en http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/uk/ Thu, 1 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000 Thu, 1 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000 60 http://www.audioscrobbler.net/data/webservices http://www.last.fm/user/dardar227/journal The Last.fm journal for dardar227. Last.fm journals are a place to talk about all things music. http://www.last.fm/user/dardar227/journal/2010/04/24/3l7r9h_misrepresented_videos_on_last.fm Sat, 24 Apr 2010 21:55:04 +0000 http://www.last.fm/user/dardar227/journal/2010/04/24/3l7r9h_misrepresented_videos_on_last.fm It seems to happen a lot on Last.FM, videos featured on songs or artist pages that does not show the actual artist or recording by the artist represented but instead by someone playing their own version on YouTube and it showing here. I won't give the guilty parties any more exposure than what they've already been given, therefore I am not linking any of the videos in question.

Case in point, some guy using Gino Vannelli songs, two that I know of "Lady" and "Summers Of My Life" and the recordings are background music, and for 3 or 4 minutes some really ugly paintings are shown. These songs are well over 30 years old, there's definitely some version (either live or video) out there of Gino Vannelli performing these songs himself. These recordings are not rare or hard-to-find yet are misrepresented and diminished to soundtracks to two very ugly paintings. Anyone, I mean any one can do this to any song. I could personally care less what the connection is with the songs or the paintings, I just don't want to see them on Last.FM as the "official" video.

The most common misuse of songs on Last.FM is when some "Joe Blow" decides to feature their cover of a song recorded from their house and use that video instead of the artists. Okay, it's great that they were inspired to perform the songs but they do not feature the artist or the recording that the page is reserved for. I'm sure if the artists or owners of the works would become more involved there would most certainly be some copyright issues that would force YouTube to remove the videos, but my issue is not with YouTube it's Last.FM's allowance to link videos that misrepresent songs.

As an avid music fan, like many others here, I enjoy Last.FM as a medium to bring fans together of not just an artist but especially songs as well. We've also given to Last.FM a part of our privacy so that our music habits are shared by allowing their software to monitor our music player software, such as iTunes and Winamp. To allow this intrusion proves our willingness to share and express our passion for music, the least Last.FM could do is be quicker at removing material that does not adequately represent music that is very dear to us. We all have memories and stories of the songs but I won't let my own distort or interfere with others or the artists by displaying my homemade videos. This isn't a talent show and if someone wants to share thoughts or memories, that's what the comments or shouts are for. If there are no official videos by the artists or someone can't use the song with at least pictures of the artist then it should not be allowed here. No ugly paintings, no covers.

If this bothers you too, please contact Last.Fm, YouTube, record labels or the artists. Let's get what doesn't belong here off!]]>