Custom song edits on Matinee

Today's show on lyricist Yip Harburg includes a special edit combining the "If I Only Had A..." songs of the Wizard of Oz. As fans of the movie recall, Dorothy comes across her Oz friends one at a time on the Yellow Brick Road, and each is introduced with their own verse, followed by a dancing segment and the theme, "We're off to see the wizard...." While the music is charming, the point of the Matinee show was to feature Harburg's words. A few minutes with a digital editing program, and we get a three-and-a-half minute piece with the classic lyrics.

This happens more frequently than I let on, to be completely honest. Even in the Jitterbug, the an outtake from the Wizard of Oz, the dance sequence goes on a very long time. It's fun to listen to the whole thing occasionally, but not on the radio when I want to get on to the next song. Mark the start and end of the cut, hit delete, and we have a new version of the song.

It's also necessary to make some changes to songs that contain certain language. The rules aren't mine, but technically the airwaves aren't mine either. Swear words have a shock effect, and are appropriate at times on the stage, but not on the radio. Most importantly, the fines are retroactive -- IF we get a valid complaint, THEN we are fined by the F.C.C. There are also no clear guidelines as to what is and is not allowed on the air. Without the legal means to appeal a fine, or the finances to pay the hefty fines, we are forced to censor ourselves, and err on the side of caution. When there is a song worth sharing but it contains objectionable language, I'm forced to cut out the word(s) and insert silence there. I didn't have to do that in today's show, but I have several examples from previous shows.

Incidentally, I do not have the rights to distribute my own special edits of songs in any way except by playing them occasionally on the radio. If you have heard something that's not available on a CD and would like to hear it again, feel free to post a comment on the blog here. Thanks for listening!