This Is How You Remind Me Of a Public Affair Holiday I Took Someday
August 16, 2006 10:28 AM   Subscribe

Jessica Simpson's latest single (YouTube link) came on as I was flicking around the teevee, and I was immediately struck by how much it sounded like 'Holiday' by Madonna. Stealing from yourself is one thing, but admitting to stealing from someone else is quite another. Isn't it?
posted by jimmythefish (99 comments total)
 
She tells MTV, "I think people are ready to hear something that Madonna used to do. We all need to hear that every now and again.

I mean, what the fuck?
posted by jimmythefish at 10:29 AM on August 16, 2006


"accidentally influenced"?
posted by Dr-Baa at 10:31 AM on August 16, 2006


Of course, she doesn't really have to worry about being sued by Madonna because Madonna did not have a hand in writing the song.
posted by flarbuse at 10:32 AM on August 16, 2006


This is pop. 'nuff said.
posted by NationalKato at 10:32 AM on August 16, 2006


In The Wedding Singer, Alexis Arquette sings backup for Adam Sandler on "Holiday".

Alexis Arquette and Jessica Simpson are big-boobed square-jawed blondes who were on "reality" shows.

Need I say more? I think you know what I mean.
posted by mr_crash_davis at 10:33 AM on August 16, 2006


I'm typing under the influence right now. Does that mean Jack Daniels is gonna sue me?
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 10:40 AM on August 16, 2006


"I think people are ready to hear something that Madonna used to do. We all need to hear that every now and again."

You know, I think I agree with that, which is why "Like a Virgin" and "Material Girl" are still on my playlist. Of course, if you're not actually '80s-era Madonna, you can shut up.
posted by Faint of Butt at 10:41 AM on August 16, 2006


I'm beginning (just beginning) to think that this whole life deal is not entirely fair. Metafilter, hold me while I cry myself to sleep on my 15-count cotton-poly blend sheets.
posted by jimmythefish at 10:41 AM on August 16, 2006


You're not seriously telling me you're surprised musicians borrow/steal from each other, are you? Og the caveman accused Alley Oop of ripping off his licks. Of course, in those days they settled it with a quick mastodon bone to the skull rather than a protracted lawsuit, but the principle was the same.
posted by languagehat at 10:41 AM on August 16, 2006


Of course, she doesn't really have to worry about being sued by Madonna because Madonna did not have a hand in writing the song.

The credited writer, Jellybean, endured a lawsuit challenging his authorship and there was a settlement made.
posted by StickyCarpet at 10:42 AM on August 16, 2006


Need I say more? I think you know what I mean.

Alexis Arquette is going to play Daisy Duke in the upcoming Dukes of Hazzard television series based on the recent movie?
posted by ODiV at 10:43 AM on August 16, 2006


It's just a mashup symbolic of our post-copyright era and exactly what the man is trying to keep down.

(and if Jessica Simpson wrote for Boing Boing, I might actually read it)
posted by cillit bang at 10:44 AM on August 16, 2006


This worth a thread????????
posted by zouhair at 10:49 AM on August 16, 2006


There was a Stones song a few years back that sounded like KD Lang's Constant Cravings. I saw a neat interview with her where Mick called her to apologize and she said she was "honored." They gave her a song writing credit and everyone seemed to come out of the situation with grace.

It seems like this should happen much more often since most pop songs seem to use a similar musical structure, or formula really.
posted by dog food sugar at 10:49 AM on August 16, 2006


The Stealing from Yourself Nickelback thing is awesome. I hate the band, but when both songs go to the chorus it was really funny and much better in a Rent finale, multiple melodies overlapping sort of way.
posted by Brainy at 10:50 AM on August 16, 2006


Shitty pop star steals from 80's musical act: Story at 11.
posted by shawnj at 10:50 AM on August 16, 2006


now if only she had stolen the groove, too ... listening to little jessica steal from madonna makes me appreciate madonna more ... she sings better and the track's a lot funkier
posted by pyramid termite at 10:51 AM on August 16, 2006


