Rich Girl by Gwen Stefani- Page 2

[Al Dente]

Posted: 2/24/05 at 5:48pm

I passed it and then some back on Halloween.

[millie_dillmount]

Posted: 2/24/05 at 7:05pm

I'm hearing everyone at school sing this or mention it. It's funny because I never really listened to her version and am more familiar with the true version of the song ("Rich Man").

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 2/24/05 at 7:56pm

Well, I love FIDDLER, I love Gwen, and I love this song. I'm sure the reason the original creators of this version aren't making a "stink" about it is because they are getting a handsome paycheck. You'd think someone in A&R (or formerly so) would take that as a given.

Updated On: 2/24/05 at 07:56 PM

[Al Dente]

Posted: 2/24/05 at 8:44pm

Oh most learned and knowledgeable one Raith, if you bother to re-read my post, (I am more than WELL aware of how royalties and publishing rights work), I was referring to the reggae artist that covered the song originally. I don't recall addressing any of those posts to you. In general, I never address any of my posts to you as I learned, back during the abortion post on the off topic board, that you flip on a dime, even when people are agreeing with you. I'm glad you love everything about that song/artist. I've been there, done that, and if you too knew the version of the song that Munk, cheno and I were recalling, you might have a better understanding just like this lowly ex A&R exec. Updated On: 2/24/05 at 08:44 PM

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 2/24/05 at 8:49pm

Well how dare I. As usual, you've certainly told me. And man, can you hold a grudge! How long ago was that discussion you reference?

Almighty Al Dente - we all bow to you. Sweet, lovely, always with a kind word to say. You can dish it out, but you can't take it, baby.

[Al Dente]

Posted: 2/24/05 at 8:52pm

I just did sweetness, now right back at cha'. I don't hold a grudge, I'm still here now and again, no? I just know there are certain people who you clearly cannot have a *rational* discussion with.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 2/24/05 at 9:03pm

Ain't that the truth.

And I still don't understand - why would the original performer want to make a stink? It's just a cover - one of a million.

[brdlwyr]

Posted: 2/24/05 at 9:23pm

Rath - I love Gwen and Fiddler. I polled the 11 and 9 year olds and they also love it. The 11 year old said that she had it "stuck in her head."

[Dolly_Levi]

Posted: 2/24/05 at 11:07pm

I recall that when Gwen was on TRL a few weeks back, she mentioned that she attended a perf. of the Broadway production of "Fiddler" and upon hearing the song (in its show context) was inspired to create the "Rich Girl" song. Seemed very neat to me at the time, that Bway had inspired this pop artrist. Now I find the song catchy, but not all that impressive.

[wickedfan]

Posted: 2/24/05 at 11:27pm

It's an okay song, in my opinion. I prefer the original version of it, and I don't care for Fiddler. But, yes, Jerry bock and Sheldon Harnick are credited for the song. They are also being handsomely payed not only for the rights but they get 1/3 of all the profits that are connected to "Rich Girl", pretty good deal.

[Justice]

Posted: 2/25/05 at 12:10am

Many years ago, there was a reggae song called "If I was a Rich Girl" by Michie Mee and Louchie Lou. That is the actual song that Gwen Stefani is taking, even though the reggae version is of FOTR. Honestly, when people expose Broadway to people who normally don't listen to it, that should be a good thing.

P.S. Also, a lot of times when music artists use samples, they don't pay a royalty fee, as long as they give credit.

Updated On: 2/25/05 at 12:10 AM

[Ellie3]

Posted: 2/25/05 at 2:42am

Gwen rocks.

[Sant]

Posted: 2/25/05 at 5:49am

Gwen Stefani should never be allowed to make another song ever again! 'Rich Girl' is horrible!!!

[Al Dente]

Posted: 2/25/05 at 10:08am

Thank you Justice, that is the version I'm talking about. And again, Stefani did not, no matter how she spins it, do this cover based on seeing the Broadway show, she dug up this club smash, that no one under the age of 30 would ever remember and covered *IT*, down to the last beat, loop, vocal arrangement. Pity is that she doesn't have to credit the reggae artists that came up with the idea a decade before there was a Fiddler revival. If you have any more questions about the "why's" of my statements Raith, I suggest you find and listen to the reggae version some of us have been referring to. If you're still confused, then there is nothing more left to say.

