Question? Does anyone know....

**aneaglesangel** · June 17th, 2009

...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** · June 17th, 2009

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** · June 17th, 2009

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** · June 17th, 2009

Originally Posted by 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.

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

Greeedy, greedy people...

**aneaglesangel** · June 17th, 2009

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** · June 17th, 2009

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** · June 17th, 2009

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** · June 17th, 2009

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** · June 18th, 2009

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** · June 18th, 2009

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...