Question? Does anyone know....

[aneaglesangel]

...if I need permission to use the words from Tom Petty's song Running Down a Dream as the introduction to the last part of my book? I tried to find information about this online, but couldn't find anything about it. I was thinking that maybe if I'm lucky enough to get an agent or a publisher they would know, but I'd hate to not be able to use it. If I have to get permission from Tom Petty I might be crap out of luck! I'm sure he wouldn't want to hear from a nobody like me, and even less likely to say it was alright to use it. Now if I was Stephen King.......

[Bev Vincent]

Yes. Not only permission, but the music publishing company might ask for payment to allow you to use the lyrics, even if it's just a line or two.

[Moderator]

And in some cases, that can be a substantial amount. There have been times when Steve has changed his choice of a song because the rights holder was asking way too much for the rights to use the lyrics even when it was only a few lines.

[Srbo]

And in some cases, that can be a substantial amount. There have been times when Steve has changed his choice of a song because the rights holder was asking way too much for the rights to use the lyrics even when it was only a few lines.

Sure, sure, why not rip off good old Steve ? :glare:

Greeedy, greedy people...:sad:

[aneaglesangel]

Aw man! I was afraid of that. I wonder if I'll be able to use it or not. I wanted to give good ole Tom Petty credit for it, but I didn't know it was gonna cost me! I'm a poor starving artist who hasn't even published a book yet, what have I got to give!? You'd think the advertisement for the song would be a good thing! Always about the money though, eh!

Thanks so much guys for your help, I guess I'll have to wait and see what comes of it!

[Butterfly06]

Most likely you would have to get permission from the song writer or label company. The songs are protected under the law from copying with out the explicit consent from the owner of the song. There maybe info on the CD cover.

[SKfan2006]

its bad that you have to pay royalties to use a song in a book or in a theme park but not for anything else.

[Bryan James]

Write your own words. No one can patent an age-old rhythm. It might give you a great sense of completion to your book. It might be the nice red bow to tie the package, lest you keep going back to it and wondering if you should tinker a bit here and there.

You might say I sound a bit like Hannibal Lecter, and indeed I mean to do so, because a great many ungreat writers have ruined readable books by so tinkering.

Write your own "song." Or leave it out. If a whole book lives or dies on an "outro," you're already in trouble. End on a high note (even if Tom Petty's not involved ;P )

Best wishes and good luck,
BJS

[aneaglesangel]

Thanks Bryan! I was actually thinking of leaving it out and changing the name of the last piece. I like your idea. It really wasn't so much having a song for the introduction to the last piece as much as it was the words to it. I'm sort of stewing on the idea at the moment and haven't decided exactly how I'm going to change it, but I have a few different ideas. I think I know which direction I'm probably going and it includes keeping my own money to myself, LOL! I'm sure Tom Petty doesn't need the money of a single mom anyway, so I'll keep it original and all mine! Thanks so much for the advice guys! You're all so helpful! HUGS!

[Srbo]

So, Ms Mod, if it`s not a secret - how much approximetaly did people ask Steve to pay them for the use of their songs and was there ever a "freebie " ?

Did AC/DC charge a lot for the Maximum Overdrive soundtrack and how did that go ? I mean, did Steve ask them to do it, or did they offer it themselves ?

I hope I`m not prying...to much...:smile2:

[Moderator]

Maximum Overdrive was before my time here so I don't know how that worked but but I can't give you specifics of how much was paid in any case. The prices range all over the place from hundreds to thousands to tens of thousands. For the most part, the artists who could probably use the money the most are the ones who say just send me a signed book, we're honored that you'd mention us. Go figure, huh? Not sure if that makes them better people or worse business men/women than the others but in either case, they take a step up on my respect ladder.

[Charms7]

Yes, I believe it is usually the publisher that holds the copyright to a song. But it might be worthwhile to look into it. You have to get permission in writing. The performing rights society might know. Like ASCAP or BMI. Look on the CD label. Don't give up till the fat lady sings! If there's a pun in there, please forgive me.

[aneaglesangel]

That's how I thought things worked in a way, guess I'm a babe in the woods. In my eyes, I thought it was like advertisement for them and that they would be happy that the King wanted to use their songs. Now for me, I'm an unknown nobody so I can see that letting me use their stuff would be iffie. Funny thing I've found is that the people you expect the least to be generous, well, those are the ones that surprise you most times!

[aneaglesangel]

LOL! I made a post already, but then I read the mod's post. It reminded me of this silly dream I had when I was a teenager. I dreamed that AC/DC had broken down in their car in front of my house, (don't ask me what they were doing out in the sticks, but hey, it's a dream right?) and I came out to ask if they needed help. I notice who they are and I'm like, "Oh my God!! It's Angus Young!!" They thought I was so cool for trying to help them out, they had a rock concert in my backyard! It was awesome! (Yup techni-color dreams, all right!) :laugh:

[Kim L.]

LOL! I made a post already, but then I read the mod's post. It reminded me of this silly dream I had when I was a teenager. I dreamed that AC/DC had broken down in their car in front of my house, (don't ask me what they were doing out in the sticks, but hey, it's a dream right?) and I came out to ask if they needed help. I notice who they are and I'm like, "Oh my God!! It's Angus Young!!" They thought I was so cool for trying to help them out, they had a rock concert in my backyard! It was awesome! (Yup techni-color dreams, all right!) :laugh:

Sounds like a good story, aneaglesangel. Why don't you try writing it?

[psj77]

And in some cases, that can be a substantial amount. There have been times when Steve has changed his choice of a song because the rights holder was asking way too much for the rights to use the lyrics even when it was only a few lines.

I hope it's okay to ask this, but what did Mr. King have to pay to use lyrics from the song Hurt in The Dark Tower VII?

[Srbo]

LOL! I made a post already, but then I read the mod's post. It reminded me of this silly dream I had when I was a teenager. I dreamed that AC/DC had broken down in their car in front of my house, (don't ask me what they were doing out in the sticks, but hey, it's a dream right?) and I came out to ask if they needed help. I notice who they are and I'm like, "Oh my God!! It's Angus Young!!" They thought I was so cool for trying to help them out, they had a rock concert in my backyard! It was awesome! (Yup techni-color dreams, all right!) :laugh:

Cool dream.
I dream about them at least twice a year, seriously... I know, I know, Anne Wilkes and stuff, but that`s how it is...:smile2:

Thanks Ms Mod, for the info.

[Moderator]

I hope it's okay to ask this, but what did Mr. King have to pay to use lyrics from the song Hurt in The Dark Tower VII?


You can ask but I can't tell. :zip: :smile2:

[aneaglesangel]

Sounds like a good story, aneaglesangel. Why don't you try writing it?

Oh but I've had other much more innnnteresting dreams! I think I could scare the pants off Stephen himself if I ever wrote some of those.

Hmm, now that I think of it, some of my dreams will be in the book I'm writing now. But those aren't really dreams......

By the way, I changed the name and have cut out Tom Petty's words. We're going all original baybaaay! :cool2: