The Vinyl Community's Mazzy's new "Cease & Desist" YouTube video.
Norman Maslov (Mazzy) has developed quite a following amongst the Vinyl Community, with a subscriber base of over 5,000. And with good reason: He has a nice LP and CD music library, a good knowledge of the music the discs contain and the artists responsible, and is himself an interesting, entertaining fella. For a good time, check them out.
His newest video was made in honor of the current political situation in The U.S.A., and concerns the use of songs by a guy who will very soon be leaving his current residence (though he and many of his "slower" fans have yet to accept that fact). In the video, Mazzy cites a number of songs this individual and his minions have used at rallies, etc., songs for which the copywrite holders have issued to the individual Cease & Desist orders. They include the following:
- The Beatles: "Here Comes The Sun" (written by George Harrison). McCartney suggested an alternative: "Beware Of Darkness" (on a GH solo album). Funny, ay? ;-)
- Bruce Springsteen: "Born In The U.S.A.". Used by Ronald Reagan as well, who also didn’t "get" the lyrics.
- Creedence Clearwater Revival: "Fortunate Son". Ironic, hmm?
- Elton John: "Rocket Man".
- Prince: "Purple Rain".
- The Rolling Stones: "You Can’t Always Get What You Want".
- Tom Petty: "I Won’t Back Down". Yeah, we know.
- REM: "It’s The End Of The World As We Know It". Fortunately, not as much so as a second term would have meant.
- Phil Collins: "In The Air Tonight".
- The Village People: "Macho Man".
After that, Mazzy offers a selection of alternative songs, ones with titles more appropriate to said individual:
- The Beatles: "I’m A Loser".
- Neil Innes (The Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band, The Rutles): "How Sweet To Be An Idiot". Harsh ;-)
- The Knickerbockers: "Lies". A great song, by the way.
- The Smiths: "Big Mouth Strikes Again", "Unlovable", and "Half A Person". The latter being in this context generous.
- Dan Hicks: "How Can I Miss You When You Won’t Go Away", "Cheaters Don’t Win".
- John Lennon: "How Do You Sleep At Night?" (Answer: On the big pile of money he swindled his "marks" out of), "Crippled Inside", and "Gimme Some Truth" (don’t hold your breathe).
- Bob Dylan: "Neighborhood Bully".
- The Kinks: "He’s Evil".
- And finally and most fittingly: Julie London: "Adios".
Feel free to offer your own nominations!
