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No, I don’t mean that Lemonheads singer Evan Dando is suing GM for forcing him to write the song. I mean that Dando is taking the zombie automaker to federal court for violating his copyright on The Lemonheads song “It’s a Shame About Ray.” Dando’s lawsuit alleges that the dirge was re-recorded and included in a 2008 series of TV campaign for Chevrolet and Buick—without paying him bupkis. It’s a strange time to sue GM for anything, as chances are that any damages would be buried with the “old” GM, leaving New GM to walk away humming something a lot more cheerful. [original questionable recording replaced with ad in question]
16 Comments on “Lemonheads Singer Sues GM For “It’s A Shame About Ray”...”
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Exactly. A year ago, one lawyer would have called another lawyer and said: “What does it take for it to go away?” “Five big ones?” “How about two?” “Ok, let’s settle at 3 and let’s call it a day. You write it up or me?”
These days, he’s fighting the government. And the Bad GM.
I think they have to sue the bankrupt Old GM. The New GM didn’t steal the song, but if the Lemonheads play their cards right and are on the correct political contribution list they may end up with an 9% ownership in the new GM by decree of the dictator and the puppet auto czar, with of course a corresponding reduction in the ownership of the “secured” bondholders from 10% to 1%. May as well give that 1% to the UAW too because they made phone calls for Obama last year.
He’s just trying to reignite his career.
Evan who?
Song sucks. If anyone buys that shit he whould be glad with what ever he gets.
“I’ll take “Too Little, Too Late” for $300 Alex”
–chuck
It IS his song, and among other things it is how he supports himself and makes a living. If it was plagiarized he has a right to sue for monetary damages AND SHOULD GET THEM. If you think the song sucks, then pass that opinion to the “good” or “bad” GM, where this trouble started, as apparently somebody there thought it might be good enough to use on the cheap.
I think GM should sue the Lemonheads because this horrible song undoubtedly hastened their need to go into bankruptcy.
OMG, this song is just horrible and he should thank GM for using it at all. I think that guy could get a gig for a Home-Depot opening weekend or so…
What, everyone who sings a horrible song now has to pay him because he wrote the mother of all bad songs?
I seriously hate GM, but he is just trying to get MSM attention. He may have an Aztek for royalties. At least that car resembles in the car world what his song is in the song world.
My singing (and probably texting) is horrible and I wihs I could have made school without embarassing music-lessons. but after all I’m not making a living of it.
Anybody have any idea which ad he’s talking about? I did a quick search on You Tube but didn’t hear anything that sounded like it was a rip- off of his song.
Evan Dando needs to put down the crack pipe and write some new music.
Ummm… I dunno if I’d call it horrible— especially when we still have Paris Hilton and Yoko Ono to kick around… but can someone please tell me what in ad GM used this song? Was it somekinda dirge for Oldsmobile??
The song is decent, but you posted a poor version of it. The original studio release was certainly better.
Dando’s lawsuit alleges that the dirge was re-recorded and included in a 2008 series of TV campaign for Chevrolet and Buick
Here’s the Buick ad: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RlTySoV_6po Same melody as the original, but entirely re-recorded using whistling, instead of a vocal. Without the BK, GM would argue in court that the melody is different enough to be unique and not a copyright infringement, but they’d be wrong about that.
The Chevy ad uses the same music. Funny, I didn’t know that they were badge engineering the commercials, too.
[G]M would argue in court that the melody is different enough to be unique and not a copyright infringement, but they’d be wrong about that.
Kinda like Vanilla Ice unleashing his creativity in “Ice Ice Baby”… Man that song was dope!
Guys- The Lemonheads have a new alblum out this month. It’s a Shame about Ray is a great album. I am not relying on the TTAC’s Best and the Brightest for music information.
FYI- Evan Dando’s dad is a retired attorney.
I’ll take cc-rider’s word on what the “Lemonheads” new album sounds like.
As for making a case, good luck. This reorg is going to stiff all the lawsuits pending over defects and dangers with the cars, Evan and his dad can take a number and wait in the outer office.
Yeah, I’m still not hearing it. Maybe in a couple of bars near the beginning, but I also hear shades of “Pleasant Valley Sunday” and “Pennylane” in there as well. I think it’s different enough to pass muster.
Why can’t he sue the ad agencies that created the ads? They’re not bankrupt and surely they know about the need to pay royalties for songs and the like.