Happy Birthday To You (All)

On 22nd September 2015, US Judge George King ruled that the original copyright to Happy Birthday was invalid and the song would now be entirely in the public domain. 

The tune was originally composed 1893 by Mildred and Patty Hill, two sisters from Kentucky, and titled Good Morning To All. This subsequently evolved into the song that you, me, pretty much the whole world has been singing ever since.

The copyright was filed in 1935, and obtained by the Clayton F. Summy Co. from the sisters,; the company was succeeded by Birch Tree Group, which claimed the copyright. 

In 1988, Warner/Chappell acquired the copyright for $15 million when it bought the Birch Tree Group, and had been collecting fees on the song since then. In 2015, revenue was estimated at $2 million a year (approx. £1.95 million today), from charging every time Happy Birthday was used in a film, television episode, advertisement or other public performance.

In 2013, documentary filmmaker Jennifer Nelson filed a putative class action suit against Warner/Chappell, in the name of her production company Good Morning To You Productions. Warner/Chappell had asked for $1,500 (roughly £1,520 in 2025) for the right to use Happy Birthday To You in a documentary that she was making about the song and its history. 

A week later, a further suit Rupa Marya v. Warner Chappell Music Inc was filed by Rupa Marya and Robert Siegel, and subsequently the two suits were combined, arguing that Happy Birthday was in the public domain and should not be subject to copyright fees.

Ultimately, Judge King ruled that the original copyright was only granted for the melody, and the rights to piano arrangements based on the melody, not the song itself. In other words, the Clayton F. Summy Co. had never acquired copyright to the song's words.

At the time of the ruling, Happy Birthday remained in copyright in the European Union, but happily this expired on 1st January 2017 and is now fully in the public domain.

All of which seems a good excuse to wish this varied bunch a Happy Birthday, sharing a special day with the date of this landmark legal victory.

Toni Basil (82)

David Coverdale (74)

Vudi aka Mark Pankler (73)

Richard Fairbrass (72)

Doug Wimbish (69)

Nick Cave (68)

Andrea Boccelli (67)

Joan Jett (67)

Billie Piper (43)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Bob Hoskins Inspired Compilation Of Crime Fuelled Carnage

I rarely do requests but in an effort to assuage George's disappointment following Friday's post, here's a Bob Hoskins inspired compilation of crime fuelled carnage.

A 13-song, 46-minute trawl through Bob's formidable film and television CV, with namesake songs from some heavyweight artists. 

A few notable omissions, however. I was unable to find any songs named after Who Framed Roger Rabbit? or Super Mario Brothers. 

I also left off A Prayer For The Dying for three reasons:

1) I only had one song in my collection and that was by Seal;

2) The lead actor, Mickey Rourke, has been getting more screen time in the past week than he deserves;

3) The film is utter shite.

Whilst at least one of Bob's films name checked here is a classic crime drama, at least one is arguably a crime that it was ever committed to celluloid. I'll leave you to decide which is which. 

1) Mona Lisa: Grant Lee Phillips (2004)

2) Brazil: Lloyd Cole (2003)

3) Play For Today (Black Sand Extension): The Cure (2010)

4) Kate (Cover of 'You Put Me Here (Sure as Your Name’s Kate)' by Rex Allen): Johnny Cash (1972)

5) Performance: Japan (1978)

6) Hook (4-Track Demo): PJ Harvey (1992)

7) Shoulder To Shoulder: Pete Wylie (1987)

8) Outlaw: Alan Vega (1981)

9) Thick As Thieves: The Jam (1979)

10) Last Orders (Live @ Electric Circus, Manchester): The Fall (1977) 

11) Full House: Kate Bush (1978)

12) Inner Circle: The Frowning Clouds (2014)

13) Mermaids: Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds (2013)

1972: A Thing Called Love: 4

1978: Adolescent Sex: 5

1978: Lionheart: 11

1978: Short Circuit: Live At The Electric Circus: 10

1979: Setting Sons: 9

1981: Collision Drive: 8

1987: Sinful: 7

1993: 4-Track Demos: 6

2003: Music In A Foreign Language: 2

2004: Virginia Creeper: 1

2010: Extensions Volume 1: A Collection Of New Wave Remixes By Black Sand (bootleg MP3): 3

2013: Push The Sky Away: 13

2014: Legalize Everything: 12

A Bob Hoskins Inspired Compilation Of Crime Fuelled Carnage (46:20) (KF) (Mega)

Paris, Fucking Paris!

The chance of my getting to see Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds live in concert sits somewhere between winning the Lotto and scoring a UK #1 with a reggae cover version of the Splodgenessabounds classic Two Pints Of Lager And A Packet Of Crisps Please!

