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Hey Guys,I am debating whether to submit a track that is a chill/downtempo take on "Ave Maria" (the catholic prayer) for a New Age listing that asks for "Universal Lyrics".My guess is that the latin lyrics ("Ave Maria, Gratia Plena, Dominus Tecum") won't qualify as universal ... But what do you think? I know that "Maria" as a name is bad news for a TV/Film use, but I wonder if the context of the latin prayer makes a difference, as the song is not really talking about a person named Maria but rather just quoting the prayer.Thank you so much for your help!Best,Dirk

you know, I think I'd just call TAXI and ask if it fits the listing.

Hey, Thanks for the reply!I missed the boat on calling TAXI (Happy Thanksgiving ), but I have a pretty strong feeling that the prayer-type lyrics of "Ave Maria" don't qualify as "universal".I'll still give TAXI a call and run the question by them, just for future reference ...Thanks again!

Hi Dirk,I'll save you the call:-) Here's my take.Somebody once told me, "If you have to ask, you probably know the answer." Generally true, though not always.I DO see why this one COULD be a tough call, as one screener could view Ave Maria as universally known around the world (or the Universe), another might have an issue with the name Maria, yet another might have an issue with the lyric not being sung in English. They could all be right, and they could all be wrong. One screener might forward it and have the publisher shaking her head. Another might return it, only to have a publisher pick it up for something less specific down the road. If we take a chance we look like idiots to the publisher, and if we don't, we look like idiots to the member.In the end, it's a fairly high risk bet. If they asked for universal lyrics, give them lyrics that are clearly universal. Hope this helps.Michael

Hey Michael,Thanks! Yes, that did save me the call ... Another nugget of wisdom I brought home from the Rally this year is to submit more "carefully" ... and the idea certainly helped in this case.Thanks again!Best,Dirk