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Some say Pierce Hawthorne was streets ahead while creating Greendale Community Colleges school song.
Others would argue its a clear rip-off of The Way It Is by Bruce Hornsby.
But what can you do?
Thats just the way it goes.
You backed the wrong horse.
Im happy to hear people still enjoy it, he said in a recent conversation.
I havent watched it in awhile, so Ill probe the old memory here.
Are you generally somebody who enjoys granting permission to use your music in film and television?
I dont care as much anymore.
This often happens as one ages.
Strict licensing ceases to be an important part of your life.
That said, Im getting possibly more than ever.
Over this month Ive approved two songs like that.
But I dont stress about it any more, lets put it that way.
This is a good time to get Bruce Hornsby music.
The optics of this scene are interesting.
I thought,What the heck?Ive had people take the piss out of my songs.
Im fine with it.
When I saw the finished version of it, I thought it was quite a scream.
I thought it was great.
I know Chevy Chase a little bit, which helped.
Did you email him a critique about his piano-playing in this episode?No, I have not.
It was solid and serviceable.
I would give it a high grade for being unique.
Theres nothing else in the semi-vast library of The Way It Is cover versions.
Theres nothing that sounds like it.
Chevy is a creator with his own style.
Well, Im more interested in all of that now than when thatCommunityepisode came out.
I wasnt aware of any reaction at the time.
I just hope people got a laugh out of it.
Do people enjoy bringing this parody up with you?Actually, no.
Really?I havent received much feedback about it.
Ive never been stopped at an airport or grilled about theCommunityversion of The Way It Is until right now.
Maybe now the avalanche will begin.
Its nice to get recognized for it.
Is there a unifying factor here?Thats tough.
I always thought The Way It Is was like a novelty record in the best sense.
It sounded like nothing else on the radio at the time.
Theres not one but two improvised piano solos.
Thats hardly the formula for hit radio.
Thats my reluctant explanation after the fact.
I had to take action against a country aggregation that very much ripped off Mandolin Rain in their song.
That was a rare moment when I had to do something like that.
Of course, once you record a song, its fair game.
I think, legally, they can do whatever they want.
Theres not much the writer can do.
But lawsuits have not abounded in The Way It Is world.