 

Thank goodness for ARTE Concert, who have just posted a full show from The Wild God tour, performed at the Accor Arena in Paris on Sunday 17th November 2024.

Wow. Just wow.

1) Frogs 00:35 2) Wild God 05:21 3) Song Of The Lake 11:33 4) O Children 17:05 5) Jubilee Street 24:11 6) From Her To Eternity 32:43 7) Long Dark Night 41:55 8) Cinnamon Horses 47:50

9) Tupelo 54:40 10) Conversion 1:04:35 11) Bright Horses 1:12:38 12) Joy 1:18:41 13) I Need You 1:25:57 14) Carnage (Cover of Nick Cave & Warren Ellis) 1:30:44

15) Final Rescue Attempt 1:36:17 16) Red Right Hand 1:41:36 17) The Mercy Seat 1:50:07 18) White Elephant (Cover of Nick Cave & Warren Ellis) 1:56:27

[Encore]

19) O Wow O Wow (How Wonderful She Is) 2:06:34 20) Papa Wont Leave You, Henry 2:11:19 21) The Weeping Song 2:18:15 22) Into My Arms 2:25:31

1984: From Her To Eternity: 6

1985: The Firstborn Is Dead: 9

1988: Tender Prey: 17

1990: The Good Son: 21

1992: Henry's Dream: 20

1994: Let Love In: 16

1997: The Boatman's Call: 22

2004: Abattoir Blues / The Lyre Of Orpheus: 4

2013: Push The Sky Away: 5

2016: Skeleton Tree: 13

2019: Ghosteen: 11

2021: Carnage: 14, 18

2024: Wild God: 1, 2, 3, 7, 8, 10, 12, 15, 19

Versions Galore

Side 1 of a cover versions cassette compilation, recorded 26th November 1999.

Preparing for the end of the millennium party with a mixtape of songs transformed or tortured by (then) contemporary. Who would have thought a quarter of a century on, many of these artists would still be recording and touring?

I recorded a trio of CD-Rs titled Hokey Karaoke for my friend Stuart in 2008 and posted the first of these on here in 2022. Only two duplications with this track list, one of them being the closer to this side by My Bloody Valentine which,, coincidentally, opens up the companion collection.

Great to be reminded of these songs, especially that superb O.M.D. bassline, Republica's OTT take on Gary Numan and what an awesome live act Senser were.

 

1) Waiting For The Man (Single Version): O.M.D. vs. The Velvet Underground (1980)

2) Stepping Stone (Ghost Dance Mix By Terry Farley & Mr. Suggs): The Farm vs. The Monkees (1991)

3) (Don't Fear) The Reaper (Single Version): Apollo 440 vs. Blue Öyster Cult (1995)

4) Children Of The Revolution (7" Mix): Baby Ford vs. T. Rex (1989)

5) Looking Down The Barrel Of A Gun (Live @ Reading Festival): Senser vs. Beastie Boys (1993)

6) Hanging Around (Album Version By Tony Visconti): Hazel O'Connor vs. The Stranglers (1981)

7) Sexual Healing: Anita Lane ft. Mick Harvey & Barry Adamson vs. Marvin Gaye (1993)

8) Jacky (7" Version By Trevor Horn & Brian Malouf): Marc Almond vs. Jacques Brel / Scott Walker (1991)

9) Something's Gotten Hold Of My Heart: Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds vs. Gene Pitney (1986)

10) Are 'Friends' Electric?: Republica vs. Tubeway Army (1997)

11) We Have All The Time In The World: My Bloody Valentine vs. Louis Armstrong (1993)

1980: Messages EP: 1

1981: Cover Plus: 6

1986: Kicking Against The Pricks: 9

1989: Children Of The Revolution EP: 4

1991: Stepping Stone EP: 2

1991: Tenement Symphony: 8

1993: Dirty Pearl: 7

1993: Peace Together: 11

1994: Age Of Panic EP: 5

1995: (Don't Fear) The Reaper EP: 3

1997: Random: 10

 

Side One (47:20) (GD) (M)

You can find Hokey Karaoke (Volume One) here

#Colours Top 20 (Second Shade)

The second half of the (E)x-Twitter 'countdown' that I've participated in for the past 20 days, featuring songs, artists or lyrics featuring a colour.

As with the first ten, I've stuck with just song titles throughout, with my second round up coming in at one second under 40 minutes.

 

I also continued with my 'method' (I use the term loosely) of trying to make sure that the subsequent colour complemented the one that had preceded it. This limiting my choice of songs each time but hopefully provided for some interesting segues from, say, Cathal Coughlan to Peaches. 

