Three Stegosaurus Moon

I just found out that the Flaming Lips’ song “Fight Test” from Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots has the same vocal melody and chord progression as Cat Stevens’ “Father and Son”. It’s crazy how these things work. I love the Lips song, and I never knew that it was, in a sense, bitten from Cat Stevens. The crazy thing is that it doesn’t make me think any less of it hearing the crazy similarities between the two. But then again, it wasn’t really stolen at all. It’s only the way the industry works these days that would make you think that it was. Regardless of whether or not Wayne Coyne heard the Cat Stevens song and decided to copy it, it’s still not really stealing if it’s a melody and chord progression. If you speak a sentence, you don’t have the rights to that sentence in any context other than the one you used it in, if that. (in my imaginary word where people collect royalties on things they say). If people want to say the same sentence as you did earlier, they totally can. I think it’s really the same with music. The Lips took the melody amd progression that were purportedly Stevens’ and recontextualized them. They made a new work that happened to include something similar to a previously composed piece. And that’s ok with me, because both songs are great.

Also, you are awesome. Not just because you’re reading this, but you just are. You are a wonderful person and I thank you for being so great. People need to realize how awesome you truly are. I realized today that this is totally true: for me, you, and everybody. I’m not saying we should all go around being narcissistic jerks, but it is great to realize that you yourself are the man (or lady), and that you are worth getting to know/befriending/coworking/whatever. Or so I’ve heard.

This is a site I read somewhat regularly on how to be extra-manly.

Carry on.