Tchaikovsky could've sued Bill Conti for stealing one of his musical idea for a film score, too. It's not just pop music that does this.
posted by pax digita at 10:51 AM on August 16, 2006


Either I'm really out of date (quite possibly) or this is relevant to this askme question. I mean, who the fuck is this airhead?
posted by handee at 10:58 AM on August 16, 2006


This does not change the fact that I would, given the opportunity, sleep with her. That's the real reason she remains popular, right?
posted by geoff. at 11:00 AM on August 16, 2006


Need I say more? I think you know what I mean.

I might as well jump?
posted by Remy at 11:03 AM on August 16, 2006


That's the real reason she remains popular, right? - geoff.

What else could it be?
posted by raedyn at 11:07 AM on August 16, 2006


zouhair:
of course this is worth a thread! the fpp has more than one link!
posted by clyde at 11:10 AM on August 16, 2006


I'm glad the Internet wasn't around in the 1950's. There would have been a lot of discussion about whether Dion and the Belmonts stole their last doo-wop hit from Frankie Lymon, or whether they both ripped off the Penguins.
posted by QuietDesperation at 11:10 AM on August 16, 2006


Not that I'm a JSimp fan, but it's not as though Ms. Ciccone never stole anything in her life.
posted by blucevalo at 11:15 AM on August 16, 2006


Shitty pop star steals from 80's musical act: Story at 11.

And makes mediocre pop record 1 million times better. Yay culture.
posted by cillit bang at 11:20 AM on August 16, 2006


Shitty pop star steals from 80's musical act: Story at 11.

Or: shitty pop star. 80's musical act.
posted by creeky at 11:21 AM on August 16, 2006


This worth eight question marks????????
posted by Faint of Butt at 11:23 AM on August 16, 2006




Nope, sorry. You're not gonna get me to voluntarily listen to Jessica Simpson, even if it is in that sexy yellow text on the sweet, sweet blue...
posted by blastrid at 11:28 AM on August 16, 2006


I notice only 2 things about this video: (1) Andy Dick, (2) Jessica Simpson deep-throating a vanilla cone.

That, and a Casio-keyboard version of "Holiday." The 10-sec intro before the vocals kick in isn't "inspired" by anything -- it's a straight copy, which is why there was a lawsuit, methinks.
posted by turducken at 11:29 AM on August 16, 2006


She's probably paying for it anyway, I believe it's covered by standard copyright agreements. So, not really very exciting.
posted by MetaMonkey at 11:29 AM on August 16, 2006 [1 favorite]


She's probably paying for it anyway, I believe it's covered by standard copyright agreements. So, not really very exciting.
posted by MetaMonkey at 11:29 AM on August 16, 2006


She's probably paying for it anyway, I believe it's covered by standard copyright agreements. So, not really very exciting.
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 11:30 AM on August 16, 2006 [1 favorite]


Doctorin' the Tardis
posted by MetaMonkey at 11:31 AM on August 16, 2006


She's probably paying for it anyway, I believe it's covered by standard copyright agreements. So, not really very exciting.
posted by Milkman Dan at 11:33 AM on August 16, 2006


Anybody else want to join in?
posted by Milkman Dan at 11:34 AM on August 16, 2006


This is poop. 'nuff said.
posted by Kirth Gerson at 11:36 AM on August 16, 2006


Somebody blow up the Simpson house at Christmas and you can improve mainstream music, uh...many times over.
posted by stinkycheese at 11:37 AM on August 16, 2006


My sweet lord!
posted by picea at 11:44 AM on August 16, 2006 [1 favorite]


She's probably paying for it anyway, I believe it's covered by standard copyright agreements. So, not really very exciting, cunt.
posted by snoktruix at 11:45 AM on August 16, 2006


Holy crap what a rip-off.
posted by squidfartz at 11:51 AM on August 16, 2006


You know what I was just thinking?
She's probably paying for it anyway, I believe it's covered by standard copyright agreements. So, not really very exciting.
posted by Outlawyr at 11:55 AM on August 16, 2006


