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I didn’t think that I would ever have the opportunity to discuss this here, but stranger things have happened. My admission: I once was a total Velvet Underground obsessive. Like, crazy for Nico, in love with Lou Reed, all of it. At some point I just kind of grew out of it, but if “White Light.White Heat” comes on the radio, all of a sudden I’m back to being 19 years old and smoking weed in my dorm, gushing about my Religious Studies professor (what – he was cool!). And I’ll give this to Lou Reed – unlike rockers of a similar age group, Lou isn’t out there, showing his ass every night. Until this story came along, I don’t think I’d heard any Lou Reed news in years.
So, basically, the story is that Susan Boyle wanted to perform “Perfect Day” on America’s Got Talent. Nevermind that the song is perhaps not the best use of Boyle’s voice – everything but the chorus is basically just said, not sung. Anyway, SuBo isn’t going to sing it – because Lou Reed said “bitch please” and wouldn’t give them permission. Yikes.
TMZ has learned Susan Boyle has left Los Angeles in tears after being snubbed by a songwriter who refused to let her sing one of his hits on “America’s Got Talent.” Susan arrived to L.A. earlier today to perform the song “Perfect Day” on the show.
Sources connected to the show tell TMZ … producers needed permission from the songwriter, Lou Reed — the former lead singer for The Velvet Underground and famous for “Walk on the Wild Side” — but at the last minute they were informed that Reed refused permission because he isn’t a Boyle fan.
When Boyle found out, she dissolved into tears — unprepared to change her tune for the show.
We’re told Boyle went to LAX this afternoon — still in tears — and is catching a flight back to London.
“America’s Got Talent” refused to comment.
[From TMZ]
An insider tells Us Weekly, “The bit about her storming off is not true.” Apparently, Susan was still in her hotel when she learned that Lou Reed refused to give his permission, and Susan was upset because, she “didn’t have any time to prepare anything else, so the whole thing had to be scrapped.” The source continues: “Susan is a very sensitive soul, and she takes her work very seriously…she was very upset about the situation. he knew a lot of fans had flown in especially to watch her perform and felt she had let them down. She was heartbroken and had put so much effort in to this performance. It’s a real shame.” Poor Susan. I understand why Lou Reed did it, I guess – he wrote the song, it’s his call, and he said no. But disrespecting Susan Boyle is like punching a kitten.
Written by Kaiser
Posted in Lou Reed, Susan Boyle
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83 Responses to “Lou Reed won’t give his permission to let Susan Boyle sing “A Perfect Day””
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what a douche…let her sing the damn song…
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Like punching a kitten? Seriously? I don’t see it. She irritates me to no end, and I am eternally grateful to Reed for not allowing her to wreck his song.
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Respectfully, Lou Reed is not disrespecting Susan Boyle, but instead – America’s Got Talent. These variety shows, AI included, are simply commerce. Would you allow any songs you’ve written to be soiled by the world’s most popular karaoke bars/shows ?
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Did anyone truly believe he would have allowed it?
Anyone…?
Bueller?
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Thats one of my favorite Lou Reed songs and as much as I love Susan B I am glad he said no.
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Good for you, Lou!
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Reed’s a dink. He always has been and this doesn’t surprise me at all.
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it is his song and he can do what he wants with it. he doesn’t have to lend it out to AI or whatever crap show asks. why do people still watch these shows anyway? boring.
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Team Lou – he doesn’t have to shill his music on a trite show like that. It would somehow cheapen his legacy.
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Sorry Kaiser, but I have to go with Lou Reed on this one!
I think the dude just wanted some ‘quality control’ over his song as a symbol of his own artistic image. And Sue B isnt exactly the ‘Velvet Underground’. . . Mahalo to Lou Reed for not destroying my dormroom memories.
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I understand not wanting your song to be used under certain circumstances, however, if it exposes the song to a new generation of people and turns them onto your music it’s a win win. Think about It’s My Life the Talk Talk song that No Doubt covered.
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His song, his right. I don’t have any issue with any artist who doesn’t want their work performed by someone else, especially not on a TV talent show.
Stinks for her if she’d been expecting to do that, but wouldn’t it be wise for her team to get legal clearance BEFORE setting the whole thing up and preparing for it? And why not just sing a song she did on her own album rather than scrapping the whole performance?
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lawyery – interesting because i think, in general, that anyone can do a cover of any song, without needing permission. BUT, i guess the fact that it would be used on a show like that (lots of commercial interest, etc) could change things.
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I’m Team Reed on this one. Susan Boyle kinda represents everything Reed’s music fought against.
If she reacted badly, then its her own fault or not having a back up plan on another song. Not that I wish her any ill will, but whenever I hear a story about her I think how absolutely unfit she is for this career path. There are plenty of “Sensitive souls” out there who aren’t as emotionally ill-equip to deal with the harsh realities of her chosen profession.
