Actually, nobody “owns” a public domain song, because in a sense we all own it equally. Sure, they’re old songs. That’s what makes this work. And you may not use old recordings of these songs. Those recordings fall under a different form of protection and there are almost no public domain recordings that can be used as your own.

Just think, these songs are already proven hits. You’re free to pump it up, change the lyrics, add orchestration, to make it new and contemporary. Lay down a rap rhythm track, tweak the words to make it relevant today.

No lawsuits. No banning from YouTube. In today’s litigious society, it’s nice to know when you’re safe from the maws of greedy corporations and their greedier lawyers. Change the lyrics. Change the melody. Use it in a commercial, a school play, or an independent film. Use it as your theme song. Sell a million copies of it and get rich – lawsuit free!

Your new recording can even be copyrighted by you – but that only covers the musical arrangement. The song remains the same: in the public domain.

(Public Domain is not the same as royalty-free. Royalty free refers to copyrighted songs and recordings that can be used without paying royalties, but may still require a one-time payment for use.)

Culled from PDinfo.com, the following songs are among thousands that are up for grabs.

• Anchors Aweigh
• April Showers
• Bill Bailey, Won’t You Please Come Home
• By the Light of the Silvery Moon
• Chicago (That Toddlin’ Town)
• Danny Boy
• Give My Regards to Broadway
• How Dry I Am
• I Ain’t Got Nobody
• I Love You Truly
• In the Good Old Summertime
• K-K-K-Katy
• Let Me Call You Sweetheart
• Meet Me in St. Louis, Louis
• Oh You Beautiful Doll
• The Old Grey Mare
• Old MacDonald Had a Farm
• Over There
• Pomp and Circumstance
• Shine On, Harvest Moon
• St. Louis Blues
• Swanee
• Sweet Adeline
• Take Me Out to the Ballgame
• Tiger Rag (Hold That Tiger)
• Toot Toot Tootsie
• When Irish Eyes Are Smiling
• You’re a Grand Old Flag

One more thing… we’re talking just the U.S. of A. here. Each country has its own copyright laws, and there is no blanket international copyright agreement.

O.C. DeeDee

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