V

Let's see now...with the word ass the song is "fantastic." Without the word ass the song is "worthless."

What was the question again???

Music is meant to be enjoyed live.
If this one is, you have done what we all hope to.
Enjoy.
Graham


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http://www.soundclick.com/bands/2/grahamhenderson_music.htm

Lots of songs use swear words. In fact it used to be a great way to get free marketing from the PMRC to ban the song or CD so that it would sell more.

It really depends on whether you're using the word just for the sake of using it, or if it really drives the point home. There is a difference.

Jody

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Music That Makes Your Soul Happy!
www.jodywhitesides.com

I don't see anything in the opening ask referint ot cometitions Greg.
And when pointing songs toward any artist, it is important to be able to have a pretty good idea what they can and will handle, by way of knowing what they have already done.
Offering a naughty word song to a band you know will not do them, would not only be pointless for that song, but could damage your chances of getting themj to look at any further offering you may hope they will look at.
Know your market always applies.
Something that regularly gets to an audience, will rarely be just an open mike song I would think.
As Jody says. If the word used is chosen for its value to the song, and not just as a shock tactic, makes a big differance to its aceptance.
Graham

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http://www.soundclick.com/bands/2/grahamhenderson_music.htm

Can we get a look at the song?

My song "All American" uses ass in the chorus and it's only there because it works with the song. I wouldn't mind changing it but I don't know what else would work.

"Red-neck white-ass, Levi-blue.
All American thru & thru.
Red-neck white-ass, Levi-blue.
All American how about you!"

this is a tough call, i think it depends on how its being used. The way you describe it,you use the word repeatly which may kill air play. If its the only way the song will work, then let it be. theres been more than one song that has had questionable lyrics and still made a buck.

Hi Gregg, I think your "lazy ass" works fine no pun intended....Sue

Go for it spaceman!
Hank Jr also used ass in one of his songs.
Hell,we all have one.
It isn't like you are talking about the unmentionables.
David Allen Coe made a pretty good living off of cuss words and worse in his earleir music.
Works for me!
Jerry

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Jerry Jakala

I think this is an absolute essential use of the word 'ass'.

They can always muddle it for 'free-radio'.

Maybe u will lose that Walmart distribution deal.

One can hope!

Love it!

Anna
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http://www.withouttheblonde.com
http://www.myspace.com/annatutor

after reading the lyrics gpsongwriter, I got up off my ass...lol. I see no problem with it.....but im not a industry axe man either

My quibble is that you snitched a famous Eagles line: "Take it to the limit [one more] time." You might have more trouble getting away with that.

I'd have to change it if *I* sang it at an open-mike... but that's just me I've heard a lot worse than that played over the radio.

Linda




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Linda Adams
Read excerpts of my novels here:
http://www.alyssastory.com
Bits & Pieces of music:
http://www.soundclick.com/lindaadams

yep. That is a stick out line, which sort of blows the rest for me.
Bit ike Johnny Cash using Shot a man just to watch im die thing which is a bend of a Huddy leadbetter song from way back.
They are just words thougfh after all.
Graham


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http://www.soundclick.com/bands/2/grahamhenderson_music.htm

We have expletives in a wide number of genres. They're just words and we'd never pass over a song simply because there was a "swear" word. Now if people use gratuitous expletives that don't work creatively or musically or are simply indulgent we'd pass on it. When dealing with radio you have FCC rules they have to follow regardless of artistic merit. For our awards, we don't have to worry about that nonsense. The only reason most of these words are "bad" is because they are banned. Once they free and open most people will stop using them or find a new swear word. I never understood how one of the "7" bad words can be so evil but other expletives screamed in anger or hatred (such as "Gosh Darn It") are okay. It's about as stupid as stupid can be.

We got a lot of Gangsta Rap this year with expletives. If they were used as matter of fact language in context we accepted it. If it was gratuitous and lame, we nuked it. Use of F**K for not good reason is as lame as a country song with the line "the sky is blue and I love you..." We have a song nominated this year which is almost entirely bleeps expletives. It's so over the top that it becomes funny and even though the artist self censored it, it works. There's also a lyric in the finals that's about copyrighting the word F**K. That also works. But if it was just the use of the word for not artistic purpose.. then it would be wrong. Make any sense?

Brian

It is very interesting this would come up at this time. Last week I was eating with a friend and she commented on how she hates the phrase "smart ass."

Then this weekend I heard a Kenny Chesney interview and a guy asked about his concerts being suitable for all ages. I don't much about Kenny Chesney but he seems a pretty decent person. Of course, there would be a lot here who would argue whether swearing is "decent" or not. Kenny said the reason swearing doesn't show up in his concerts is because he just doesn't do it much in his life offstage.

Then I come across this question in this newsgroup. Interesting.

Sugarland just had "Down in Mississippi" and the word "ass" appeared several times. Years ago on a John Conlee album the Tom Schuyler lyric something like "how can you be in politics if you can't stand a horse's ass?" It was a well written lyric in a song called "Acres of pain."

I myself don't like words that raise the eyebrows of less caustic people or words that cause the rowdies to hoot and holler. I love a lot of yall don't like it but that's me. Most times you can find other words to express the idea. Or you can take the easy way out. Most times.

There lies the crux of the matter.
Write in the style of the subject.
look at Erskine Caldwell and John Stiembeck novels for great examples of getting into the mood of things.
If the subject would say smart ass.
Or the song is aimed at an audience that would say it, go for it.
Graham

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http://www.soundclick.com/bands/2/grahamhenderson_music.htm

Oh--definitely--you can't copyright a title. That's my understanding anyway. (Trademark, maybe, copyright, no)

I was only concerned about confusion, or just re-using a VERY well-known line.
No copyright problems there. I didn't mean to imply any. Don't worry. If it doesn't sound the same then great!

Linda



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Linda Adams
Read excerpts of my novels here:
http://www.alyssastory.com
Bits & pieces of music:
www.soundclick.com/lindaadams