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@ron, i don’t think he needs this song to be exposed to a younger audience, at this point in his career.
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Good for Lou Reed.
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I’m glad he did it. Whew.
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Don’t think he’s “disrespecting” her. His song, his right not to have it performed on a goofy talent show by an unstable talent show performer.
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Thank goodness – one of my all time favourite songs and can’t imagine it being murdered by SB!!!
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Ron, there’s a difference between No Doubt and Susan Boyle. Covers happen all the time and sometimes they are great but it doesn’t mean anyone should/can do it. It’s the artist. People who would buy Susan Boyle’s music aren’t going to go exploring the back catalogue of Lou Reed. If my mom had an iTunes account, she would buy Susan Boyle’s music (well, she would call me to come over and show her how to do a search and buy something), she wouldn’t buy Lou Reed’s music.
Regardless of sides, why in the world would they leave the permission process to the last second?
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Cannot imagine what SB would do with the song. I’d be mildly interested in hearing her cover.
But, as the song’s creator, I do respect his wishes. It would be admirable if she would, too.
I don’t know the legal issues, tho.
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Good! He has every right to deny her. There are enough crappy covers out there. Plus she sucks. She might be talented but her voice is unbearable to me..
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She is such a big baby. Did she suck her thumb to the airport?
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um whatever… she isnt my fav either, give her a hankie and send her back to England or where ever she is from… bye!
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Eh, it’s his song, so whatevs. Did he give a reason – I hope it’s more for the show using it and not her specifically. That’d be going out of his way to be hurtful, I think.
Oh, and this song is being used in some commercial that is either running now or has in the last year or so. It’s not this version, not sure who is performing it. So, apparently, he is ok with letting someone use his song for cash. No idea though.
ETA: Youtube is my friend. It was from the Olympics/AT&T. Can I link it? Not sure if I’m allowed or not. If you want to see it go to youtube and search ‘perfect day commercial.’ It’s the one with Gretchen Bleiler.
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Most of us know that at her birth, Susan’s brain was deprived of oxygen leaving her with some lifelong difficulties, what is Lou Reed’s excuse?
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Good Lord! That song is scary! Who likes it?
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Susan is more of a classical singer and Lou Reeds song should not be sung like it’s an aria. I too am mildly curious to see how she would have sung it. Did she really go home crying? Man has that woman been shelterd or what?
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Lou Reed was interviewed by Terry Gross for “Fresh Air”, years back. She was a big fan of his. I believe he was promoting an album(?) anyway when she asked him about the Velvet Underground and he stormed out. Terry was stunned.
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Lou Reed is a well-known jerk.
I don’t really have an opinion one way or another about him letting Susan Boyle sing his song, but he’s the kind of guy who leaves bad karma wherever he goes.
Hard to believe he is married to Laurie Anderson, who is – or was – such a ray of sunshine.
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CandyKay, I thought he was married to Patty Smith…..?
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Was this what she was going to sing to the Pope, too? lol
Maybe he would give permission if she wanted to sing “Heroin” instead.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFLw26BjDZs
This story is so absurd I don’t know what to do with myself. Team Lou.
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@Victoria – Lou Reed’s already sang the song with almost everybody including Luciano Pavarotti, so I don’t see how Susan Boyle could be much worse. Tom Jones was even included in the BBC Charity version!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j2JXy1Z9ovs
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kudos to lou reed, this show is shitty
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It seems like everyone loved Susan when she first hit the YouTube scene. Now everyone takes pleasure in dumping on her. Why the bitterness towards her? I feel kind of bad for her. She isn’t cut out for this kind of ruthlessness.
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@Tess, Patti Smith was married to Fred Smith, another ‘underground’ rock star. Or maybe you’re thinking of Patty Smyth, who is married to John MacEnroe, another bad-tempered jerk.
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Well I like The Velvet Undergrounds music and I liked Lou. He was a pioneer. But hey he didn’t have to be an @$$hole about it did he. Any way the man’s day was 40 years ago. He should be happy people still want to cover his music!
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coup, I might be completely wrong, but I think unless a song is public domain, if it’s used in any sort of commercial setting, like a TV show, you have to get the rights from the artist. There’s still some hold outs on American Idol too, people who won’t let their stuff be used, and I think music rights often hold up older TV on DVD releases and have been problems during a few recent political campaigns.
Whether he’s being jerky about it, just doesn’t want HER to do it, sells it out to commercials, whatever I don’t know, it’s his to do with as he wishes.
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She would butcher it anyway, so good for Lou. It isn’t like he is obligated to let anyone use his stuff. She needs to come up with her own.