If OJ had killed Jessica Simpson, then he would have deserved his freedom.
posted by snofoam at 11:55 AM on August 16, 2006


Kelly from Married with Children? Isn't she a little old for that crap? Who were the other chicks in that, the resolution on you tube is so low it was hard to tell.
posted by delmoi at 12:00 PM on August 16, 2006


Just when I thought that I couldn't care any less, I found a way.
posted by drstein at 12:02 PM on August 16, 2006


If I'm right in thinking it's covered by standard copyright agreements, she's probably paying for it anyway. So, overall I'm not really exciting.
posted by NationalKato at 12:02 PM on August 16, 2006


If JSimp looked like, say, Edith Piaf, she'd never have had a singing career beyond her church choir.
posted by pax digita at 12:07 PM on August 16, 2006


I think it was Picasso who said "Bad artists copy. Great artists steal." Of course we know what Jessica is.
posted by lhauser at 12:08 PM on August 16, 2006


We'll probably all be paying for it anyway, I believe we're mired in standard copyright arguments. So, not really ever exiting.
posted by everichon at 12:09 PM on August 16, 2006


She's probably paying for it anyway, I believe it's covered by standard copyright agreements. So, not really very exciting.
posted by StrasbourgSecaucus at 12:12 PM on August 16, 2006


wow. I saw this on stereogum a month ago. slow moving meme, apparently.
posted by shoepal at 12:13 PM on August 16, 2006


Crap, crap and more crap. So sick of new bands covering old shit.
posted by jacob hauser at 12:16 PM on August 16, 2006


OMG Jessica Simpson might not be the artist we all thought!!!

I really can't believe this is a thread on Metafilter.
posted by xmutex at 12:19 PM on August 16, 2006


Ashlee Simpson might not be the artist we all thought!!!
posted by arialblack at 12:32 PM on August 16, 2006


She's probably believing it anyway, I believe it's paying for it by exciting copyright agreements. So, not really very standard.
posted by Floydd at 12:35 PM on August 16, 2006


Not really very exciting, is it, xmutex?
posted by Evstar at 12:35 PM on August 16, 2006


Agreed, xmutex. Much better if you combine with this post.

"Jessica Simpsons are beautifully ridiculous. They breathe through a rather ridiculous-looking hole on top of their head. Unlike fish, which often reproduce by spraying millions of eggs and swimming away, Jessica Simpsons give birth to one calf at a time, which they proceed to nurse for months. Some Jessica Simpsons are like underwater bats, shrieking through their blowholes and listening to the echoes."
posted by turducken at 12:35 PM on August 16, 2006 [1 favorite]


*applause*

Now there's a mashup I can dance to.
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 12:40 PM on August 16, 2006


It's not really that close. It's only the opening riff. Seems like jillions of songs rip off opening riffs ... again, not so exciting.
posted by mrgrimm at 12:46 PM on August 16, 2006


She's probably shrieking through blowholes anyway, I believe it's covered by underwater bats. So, not really very ridiculous.
posted by snofoam at 12:58 PM on August 16, 2006


Oh get off it people. It's catchy, it's fun. Music sucks these days anyway--it may as well be fun.
posted by fusinski at 1:02 PM on August 16, 2006


Who started using 'JSimp' first..? Please, God, tell me it wasn't MeFi...

anyway, since no one else has made the point, she (JSimp) is probably paying for it anyway. I believe it's covered by standard copyright agreements. So, not really very exciting...
posted by WhipSmart at 1:08 PM on August 16, 2006


Metafilter: shrieking through their blowholes and listening to the echoes
posted by briank at 1:10 PM on August 16, 2006


MetaFilter: probably paying for it anyway
posted by It's Raining Florence Henderson at 1:12 PM on August 16, 2006


Well, not that I have any inside information on this matter, although I seem to recall a friend who may have met her, but recent trends in IP law would indicate that it's highly unlikely that she'd manage to avoid paying for it, regardless—these days there's boilerplate contract law concerning copyright that is almost unquestioned by artists or their managers and this was probably handled automatically in-house or by another group of folks that are used to seeing each other across the table.

