Filk songs--yea or nay?

by **Parker Gabriel** » Wed Nov 21, 2007 5:40 am

This is to raise the question of possibly including "Captain Scarlet" filk songs (song lyrics, dealing with science fiction in some way, arranged to the music of popular chart selections) in the fan fiction. I have written at least four of my own. They are these:
"Indestructible," to the music, composec by Irving Gordon, of "Unforgettable," performed by Nat "King" Cole.
"No Earthman Will Survive(Captain Black's Song)," to the music, composed by Prince Rogers Nelson, of "Nothing Compares 2U," popularized by Sinead O'Connor.
"A Story In Scarlet," to the music, composed and performed by Dan Fogelberg, of "Same Old Lang Syne."
"One-Part Harmony," to the music, composed by Hachidai Nakamura, of "Sukiyaki," performed in English by A Taste Of Honey, whose version had used lyrics written specifically for it by Janice Marie Johnson.

All four were originally published in Power Star, and permission is hereby granted to reprint them in the Fan Fiction section, if that meets with the Colonel's approval.

by **Captain Indigo** » Wed Nov 21, 2007 6:02 pm

My apologies - I misunderstood your question. I have no objections to filk songs being posted on the site (although whether they fall under the re-mit of 'fan fic' or not is questionable).

What I thought you meant was placing songs inside a fan fic a la JRR Tolkein. They were the WORST part of Lord of the Rings, IMO.

by **Elentari** » Fri Nov 23, 2007 5:27 am

I voted nay.

I've seen too many that simply aren't all that funny - and if you don't know the tunes they're based around they mean even less to the reader.

by **chrisbishop** » Fri Nov 23, 2007 5:16 pm

I voted nay too - for about the same reasons as Elentari.

Sorry, they just don't appeal to me.

Website · by **Sage** » Fri Nov 23, 2007 6:49 pm

I don't mind songfics* as a rule, or fanvids**; but overall filks aren't really my thing. Too easy to mess them up, and the impact to get lost in translation.

I'm fairly au fait with music, but have only heard of two of those songs mentioned, and could only hum one. So yeah I wouldn't read them either.

Not to say they shouldn't be written, it's just a personal preference.

* i.e a story which features quotes from song lyrics, often though not always, the plot echoes/revolves around said lyrics.

**compliations of shots/clips from a series put together and set to a song, like a music video. Generally they work better than songfics because you have the relevant music right there for context.

by **Parker Gabriel** » Fri Nov 23, 2007 11:10 pm

I abide by the Colonel's decision. The poll AND the thread may now be closed at the Colonel's discretion.

by **Parker Gabriel** » Tue Aug 05, 2008 8:29 pm

Formal request is hereby officially made for the locking of this thread so that no future contributions may be added to the same.