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CandyKay, yup. I was thinking of Patti Smith, and you’re right about Laurie Anderson.
I have a vague memory, tho, of reading a mag article, maybe in the Sunday NYT, about Patti Smith and Lou Reed being together….but I must be wrong.
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How, exactly, is Lou Reed being disrespectful to Susan Boyle by denying her permission? It’s not like he bitch slapped her to underscore his point. It’s his permission to give and he didn’t give it. Seems pretty straightforward and fine to me.
And #12, I think your statement is true but also assumes that he wants more exposure/more record sales. As far as I know, Lou Reed just sits around, performs sometimes, occasionally does an interview, and then does more sitting around. I don’t think he gives two nickels how “exposed” his song gets. And on the flip side of that argument, the song is covered by another artist and featured in a Target or somesuch commercial already, so if he was after exposure, he got it there.
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I’m not defending Reed on walking out on the interview, but it is common knowledge that if one questions him about his older work (i.e. whatever came before the project he’s promoting), you’ll get the mother of all freak-outs. It just strikes me as odd that no one–neither the inverviewer nor the research team–would encounter documentation of his abhorrence of ‘high school renunions’.
I wonder what he would be like if he weren’t married to lovely Laurie Anderson. I was shocked to learn that he’s absolutely obsessed with Jersey Boys.
Unrelated: it’s frosh week and my bedroom window is busted. My wizened and cynical circuitry cannot stand strong when confronted with youthful joy. Why can I hear their revelry from my home? Still better than the night flights of Oktoberfest back home, I don’t miss that at all.
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It is well known that Lou Reed is a notorious douchebag but that being said he is also an artist and its his right to choose who sings his songs. As for the comment about exposing this song to a younger generation, he did allow Duran Duran to cover Perfect Day back in 1995 and they did it true justice. There have been several interpretations of the lyrics of the song, one being an allusion to Reeds romanticized attitude toward his heroin addiction. Not really suited for SuBo.
I dont see the “younger generation” really listening to SuBo anyway. Isnt her fan base pretty much older women? Her voice and style are not suited to the song. She should stick to campy show tunes.
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Back in my struggling youth I used to serve Lou Reed his eggs at a hot spot NY restaurant. To say he was a jerk is an understatement. He was awful.
Still, I can respect his decision not to let her perform the song.
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What a bitch he is.
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I’m surprised to see so many comments supporting Lou Reed’s actions here. I’m no Susan Boyle fan, but I think this is a really dickish thing to do.
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I don’t see how this is disrespectful to Susan. It’s his song and he can do what he likes with it. I don’t know why the show didn’t get permission first or why Susan didn’t have another song prepared. Not very professional.
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I didn’t say younger I said new. And perhaps generation was the wrong word, let’s say group of people. Besides that after No Doubt released It’s My Life, Mark Hollis from Talk Talk said in an interview that he made more money from that recording of the song than anything the band itself had actually released. I am no fan of SuBo but I do know that she had the top selling international album last year and Lou Reed had what? There’s artistic integrity and then there is stupidity.
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Yeah, like punching a kitten who butchers every song it comes across and then gets praised for bitchslapping music.
Team Lou Reed.
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I’m stunned permission was not sought prior to Boyle practicing her first notes (shame on the show, those folks know better — you think they wanted the story to come out this way?). I would have refused too, so good for Reed, and not for anything to do with Boyle, but because I wouldn’t want to lend tacit support to the show. What are Reed and Anderson up to these days? Concert for dogs, those lucky dogs.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2010/may/14/lou-reed-laurie-anderson
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My best friend has a husband who’s been crazy in love with her for 20 years. He recorded this song for her for Valentine’s this year. When I hear it now, it makes me feel thankful. As such, I’m glad I don’t have to hear Boyle’s version of it, it would have wrecked it for me.
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He denied her permission at the last moment. If he’d told her before she practiced the song to perfection, I’d be a little more on his side. But he pretty much pulled the rug out from under her. What a dick move.
This story actually shocked me. I thought Lou Reed was dead.
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Bill Hicks may very well be God, but certainly he, along with CandyKay and voodoobetty, is definitely right in this case. Reed has made an art form of being a grumpy f*cker.
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@49 (sorry–can’t read the name)
I don’t think Lou Reed is caring about the money here. It’s not the point.
Which is surprising coming from a former Warhol-Factory-hanger-on, but still. I know he’s a dick, but I’d have thought he was MORE of a dick if he let such a crappy singer use such a lame platform to sing his song with the justification that he’d get a huge cash payout.
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He denied her permission at the last moment. If he’d told her before she practiced the song to perfection, I’d be a little more on his side. But he pretty much pulled the rug out from under her. What a dick move.
