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Songwriter Forum => Resources & Marketing => Topic started by: GuyBarry on December 28, 2016, 04:08:30 PM

Title: Marketing a song parody
Post by: GuyBarry on December 28, 2016, 04:08:30 PM

Last Christmas I wrote (and subsequently recorded) a comedy song called Christmas Cacophony.  The lyrics, melody and harmonies were all mine, but I deliberately wrote the lyrics so that they could be sung to the tune of Mariah Carey's All I Want for Christmas Is You (apart from a change in the bridge section).  I didn't let on at the time.

This Christmas I decided to let the cat out of the bag and performed the parody version at an open mic.  It went down well, so I got the audience to sing along with it at another event the following week.  On Christmas Day I performed it spontaneously in the pub and got a big round of applause.  I think it could be a huge hit with the right singer.

How would I go about getting permission to use Mariah Carey's and Walter Afanasieff's music?  The song was issued by Columbia Records, though Mariah Carey is no longer signed with them.  I have next to no money and wouldn't be able to pay any upfront fees.  Would I be able to negotiate a deal where they got a cut of the royalties?  It's all extremely daunting but I really think I might be able to market this for next Christmas.

Title: Re: Marketing a song parody
Post by: Boydie on December 28, 2016, 04:49:21 PM

I would suggest contacting the publisher as a first step: Sony/ATV Music Publishing

This may be of use:

http://members.cdbaby.com/license-cover-song.aspx

Title: Re: Marketing a song parody
Post by: GuyBarry on December 28, 2016, 05:44:50 PM

Thanks very much for that.  I've just found Walter Afanasieff's website and I've dropped him a message direct.  I hope he's got a sense of humour!