By Todd Martens via LA Times
No surprises here, but Prince has again taken his anti-fun copyright claims a bit too far.
The Associated Press reported today that the artist's label, NPG Records, has requested that all versions of his Radiohead cover of "Creep" be removed from YouTube. The artist sang the song at the Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival.
For those who have forgotten, Prince had earlier stopped a video of a baby dancing to his "Let's Go Crazy," which was barely audible in the background of the clip. One of the ironies in that case, and likely here as well, is that Prince has only served to make more people aware of the video and will once again send music fans on a scavenger hunt to find it.
But at least "Let's Go Crazy" was Prince's song. The AP story quotes Radiohead's Thom Yorke as saying that he wants Prince to unblock the tune:
"Really? He's blocked it?" asked Yorke, who figured it was their song to block or not. "Surely, we should block it. Hang on a moment."
Yorke added: "Well, tell him to unblock it. It's our ... song."
It's a muffled, poorly shot, 1 minute and 14 second clip, and it will surely destroy Prince's career if it's allowed to stay online.
The Times' Ann Powers reviewed Prince's performance and noted of his version of "Creep" that he "changed it from a dissection of self-loathing to an admonition to feel uplifted." But was the re-interpretation enough for Prince to claim ownership of the tune?
my 2cents;
Sure the clip is crap, yet those used to online video are used to this and can certainly discern what the performance could've been and also imagine the concept in better form. Plus, many like the honesty of the clip; the naked truth if you will.
I can only imagine what a studio clip of the track may sound like. Probably great....
maybe Suckage???
This move by the Princey seems to show a chink in the armor of a man that was once a master of his craft and it's direction. This smells to me like he's lost it. "It" being his grasp as an innovator that has kept himself fresh for years. (even in seclusion)
Note to the purple man: Reel it in, lil' guy!