 

I only did one swap throughout the entire run. My original pick for #17 was Coral Moon by John Cale from his 1973 album, Helen Of Troy. Realising that the pick would coincide with International Women's Day, I replaced it with A Coral Room by Kate Bush, which on reflection I think was a better choice and made for a good segue from Echo & The Bunnymen.

 

This late change also meant that I was able to find another (complementary) John Cale song and tweet it on the following day, which also happened to be his 82nd birthday. Win win, I'd say.

 

The final song of the 20 wouldn't have appeared at all had it not been for Ernie Goggins' end of year round up over at 27 Leggies back in December 2022, a reminder of how much music I discover thanks to you lovely people out there in the blogosphere. And in my opinion, it's a great way to wrap up what has been a fun series to participate in.

 

11) Into The White (Single Version): Pixies (1989)

12) Lime Tree Arbour (Album Version): Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds (1997)

13) Tangerine: Cathal Coughlan (2022)

14) I Feel Cream (Album Version): Peaches (2009)

15) Silverblade (Single Version): The Jesus & Mary Chain (1990)

16) Turquoise Days: Echo & The Bunnymen (1981)

17) A Coral Room: Kate Bush (2005)

18) Bamboo Floor ("Slow Dazzle" Session Outtake): John Cale (1975)

19) Olive Avenue: Port Sulphur ft. Jay Stansfield (2018)

20) Golden Spoon Maroon: Yasus Afari (2021) 

 

1981: Heaven Up Here: 6

1989: Here Comes Your Man EP: 1 

1990: Rollercoaster EP: 5 

1996: The Island Years: 8

1997: The Boatman's Call: 2

2005: Aerial: 7

2009: I Feel Cream: 4 

2018: Paranoic Critical: 9

2022: E.P. Of Co-Aklan EP: 3

2022: Golden Spoon Maroon: 10

 

Second Shade (39:59) (KF) (Mega)

Karaoke Kings

Side 2 of a mixtape, which I think was compiled around late 1996, possibly early 1997.

 

Time to usher the weekend with a few bottles of cheap Becks, salt & vinegar crisps, ripped seats, sticky carpets and the landlord's obsessive collection of novelty bottle openers glued to the upper skirt of the bar. Yes, it's Friday and it's karaoke time at your local spit 'n' sawdust bar.

1) Downtown (Album Version): The Justified Ancients Of Mu Mu vs. Petula Clark (1988)

2) You Keep Me Hanging On (12" Version): Colourbox vs. The Supremes (1985)

3) She (Disco Mix): Vegas vs. Charles Aznavour (1992)

4) Brass In Pocket: Suede vs. The Pretenders (1992)

5) Lost In Music (Single Version): The Fall vs. Sister Sledge (1993)

6) The Slider: Gavin Friday vs. T. Rex (1995)

7) That's The Way (I Like It) (Extended Version By Zeus B. Held): Dead Or Alive vs. KC & The Sunshine Band (1984)

8) Black Betty: Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds vs. Leadbelly (1986)

9) Zoom: The Boo Radleys vs. Fat Larry's Band (1994)

10) Emma: The Sisters Of Mercy vs. Hot Chocolate (1988)

11) California Dreamin': American Music Club vs. The Mamas & The Papas (1994)

 

1984: That's The Way (I Like It) EP: 7

1985: The Moon Is Blue EP: 2 

1986: The Singer EP: 8

1988: Dominion EP: 10

1988: Shag Times: 1 

1992: Ruby Trax: The NME's Roaring Forty: 4

1992: She EP: 3

1993: Why Are People Grudgeful? EP: 5

1994: Barney (...And Me) EP: 9 

1994: Can You Help Me EP: 11

1995: Shag Tobacco: 6

Side Two (46:01) (Box) (Mega)

The Song Yearned To Be Sung

Continuing the loose theme of selections from music magazine freebies, today's spotlight is Nick Cave and friends, mostly the Bad Seeds. Spanning four decades, one third cover versions, two thirds original compositions, the strength of the songs belie the random selection process. 

The Ballad Of Robert Moore And Betty Coltrane was an immediate pick for opening song, one of my favourite Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds songs, yet a mere B-side of Where The Wild Roses Grow, when originally released in 1995.

 

The earliest recording here, following The Birthday Party's split, is a cover of I Put A Spell On You, originally by Screamin' Jay Hawkins. Credited to Nick Cave & The Cavemen, the latter comprising Mick Harvey, Blixa Bargeld, Hugo Race and Barry Adamson. The song appeared on Department Of Enjoyment, a cover-mounted cassette with New Musical Express, released in May 1984, by which time the band had been renamed Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds.

