Thread: Starting with a song

Well just as the title says starting with a song, what I mean by this is starting the a book of with a song e.g in a funeral could it work do you think? Do you also believe it is an interesting idea and if it did work could it touch the reader.

Unless the song's copyright hasn't been updated for twenty-plus years, it still belongs to the original copyright holder and hasn't become public domain. That means you need permission to use the lyrics. Without permission, you run the risk of being sued for improper use. There's a thing called 'fair use' which states you can use one or two verses, but I'd be wary about that. Free use does not extend to use in a novel.

To answer your question: No, I wouldn't be particularly pushed to read on if a first chapter started with a funeral and a song. It may be touching and it may evoke a feeling within the reader, but generally speaking you want your first chapter to be engaging and hook the reader. I just can't imagine being able to do that with a song and a funeral.

Nope...I wouldn't do it!

If you mean an original song, I think it could be great. I'm strongly thinking about starting a project of mine with a song/poem by one of the characters.

It might well be appropriate, though, if the book is buried among the remainders.

caelum - Now that can work - and has -something composed for the book, not something borrowed. And not too long.

Yeah I wasn't talking about a real song as as you said Sam W that's copyright, I meant an original one like caelum said that way its your own work in terms of the song.

I wanted to use 'The End', by The Doors, for a scene in a short story where the main character is drunk, playing Russian Roulette with a revolver, and reflecting on his mess of a life. I wove the song into the scene with lines like: 'Right now the killer was awaking before dawn, putting his boots on, and about to walk on down the hall.'

I tried this as I was aware of the copyright implications. Can someone say, regardless of how it may read, whether this would avoid breach of copyright, where the lyrics of the song aren't copied directly, but are woven into the narrative and not quoted word for word?

Thanks, Scott.