Targett Media

Oh Michael. What have you done, now?

First, I’m not even going to mention the horrifying accusations and alleged behavior with children. I can’t even stand to type it. Second, I will overlook the plastic surgery madness since he can’t seem to overcome his childhood issues with his father. But now, he has gone too far.

Sony/ATV Music has just announced that the Beatles’ back catalogue is now available for commercial licensing.  All you need is Luvs? Are you kidding me? This is wrong on so many levels it is difficult to rant as completely in depth as I would like. But, it’s my blog so let me start.

1. Paul trusted him and gave him solid advice in the mid 80’s that Michael should diversify and look into investing in music publishing. But for god sakes he didn’t mean the Beatles. Now even Michael has erased Paul’s writing credit from The Girl is Mine. That’s fine since the song is horrid but the precedence remains.

2. Michael’s “legal troubles” put him in a position to mortgage his interest in the Beatles’ catalogue of publishing rights thereby allowing Sony/ATV to do what for profit corporations are allowed to do, namely try to leverage their best assets for income. I understand Sony’s right to do it. I cannot overlook Michael’s culpability in the matter.

3. In the late 80’s and early 90’s when Nike tried to use Revolution and Michael made mention of optioning the Beatles’ music for the same purpose there was a tremendous outcry against it and a $15 MM lawsuit from the Beatles ended the practice at that time. We are right back to the same scenario that was adjudicated then.

4. Even though the Beatles were pretty serious capitalists they never intended the music to be used in this context. Don’t believe me? Ask them. Every step of the way they have fought the outside forces urging them to consider the opportunity.

5. My biggest argument outside of the Beatles’ interest is one of creativity. There are too many good songwriters in the marketplace today who should be creating for this medium. We don’t need to cheapen music from artists who don’t want their music used in this way.

I love the Oscar Meyer wiener song, don’t you? You can sing it just as well as I can. Mr. Bubble? Another great tune with lasting memories. I could go on forever. And many on the other side can produce stunning examples of existing pop music that was used properly to great effect. But the deck is stacked on the side of artists who have had no say in the commercial use of their work and it really needs to stop. Please remember to support your local tunester…they want the work. And their musical brethren have earned the right to choose their own endorsements.