[JeffG]

Posted: 2/25/05 at 10:13am

Al and I rarely agree. I just listened to that version for the first time right now so I could follow this thread and I have to say, it's C-R-A-P. The only thing GS has going for her is a marketing department with deep pockets.

[My Fair Lady]

Posted: 2/25/05 at 10:16am

I hate this song! It's so stupid, and she is rich! But I'm happy, because I'm listening to Adam in Chess :)

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 2/25/05 at 10:17am

Why do I need to listen to the other version? A cover is a cover is a cover. My question was, since when do original artists (who are not the songwriters) make a "stink" about the next version? Since when do they always get credit?

Frankly, I don't care any more. "Talking" with you is like walking in a circle.

Updated On: 2/25/05 at 10:17 AM

[broadway geek]

Posted: 2/25/05 at 10:29am

I personally like this song. I'm not obsessed with it but it intrigued me enough to pay $1 to get it from iTunes.

Not only those over 30 know about the reggae version. My 16 year old friend brought it up when we were talking about it. I'd never heard of it, but I took his word.

[Al Dente]

Posted: 2/25/05 at 10:29am

Raith, you really are having a great deal of trouble comprehending this and clearly have very little understanding about the business of music. "A cover, is a cover, is a cover", in this case, could not be further from the truth. There has not been the mad crazy rush of people doing covers of Fiddler tunes. There have only ever been two, the reggae version and now, Stefani's and being that there is only ONE cover of this song which bears not even the slightest resemblance to the actual song, it is more than obvious, to those who KNOW, that Stefani ripped off the reggae artist moment for moment. That, my friend, is why the reggae artists should be making a "stink". This has nothing to do with rights and monies paid or owed. That is taken care of automatically. What we're talking about, is Stefani's blatant lack of creativity and not being held accountable because people like yourself, don't "get it". Now Dr. Al has concluded his lesson in musicology 101, for the day. Again, my suggestion to you, is to go a listen to the darn reggae version and educate yourself, I'm exhausted and have now spent more time talking about Stefani in one thread than I have in my entire life. Nuff' said.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 2/25/05 at 10:34am

What I don't get is why the original artist of Stefani's version are any more "worthy" than any other original artist of a song that gets covered.

[TheOneAndOnly]

Posted: 2/25/05 at 11:08am

Not to get involved...but Rath, what Al is saying (I believe)...is not that the original artist is more worthy of covering the song than Stefani, but that what Stefani is doing isn't simply a standard cover of the theatrical song. She's doing a re-worked version, using just a small part of the original song. However, this reworked version, being very different than the original, is veryvery similar (exactly, in some ways) to this reggae version people are talking about.

I think the issue here is more that Gwen is copying the idea of covering/reworking the original song in the SAME way as the reggae version. It's more like she's covering a cover. In fact, when I first saw this on her album I swore I had heard the 'rap version of Rich Girl' earlier this year. I literally thought it was the same track. Of course, I only heard it in passing, but even so. Let's face it, making an old musical theater song into a hip-hop/club song isn't a commonplace thing, and when you have someone 'covering' the same musical theater song that was already covered years ago, and they cover it with the same treatment and similar vocals and lyrics changed from the original text, then.....that's no longer just a cover. That is a rip-off of someone else's idea, which goes beyond just lyrics & melody.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 2/25/05 at 11:15am

No - still not my question - my question is, songs are covered all the time. What gives the performer of this original version more rights than the original performer of any other song that gets covered?

[TheOneAndOnly]

Posted: 2/25/05 at 11:23am

Because you are now using the first artist's unique format, interpretation of the true original, and stylings, copying them and calling them yours. Gwen certainly gives credit to the orignal authors of the musical theater song, but nowhere does she give credit to the reworking of the song by the reggae folks. Do you think she (or producers she worked with) 'came up' with the idea of covering this song in THIS way WITHOUT hearing the reggae version?

I guess my final point is, there is a difference between COVERING a song or COPYING something and claiming it is yours. The original authors deserve credit for music/lyrics, while the reggae folks deserve credit for the CONCEPT that she is copying.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 2/25/05 at 11:24am

Thank you. That answers my question thoroughly.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 2/25/05 at 12:36pm

There is a huge list of credits on the cd for that song - perhaps within that listing is that reggae singer or their record label. If anyone knows the name of either one, I'll check to see if they're on there.