That said, this is something I've been thinking about for a while now and only lately have been actively researching. I've been having trouble with Google search strings and getting the hits I'm looking for on this topic. It reminded me of how difficult it can be to find something because, oddly, it's too popular and widely referenced and not because it's obscure. Anyway, I guess what I'm trying to say is that it's really not very exciting, anyway. Cunt.
posted by Ethereal Bligh at 1:24 PM on August 16, 2006


for i in range (99): print "She's probably paying for it anyway, I believe it's covered by standard copyright agreements. So, not really very exciting."
posted by signal at 1:25 PM on August 16, 2006


¿And was anybody else sort of more grossed out than turned on by the ice-cream-blowjob?
posted by signal at 1:25 PM on August 16, 2006


Also ripped off for this song: Diana Ross -- "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" -- starting at 3:43. For the original, try 1:49 on this youtube from Hilarious House of Frightenstein. (Why that clip? Because I like it.)
posted by pracowity at 1:28 PM on August 16, 2006


Metafilter: I really can't believe this is a thread on Metafilter.
posted by blucevalo at 1:37 PM on August 16, 2006


Oh get off it people. It's catchy, it's fun.
posted by fusinski


Not really. But your mileage may vary.
posted by NationalKato at 1:49 PM on August 16, 2006


That Nickelback clip always makes me feel better about myself. I always liked How You Remind Me, but convinced myself that it was just one song, and that I didn't need to feel bad about liking just one song from Nickelback. And then Someday came out, and I liked that, too. And while I could like one song by a band like Nickelback and maintain my self respect, two was bordering on actually liking Nickelback, and karmically speaking, I just wasn't up for that. But then I realized they were, in fact, the same song.
posted by jacquilynne at 1:59 PM on August 16, 2006


Metafilter: Not really.
posted by owhydididoit at 2:01 PM on August 16, 2006


I don't think she's paying for it as this is not covered by standard copyright agreements. This should be really exciting!
posted by jefbla at 2:09 PM on August 16, 2006


It took me about 20 minutes to figure out what I was hearing, but I've finally got it. The chorus of this song has distinct elements of "Let's Groove" by Earth, Wind and Fire.

And yeah, the whole Madonna/Holiday thing is both obvious and hilarious. Doesn't really bother me, though. It's amusing that she would say it's got the same "vibe" as Madonna's song, though.
posted by sportbucket at 2:12 PM on August 16, 2006


Is this part of her breast awareness campaign?
posted by pracowity at 2:18 PM on August 16, 2006


And this is news how exactly? This has been happening many times over, it's nothing new.
posted by divabat at 2:21 PM on August 16, 2006


I apologise if I've bored anyone with the internets today.
posted by jimmythefish at 2:31 PM on August 16, 2006


This is a very crappy post. But, honestly, I think people have been pretty gentle about it. Don't you? Has anyone ever mentioned you have a lovely smile?
posted by Ethereal Bligh at 2:36 PM on August 16, 2006


The funny thing is, she's probably paying for it anyway, I believe it's covered by standard copyright agreements. So, not really very exciting.

I like pancakes.
posted by Outlawyr at 2:55 PM on August 16, 2006


Her of that you pay strange thing perhaps in any case, covering me with the agreement of a certain standard copyright which is believed. So, really very exciting.

(needs some work, fellas)
posted by maryh at 3:17 PM on August 16, 2006


First of all, am I the only one who doesn't think it really sounds all that much like "Holiday", beyond the initial riff? After that, there's an entire catalog of pop songs that could lay claim to individual parts of that song. It's how they're made these days, folks.

Second, "deep throating" an ice cream cone? Dude, your girlfriend has been lying to you.

