So I had to do my version of “Father Figure” (Taylor Swift’s is a take on George Michael’s song “Father Figure”) from her new album “Life of a Showgirl.” Mixed in headphones (recommended for listening).
Youtube took this video down and gave me a copyright strike. Usually, when I do my own version I can upload the whole song. Guess the Swifty doesn’t put up with that - lol!
I love that you’re exploring these. What’s your process on them? Do you get the lyrics and chords only and then come up with your own melody?
Btw, both Taylor Swift songs were removed from YouTube and I now have my first copyright strike. Two more and my channel will be deleted. Been thinking about removing it anyway - this may push me over. I usually don’t get bothered when I do my own variation but I probably shouldn’t have done hashtag you know who. lol!
As for my process, I use Logic’s chord track and session players where I combine my own playing with programming the session players and then sing along until I come up with a melody I like.
No way! 
You got actual strikes, not just Copyright claims?
Yes - and get this - because it’s my first strike, it will go away in 90 days if I go to “Copyright Class.” You’d think it was a traffic ticket. And I refuse on principle because we all know others do it. My mistake was using hash tag taylorswift, I’m pretty sure that’s what gave me away. And YT is so inconsistent. If it’s under 1 minute, it’s okay. If it’s 3 minutes but they don’t recognize it, it’s okay. When you first upload it and YT says “no copyright” found, you’re usually okay. And if they find one, the owner usually says it’s okay but you can’t monetize it. My channel is nowhere near being monetized. I’m taking down my YT and really don’t know how to participate here because you really can’t upload covers anywhere else without getting formal approval in a distribution situation. And with YT gone, the songs I’ve uploaded can’t be heard anyway. So, this is it, I guess. Besides, I’m doing a writing challenge for October/November. So, see you all next FAWM.
That’s so disappointing all around!! I’m so sorry to see you go. How do you host and share your songs at FAWM? You could still do it that way here. But I do understand a busy month of multiple challenges is tricky.
Thanks, Savannah. Before I used YT for FAWM, I used either soundcloud or bandcamp but those are original songs. The official policy for both sites is no cover songs unless you have permission.
I’ve got covers on Bandcamp from last years Rocktober and they’ve not been removed. They are on for $0 so maybe it doesn’t matter if you aren’t trying to make any money. Think I’ve got covers on SoundCloud too, can’t remember.
You could try setting up a new YT account? I’ve got a second gmail address for my YT channel for my original songs.
There are loads of Taylor Swift covers on YT so it’s not that she doesn’t allow it like some artists. I wonder if the algorithm picked up the lyrics on the video and the strikes are against them rather than the cover itself?
i have hundreds of covers on bandcamp. they are very effective in drawing new listeners to my site.