Twelve years ago today, March 31, 2011, the Australian band Men At Work lost the appeal against a ruling that their now 40 year old 1983 hit song “Down Under” was plagiarized from the folk tune “Kookaburra Sits in the Old Gum Tree.” More than a baseless allegation, it’s an argument that appears beyond ridiculous. Check out the comparison on the blog.
Men at Work Flautist Greg Ham, depressed and dejected in the wake of such accusations, no longer laughing in the old gum tree, died soon thereafter in 2012, perhaps of a broken heart. Their song serves as a springboard for today’s playlist “Flute Thing – Pop & Rock Songs Featuring Flute.” Speaking of copying, the Beastie Boys “Flute Loop,” borrows the flute line from Al Kooper’s playlist title song “Flute Thing.” I suppose they credited the sampling, making it legal and acceptable.
So songs you know and love prominently featuring the flute include Firefall’s “You Are The Woman,” Van Morrison’s “Moondance,” The Mamas & The Papas “California Dreamin’,” Canned Heat’s “Going Up The Country,” The Beatles “The Fool On The Hill” and “You’ve Got To Hide Your Love Away” The Rolling Stones “Ruby Tuesday,” Marshall Tucker Band’s “Can’t You See,” “Heard It In A Love Song” and “Fire On The Mountain,” and several songs by Jethro Tull, The Moody Blues, Genesis, and Traffic.
https://listentothemusicblog.com/flute-thing-pop-rock-songs-featuring-flute/