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Susan Boyle has become a symbol to me. Her story has made me believe in happy endings. Her story has made me think that I can be true to myself and my beliefs and come out a winner in spite of all odds. She has given me hope, an emotion I’ve never had any use for before. Its not because I like her “campy show tunes” but because she’s a winner.
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I was under the impression that Susan Boyle was supposed to be doing a duet with Lady Gaga?
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Good on you Lou. Your art is above shit like America’s Got Talent. I loved how they used Perfect Day in Trainspotting and one of my best memories is of being drunk in a bar one night when Perfect Day came on the duke box and everyone in the bar started singing it. Sorry, Kaiser , but I don’t want the next generation thinking that Perfect Day is a Susan Boyle song.
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Yay Lou!
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@Amian – LOL, that’s exactly what I said, wtf.
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Lady Gaga and SuBo? I’m sure I heard that somewhere before but I actually think it might be awesome in it’s unconventionality…
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Call me a philistine but I barely know who he is and I don’t know that song. I listened to it and thought it sucked. Sorry.
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@lucy – yeah, i think it’s something like that, there’s definitely something in IP law about you can use someone else’s stuff w/o permission, but not if it’s for “commercial” (money-making) purposes – which is a pretty huge exception.
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@63: You’re a philistine!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xg2NvkySuN4
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“Most of us know that at her birth, Susan’s brain was deprived of oxygen leaving her with some lifelong difficulties, what is Lou Reed’s excuse?”
Amen to that!
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Wow, in order to shit on Lou Reed from such great heights some of you guys must’ve achieved a lot with your lives.
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@#63
I agree; I think a lot of people claim to “get” the Velvet Underground because it gives them some cred.
If anyone’s ever read anything about the Factory/Velvet Underground, they’d know that the whole reason Andy Warhol supported this group was to see how much crap he could pawn off as talent onto the public.
It worked, but somehow, along the way, they forgot that it was a joke and actually took themselves way too seriously.
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@Chris: Have you put Lou on such a high pedestal that no one is allowed to criticize him? That might be the perspective to view it from depending if your concerns are decency to human beings or art.
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This is all down to the show not getting clearance at least a week or two beforehand. Stupid to leave it that late. And I don’t blame Lou though he should get his pants unwadded.
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Sorry, but in my opinion it was a douchey move on his part. Big time. I don’t know much about Lou Reed at all, but my opinion of him based just on this story alone would be: elitist, arrogant, pretentious douche. Get over yourself already, damn.
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Maybe he just doesn’t like the show and doesn’t want to be connected to it. I know I wouldn’t.
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“Susan is a very sensitive soul, and she takes her work very seriously…”
Bitch please. If that was the case she would have had a back-up song ready. Ever heard of having a plan B?
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The ‘legal issues’ arent complicated in a matter like this.
It’s simple: Lou Reed didnt want his song’s image destroyed/altered by Susan B.
That’s his right as an artist!
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Amazing thing about this story: I found out that Lou Reed IS still alive. . . who would have known?
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He denied her permission at the last moment. If he’d told her before she practiced the song to perfection, I’d be a little more on his side. But he pretty much pulled the rug out from under her. What a dick move.
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Unless they sought clearance before she rehearsed and prepped, he wouldn’t have known she was planning on perorming it. How ridiculous of the show not to get clearance early on in the process. To assume that Lou would give clearance is short-sighted. And if she burst into tears and lost her shit over this, she is SO not appropriate for this business. How long is she going to be coddled and protected from the disappointing parts?
And yeah, Lou’s a bit of a dick, but I still like him.
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I’m sure he had his reasons.
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I love that song. Seems like they should have gotten the permissions sorted out well ahead of time and had a backup if it was still up in the air.
Also wouldn’t most singers would have something of a repetoire they can draw from?
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He should have looked at it like he’s gonna get more attention for that song. A new generation would have been introduced to it. Big dummy!
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BOOOHOOOOOO SuBo should have had a backup song…hello! Doesn’t she have her songs on her album memorized? It is Lou Reed’s right legally to say no. I’m sure this isn’t the first time he has said no to someone. He might not like her…what an evil thought…lol Since when was it wrong to have opinions about people? This just goes to show he probably does not do everything for money.
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Lou’s a cranky bastard. I’m sure he says no to a lot of things.
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Thank f**k common sense has prevailed. I can’t bear the thought of her singing – sorry, butchering, this classic song.Appearing on a “talent” show singing a cover version, why is that considered talent? Singing your own composition, That’s talent.
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Regardless of how he feels toward SB, he didn’t have to say it was because he “wasn’t a fan”. He could have found a more professional way of saying it. Making it personal just made him look like a big jerk. Guess what, Lou? Now I’m not a fan!
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