Rich Girl by Gwen Stefani — Page 2

I passed it and then some back on Halloween.

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.

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

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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