Third, Jessica Simpson's sole access to celebrity is through scandal (because lord knows, it's not through talent). They're loving every word that gets written about this terrible, terrible thing.
posted by mkultra at 3:21 PM on August 16, 2006


Jessica Simpsons give birth to one calf at a time, which they proceed to nurse for months

So very exciting, really! I'd probably pay for it, anyway. I believe I'm covered by standard calf agreements, right?
posted by Sparx at 3:25 PM on August 16, 2006


Ryan Seacrest and Andy Dick and you're concerned about it ripping off a crappy 20 year old Madonna tune?

Priorities, man. Priorities.
posted by Ufez Jones at 3:41 PM on August 16, 2006


mkultra: True, "deep throating" was a poor choice of words. More like she's giving it a slobbery gobble, which feels a helluva lot better. (As previously discussed.)

And I wasn't thinking of MY girlfriend... Dude.
posted by turducken at 3:50 PM on August 16, 2006


Thingy copyright thingy exciting.
posted by Sailor Martin at 4:29 PM on August 16, 2006


FLICKING AROUND THE TEEVEE?
Serves you right, then.
posted by weapons-grade pandemonium at 4:33 PM on August 16, 2006


Wow. That video is 4 minutes and 18 seconds of such unadulterated stupidity, I'm 8 minutes and 36 seconds dumber after watching it.

Yes, I stole that joke.
posted by elwoodwiles at 4:44 PM on August 16, 2006


Shit Sandwich.

Con Queso.
posted by dbiedny at 4:55 PM on August 16, 2006


a) is that Eva Longoria? 'Cause I think that's Christina Applegate but I'm not sure who the other included-for-the-purposes-of-diversity galpal is.

b) does not sound like Holiday to me. Much more like an Earth, Wind & Fire tune if Maurice White had had no talent and been forced to write a song while in the k-hole.

c) is Ashleeeeee Simpson in some sort of witness protection program? Because she's got enough plastic surgery goin' on to make Jocelyn Wildenstein look like Mother Teresa.

d) if Jessica Simpson weren't blonde, din't have them D-cups, and hadn't been portrayed as sub-cretinous on national television, her catchphrase would be "ya want fries with that?".

e) what's the Vegas line on the time-line for her "minister" father Joe to be ratted out by one or both girls for having touched them inappropriately at a tender age?
posted by the sobsister at 6:58 PM on August 16, 2006


Who started using 'JSimp' first..? Please, God, tell me it wasn't MeFi...

I'm guessing ASimp.
posted by Tube at 7:47 PM on August 16, 2006


Vanilla Ice just commented on this on his website "No - Madonna's song goes: dun dun dun duhduh dun dun. and Jessica's song goes: dun dun dun duhdun dun dun. theres clearly a difference."
posted by bradth27 at 11:43 PM on August 16, 2006


Lyrical poet, huh?
posted by goo at 12:27 AM on August 17, 2006


Here I was thinking that vapid is the new black. Turns out it's just retro.

Also, I'd forgotten how much the Nickleback/Nickleback mash-up is infinitely beter than either song.
posted by Navelgazer at 7:10 AM on August 17, 2006


I've thought this over quite a bit and have come to the following conclusion. She's probably NOT paying for it anyway. While I believe it's covered by standard copyright agreements, it still has the potential to be very exciting. I know, that's a complete 180.
posted by Outlawyr at 9:38 AM on August 17, 2006


It really doesn't matter that much in my opinion. All forms of music are recycled anyway. Listen to enough and you start to pick up on the influences.
posted by samsara at 10:05 AM on August 17, 2006


This thread rules. Especially the Visage link.
posted by todbot at 12:09 PM on August 17, 2006


Will it ever stop? Yo, I don't know.
posted by witchstone at 12:46 PM on August 17, 2006


Turn off the lights and I'll glow.
posted by jimmythefish at 2:15 PM on August 17, 2006


« Older “Roll that s—t, light that s—t, smoke that s—t.”   |   That riff is so gay Newer »


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