Literal videos

[figmo]

A former KLIV colleague, John Lee, pointed these out to me on Facebook. The concept: What if people in the music videos were actually singing about what they were doing? The result is "Literal Videos."

Here are the four videos by the guy who originated them:

1. "Take on Me" by A-ha:
   


2. "Head Over Heels" by Tears For Fears:
   


3. "Under the Bridge" by The Red Hot Chili Peppers:
   


4. "White Wedding" by Billy Idol:
   

Apparently some of the videos have been pulled off of YouTube because Warner Records thinks there's some kind of copyright violation. The Electronic Frontier Foundation is already taking up the cause, noting that this is clearly fair use as a parody and that the guy who did them isn't making any money off them.

Comments

[bikergeek.livejournal.com]

I hadn't seen the Billy Idol one. :-) That was one of my favorite songs, and favorite videos, back in high school, back in the early 80s.

(not a lawyer, not legal advice, yada)

I wonder if Campbell v. Acuff-Rose applies in this case. Seems to me that it would, as long as he's not reusing the original lyrics. However, record companies are fairly large entities with virtually bottomless resources. I can see why YouTube et. al. might not want to put up a fight.

[figmo.livejournal.com]

Campbell v. Acuff-Rose is the case that applies. I did my Media Law paper on that decision. It's a slam-dunk case as far as the EFF's side goes.

[slantiness.livejournal.com]

Oh man. Those are surprisingly hilarious.

[keristor.livejournal.com]

The only song I actually knew was "Take On Me", but they are all hilarious...