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Song Parodies -> "Fear (In Support of Below Average Dave)"

Original Song Title:

"Fear"

Original Performer:

Easy Going

Parody Song Title:

"Fear (In Support of Below Average Dave)"

Parody Written by:

Dylan Baranski

The Lyrics

Over the weekend, I heard that a fellow parody artist, Below Average Dave, is in trouble with ASCAP (short for American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers). Apparently, they want to collect royalties from him just because some of the songs that he's parodied happened to be performed by artists who are ASCAP members. WTF!? Song parodies are fair use & they know it! I even checked the fair use criteria on Dave's page & checked again in case I missed anything, and I found that Dave's work was compliant with all the criteria.

So why does ASCAP still fight him? I guess it's because they want to strike fear into the population as part of the music industry's overzealous efforts to fight copyright infringement. Now, I haven't visited Dave's site often, but I believe that what ASCAP is doing has crossed the line, and as one of his AmIRight comrades, I feel that I should help him fight this injustice. Anyways, enough of this jibber-jabber, just enjoy the parody.

P.S., In a time like this, it doesn't matter if you don't know the original song. Besides, that's why I provide links to the original songs.
I hear some dudes are uppity,
They want control of parodies,
Why must they make attempts to stir
Up fear?
Fear?

It seems that they do not realize
Songs can freely be satirized,
They just ignored the Supreme Court
And they’ll have fear.
Fear!

They say they fight for artists’ rights,
But they are fighting the wrong fight!
ASCAP is hounding Dave,
They create fear.
Fear!

Dave isn’t doing nothin’ wrong,
He just lampooned a bunch of songs,
But they want royalties,
And also fear.
Fear!

[break]

He needs assistance for his case,
So he can put his works back in place,
We don’t want them to go away
Because of fear!
Fear!

Why must this guy be oppressed
When he’s not being dishonest?
I guess it’s due to money or
It might be fear.
Fear!

Music is his heart & soul,
His hobby would not harm Bob Dole,
It can’t be stopped by those
Who create fear!
Fear!

We hope Dave’s fight is successful,
ASCAP is spewing a bunch of bull,
Their efforts do nothing
But stir up fear!
Fear!

[break]

They can’t control-
They can’t control
The parodies!

They can’t control-
They can’t control
The parodies!

Now, I can understand artists’ rights,
I can’t understand why ASCAP fights,
Song parodies are A-OK,
They don’t stir fear.
Fear!

ASCAP’s touching the wrong nerve,
Dave’s got trouble that’s undeserved,
He will not take their crap
And he won’t have fear!
Fear!

B.A. Dave will not go down!
He will fight back the ASCAP clowns!
But he’ll need legal help
To fight the fear!
Fear!

And as I conclude this parody,
There is a guy that needs you and me,
Give him a helping hand
Against the fear!
Fear!

Fear!
Fear!

Fear!
Fear!

No fear!
Fear!

We don’t need fear!
Fear!

Fear!
Fear!

[break]

They can’t control-
They can’t control
The parodies!

They can’t control-
They can’t control
The parodies!

Your Vote & Comment Counts

The parody authors spend a lot of time writing parodies for the website and they appreciate feedback in the form of votes and comments. Please take some time to leave a comment below about this parody.

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 LittleLots
Matches Pace of
Original Song: 
How Funny: 
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Voting Results

 
Pacing: 4.4
How Funny: 4.4
Overall Rating: 4.4

Total Votes: 9

Voting Breakdown

The following represent how many people voted for each category.

    Pacing How Funny Overall Rating
 1   1
 1
 1
 
 2   0
 0
 0
 
 3   0
 0
 0
 
 4   1
 1
 1
 
 5   7
 7
 7
 

User Comments

Comments are subject to review, and can be removed by the administration of the site at any time and for any reason.

Mark Scotti - May 19, 2009 - Report this comment
Fives for fighting....
Dylan Baranski - May 19, 2009 - Report this comment
Thank you, Mark.
Below Average Dave - May 19, 2009 - Report this comment
Thank you Dylan, I really appreciate everyone's support in this, and I think in part because not only did I not want a court battle, but ASCAP also didn't want that public image, they do not seem interested in pushing the issue at this time as long as I don't repost parodies without a license, I still don't really think that's fair, but it's a small step, and I will be working on getting enough money together to eventually be a safe place for parody in general. Thanks again, 5s on this one
Dylan Baranski - May 19, 2009 - Report this comment
No problem, Dave.
Gari J - May 19, 2009 - Report this comment
I have a parody of B.A.Dave's situation I agree to. Parodies are not copyright infringement and can not be claimed for royalties beacuse it is fairuse. NO FEAR HERE ONLY 5'S
LadyCupCakes - May 20, 2009 - Report this comment
Sir, I don't understand this . . . is Dave in trouble with the Parody Police? ? And just who are they? What is happening? Dave is a reasonable man, and a very good Writer on this sight; I don't want to see him gone, Sir !
Shirley Temple - May 20, 2009 - Report this comment
I give you fives in support of Dave's plight with the ASCAP. How come those people don't understand parodies? Can't they take a peek at the Constitution? This is unfair, people, first that Starforce thing on computer games, then Youtube, now ASCAP? Goes to show how greedy some companies are nowadays.
Dylan Baranski - May 21, 2009 - Report this comment
LadyCupCakes: To answer your question, a group known as the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP for short) wants Dave to pay licensing fees for performing song parodies. According to the US Supreme Court, song parodies count as fair use under copyright laws, but ASCAP doesn't seem to understand. Shirley: I agree with you, though Dave's situation seems to have cooled off a little. However, if the patterns you speak of continue, then eventually, people will get busted for humming or whistling their favorite tunes.
LPG-Unit - May 21, 2009 - Report this comment
I'll be whipping out a parody in a jiffy, don't worry.
UnKnowVotress - May 21, 2009 - Report this comment
Thank you sir B, for describing the trouble! I really don't get involved with the technical part of parodies, I regret that this has happened to one of my favorite Writers. . . . what could happen to the other Knights o'Parody, Sir ? Is it because Sir Dave has recording equipment, that they don't like the musical reproduction of these songs? ?
Below Average Dave - May 21, 2009 - Report this comment
Believe it or not LCC, it's because they thought I did really well apparently, I said that my stuff sounds nothing like TOS, they disagreed. . .and they actually had no problem with me doing it, but they wanted to make some money of it, they wanted me to pay licensing, I'll still write though and I will still record too--I just can't do my own site so long as the fees are too high and I wish not to go to court.

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