Throughout history, the need for patrons has been a reality for many artists. This is a fascinating example of the ethics of it all, and also, the fundamental question of who owns the music?
Everyone is in fact free to cover any song they like without the author’s permission as long as they don’t “degrade” the original in any way. The Ozempic ad plays the melody as straight as you can get, so there is no way the author can complain there.
Yet what of the product? The list of qualifiers at the end is mind blowing. Simply put, known side effects.
Is the song degraded by association with a drug with known side effects? A million dollars might be enough for you not to care.
Ultimately, I don’t think I care that much either. I’m glad the songwriters made some money. It actually doesn’t change the Pilot original in any way.
Advertising is an ever present symbol of our current cultural landscape. Can’t live with it, can’t live without it.
When we’re seeing artists having their entire catalogues sold to corporate entities like Spotify for peanuts, I find it hard to judge them too harshly for getting paid something.
Great article. An important question and a pointed example.