 

I must have bought the Best of 2019 issues of both Mojo and Uncut that year, which explains the inclusion of two tracks from Ghosteen; I considered only including one of them, but I couldn't choose between Leviathan and Spinning Song, so they both made the final tracklist. I also had two versions of Jubilee Street to choose from, and opted for the live in concert over the original studio recording. 

 

Peaky Blinders theme Red Right Hand unsurprisingly popped up on two magazine promo CDs (and I'm sure many, many more over the years). Ubiquitous though it may be, I never tire of hearing the song. 

 

There are a couple of rarities: One Autumn is Cave reading an extract from his novel And The Ass Saw The Angel; this version is from Gigantic!, a cassette giveaway with Melody Maker, but also featured on a 4-track bonus 12" with limited quantities of the Tender Prey album. Likewise, Needle Boy featured on various limited edition formats of 2013 album Push The Sky Away, although my copy comes from The Mojo Anthology, a 15-track CD to celebrate Mojo's 300th issue in 2018.

 

Nick Cave's collaborations with Warren Ellis outside of The Bad Seeds get a couple of look ins. One highlights their growing body of soundtrack work, in this case from 2006 film The Proposition, for which Cave also wrote the screenplay. The second and most recent song is from their 2021 album Carnage, which I confess I've not yet heard. What can I say? There was a hell of a lot of good albums last year which swallowed up my music buying budget...!

As with the choice of opener, the closing song was also inevitable: what else but The Mercy Seat? Here it's the Seven Inch Version aka Video Version and was handpicked by Idles for their Acts Of Resistance compilation for Mojo magazine last year. In a nod to the couple of Johnny Cash cover versions included here, the Man In Black repaid the tribute with an equally stirring version of The Mercy Seat in 2000, which turned out to be one of the finest moments in his career. 

Having sequenced this selection from a loose theme/connection, what immediately struck me was how well Cave's decades-spanning body of work hangs together. It prompts the question: is it possible to collate a duff Nick Cave compilation? I'm not sure it is.

This one's for Stuart.

 

1) The Ballad Of Robert Moore And Betty Coltrane: Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds (1995)

2) The Singer (Cover of 'The Folk Singer' by Johnny Cash): Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds (1986)

3) Avalanche (Cover of Leonard Cohen): Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds (1984) 

4) Clean Hands, Dirty Hands (Cover of traditional song): Nick Cave & Warren Ellis (2006)

5) One Autumn: Nick Cave (1988)

6) Needle Boy: Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds (2013)

7) The Ship Song (Live @ The Royal Albert Hall, London): Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds (1997)

8) Galleon Ship (Live @ Alexandra Palace, London): Nick Cave (2020) 

9) I Put A Spell On You (Cover of Screamin' Jay Hawkins): Nick Cave & The Cavemen (1984) 

10) Wanted Man (Cover of Johnny Cash): Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds (1985) 

11) Rye Whiskey (Cover of traditional song): Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds 

12) Leviathan: Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds (2019) 

13) White Elephant: Nick Cave & Warren Ellis (2021) 

14) Spinning Song: Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds (2019)

15) Red Right Hand (Single Version): Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds (1994) 

16) Jubilee Street (Live @ Royal Arena, Copenhagen): Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds (2017) 

17) The Mercy Seat (Seven Inch Version): Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds (1988)

1984: Department Of Enjoyment: 9

1984: From Her To Eternity: 3 

1985: The Firstborn Is Dead: 10

1986: Kicking Against The Pricks: 2

1988: The Mercy Seat EP: 17

1988: Tender Prey / And The Ass Saw The Angel EP (ltd LP & 12"): 5

1989: Rye Whiskey (promo flexi 7"): 11

1994: Red Right Hand EP: 15

1995: Where The Wild Roses Grow EP: 1

1998: The Best Of Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds/Live At The Royal Albert Hall (ltd 2x CD): 7

2006: The Proposition OST: 4 

2013: Push The Sky Away (Super Deluxe Box Set): 6

2018: Distant Sky: Live In Copenhagen EP: 16

2019: Ghosteen: 12, 14

2020: Idiot Prayer: Nick Cave Alone At Alexandra Palace: 8

2021: Carnage: 13

Melody Maker: 5

Mojo: 2, 3, 6, 8, 10, 12, 13, 16, 17

NME: 9, 15

Reflex (USA): 11

Select: 7

Uncut: 4, 14

Vox: 1, 15

The Song Yearned To Be Sung (1:15:52)