Poppler's Journal: Stones lack sense of irony, sue rapper for "stealing" song.

Rolling Stones Publisher Sues Lil Wayne

"Play With Fire" is an early period Rolling Stones tune, the B-side from the single for "The Last Time" that also appears on their 1965 album Out of Our Heads. "Playing With Fire" is that batshit Lil Wayne song from Tha Carter III on which Weezy F. implores whoever's listening to "assassinate me, bitch!" and so on.

The two tracks have a hell of a lot in common, musically. And as the Verve could certainly tell you, the Stones aren't too keen on the whole borrowing thing. Reuters reports (via Billboard.com) that Lil Wayne, his artistic collaborators, and his Universal Music Group-owned record label are being sued for copyright infringement by Abkco Music Inc., the publishing company that holds the rights to "Play With Fire".

As the Reuters report states, Abkco is claiming that "Lil Wayne's 'Playing with Fire' is a clear derivative of the Rolling Stones song with the original lyrics and music altered in a recognizable way." Which, uh, yeah, it is. The Stones are seeking unspecified damages from the lawsuit, though your "A Milli" joke is as good as mine. Abkco are also alleging that Wayne's "Fire" features "'explicit, sexist and offensive language' and could lead the public to believe the company and the Rolling Stones approved of and authorized the new version." Because, of course, those dudes' hands are so clean.

And get this: According to another Billboard.com report, the Stones aren't just suing Universal... they're signing a deal with 'em! Because that makes sense.

Wayne, meanwhile, hits the Virgin Festival in Baltimore August 10 and the Voodoo Experience in New Orleans in late October.

what songs

[zogger]

what songs did they do that they borrowed from earlier artists? I am sort of embarrassed, you'd think I'd remember boomer rock titles better....

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[Poppler]

"Love in Vain" was a Robert Johnson song, and they didn't give him credit on the original LP (though they did on the reissue CD I have). They have also been widely accused of "stealing" riffs from guys like Johnson and John Lee Hooker.

I think it's all nonsense. So what if the Stones borrowed from the blues, and so what if Lil Wayne is borrowing from them, they should be happy they're still relevant. Those old blues guys all borrowed from each other and from earlier folk music and slave songs, it's part of t

cheap guys, too

[zogger]

I worked two venues for them on a tour as a steel rigger/climber and they burned us (myself and a half a dozen guys from our local crew) on reimbursement for gas traveling expenses (georgia to texas) and the motel. Wound up working for near free. I like their music fine, no use for them as hooman beanz. I only worked the second venue in nola because it was more or less good enough as a way back and at least got another pay packet out of them. Saving grace was in nola at least we had decent food. In texas it

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[Shadow Wrought]

I saw John Lee Hooker perform int he alte 90's. He was, AFAIK, well into his 80's by then. He came out slow and had helpers get him seated and hand him is guitar. Having not seen him before I was worried it was going to be the hallow attempt of an old man to far gone to know when to quit. How wrong I was. he played with more passion and more force than anyone I've ever seen live: including youngsters a mere quarter of his age. A remarkable talent.