library owners mentioned in a small gathering that he has a standing rule where he doesn't accept any song with a proper name. He said it's just too hard to place something so specific. Apparently in the world of film/television/commercials, generic is pretty much the rule of the day.HTH,Dave

[jchitty]

Hey, thanks for the info, Dave....much appreciated.

[lbeaird]

I've been trying to think of songs with proper names in them, and I've come up with two so far. Taylor Swift currently has a song on the charts called Tim McGraw, and Kenny Rogers had a song titled Rueben James. I bet there are more, I just can't think of them right now.Best wishes,Larryhttp://www.beairdmusicgroup.com

[edteja]

A Boy Named SueJohn Wesley HardingPoke Salad AnnieMother MacreeAidaJesseI Dream of JeannieDida.....

[Casey H]

I think most folks here already know this but here goes anyway. Performing artists who write their own songs can use proper names or write pretty much whatever they want. Those of us pitching songs to other artists or for film/TV don't have that luxury. Obviously, a film would have a hard time using a song with lyrics about "Ann" who lives in Boston in a scene (unless they were VERY lucky and there really was a film with an "Ann" in Boston! LOL).When doing song pitches to artists, the artist would have to be comfortable singing about the proper names mentioned, also a slim chance. Now, one could argue that if the artist or their management loved a song but wanted to change the proper name(s) in it, they would simply ask to do that. It's not impossible, depending on the strength of you relationship with the person you are pitching to. But with so much material to choose from, it only takes one minor thing wrong for the song to get rejected.BTW, I wrote a lot of songs with proper names early on, not knowing what I was doing. My song, "What a World" was originally "Marcie". I had the song re-done with the name taken out. It ended up being my best song by far. So, if you have songs like that, think about how you could edit the lyrics so as not to have the proper names. Both are on my broadjam site, with "Marcie" being down toward the end of the list as a live acoustic done by a friend at a gig. Casey

[jchitty]

Quote:I've been trying to think of songs with proper names in them, and I've come up with two so far. Taylor Swift currently has a song on the charts called Tim McGraw, and Kenny Rogers had a song titled Rueben James. I bet there are more, I just can't think of them right now.Best wishes,Larryhttp://www.beairdmusicgroup.comThanks for the info, Larry. I always worried about the legal aspect of this all, so I'm feeling better about having my 'proper name song' demoed now. In about a month or so, I'm gonna send my rough demo to you and Beaird Music....I'm hoping you can put that Alison Krauss feel on it for me....I'm betting you can. It's a very bluegrassy type song. I completely forgot about Taylor Swift's "Tim McGraw"....that's one of my favorite new songs...go figure.

[jchitty]

Quote:I think most folks here already know this but here goes anyway. Performing artists who write their own songs can use proper names or write pretty much whatever they want. Those of us pitching songs to other artists or for film/TV don't have that luxury. Obviously, a film would have a hard time using a song with lyrics about "Ann" who lives in Boston in a scene (unless they were VERY lucky and there really was a film with an "Ann" in Boston! LOL).When doing song pitches to artists, the artist would have to be comfortable singing about the proper names mentioned, also a slim chance. Now, one could argue that if the artist or their management loved a song but wanted to change the proper name(s) in it, they would simply ask to do that. It's not impossible, depending on the strength of you relationship with the person you are pitching to. But with so much material to choose from, it only takes one minor thing wrong for the song to get rejected.BTW, I wrote a lot of songs with proper names early on, not knowing what I was doing. My song, "What a World" was originally "Marcie". I had the song re-done with the name taken out. It ended up being my best song by far. So, if you have songs like that, think about how you could edit the lyrics so as not to have the proper names. Both are on my broadjam site, with "Marcie" being down toward the end of the list as a live acoustic done by a friend at a gig. CaseyThanks for the detailed info, Casey. In my case, this is one of my best songs.... and it just wouldn't have the punch without the proper names in it. I like your point about 'being able to change the names if you had to'....maybe if a publishing company or artist does like the song, we could toss around ideas on how to change those names and still keep the song intact, and we could work our way around it. I do realize that it makes it easier to pitch without the proper names, less hassle all the way around, but in this case, the song would be diluted. My friends and family love this song. I'll just go with it as it is now, this is the song they are begging me to demo. That being said, I really don't know if anyone will be interested in it...it may end up being one of those songs that you do because family and friends really love it....makes a good early Christmas prez if nothing else. BTW, I've heard some of your songs....the speakers on my computer are broken, but my husband brought home his laptop with speakers home one day and I listened to it. I remember really liking a song you did about 'being single' or something like that. Forgot the title, but I thought it was a great song! I listened to it about two weeks ago, and I wanted to listen to it again, but never got the chance. One day, I'm getting a new computer...for now, my money gets spent on demoes.Oh, and Traveling Ed, thanks for reminding me how old I am with that list of yours.

[Casey H]

JchittyThanks for the nice words. The song is called "Painfully Single". As far as the song with a proper name, as long as you understand the risk if you spend money on a demo BTW, can I hear it? Is it posted somewhere?Music people always warn new songwriters not to put too much stock in what family and friends think of your song. Unbiased professional opinions are best. Of course, if you are doing something for the sheer pleasure of it for yourself, your family, and your friends regardless of commercial potential, then just go have a blast! I have a song which is based on a proper name and I don't think I will ever change it. I've decided to have it re-demo'd this year anyway, but I am doing it for ME because I love it and it is a very special song to me. No illusions of commercial success with it...All the best, Casey

[nomiyah]

Michelle Ma Belle - BeatlesHey Jude - BeatlesSuzanne - Leonard CohenMs. Jackson - OutkastMrs. Robinson - Paul SimonOh Mandy - Barry Manilow