I must say, there are some perks to no longer working in radio every day. For example, when Taylor Swift releases a new single, I don’t have to drop everything and find out all about it. But at the risk of turning into that guy who would approach me at a cocktail party and say “Oh, I used to be a RADIO DEEEEJAY” – the story behind Taylor Swift and a borderline sample of Right Said Fred’s “I’m Too Sexy” is an interesting one.
First, if you’re not familiar with the 1990 awesomeness that was I’m Too Sexy, crank this up. Your coworkers will gawk at you, but then probably sing and dance along.
Now, with that in mind, check out Taylor Swift’s Look What You Made Me Do.
If you think there are similarities in the hook, you’re not alone.
Frequently in music, a newer song will “borrow” from an older song, and a legal battle ensues. Now, depending on your level of cynicism, this is either the original artist defending their copyrighted work…or needing money when the royalty well starts to run dry.
A successful example of this: When Marvin Gaye’s family sued Robin Thicke, Pharrell, and TI over their smash hit Blurred Lines. Rolling Stone has a nice post mortem on it.
It’s no secret that Taylor Swift, with her Scrooge McDuck level bank accounts, has the best legal team that money can buy. So before we go accusing her of ripping off the brothers collectively known as Right Said Fred… it turns out that Taylor’s team sought and received permission to borrow from the song in her latest offering.
In the above Rolling Stone article, Right Said Fred won’t disclose what they are getting for royalties off the song and album, but there now seems to me a mutual admiration society between them and Taylor Swift / producer Jack Antonoff. Flowers have been sent, and they hope to meet up. But here’s the best thing to come out of it for us, the listener/viewer.
Right Said Fred has recut “I’m Too Sexy,” as a Mashup with “Look What You Made Me Do.”
Now go enjoy your weekend.