Band needs advice on using 'sacred music' (lyrics, single, rapper)

[daren/MRI]

We are looking for someone to help us translate the Arab singing and/or 'sacred music' { if they are Quaran recitations } We were sent two samples last year of 'singing' from the Middle East. Before we release the single ( we used the vocal samples to write this song ) I want to make sure it offends nobody nor is an offense to the nation of Islam. The song [Letters Never Sent] is actually a song about peace and not enacting on one's impulses to tell others off. I have always found Arabian scales beautiful and enigmatic. LNS was supposed to celebrate this musical world and not be political in any way but simply an artistic journey; I am even playing Arabian scales in guitar solo. Therefore, if anyone can help us translate or offer us insight we would be most appreciative/.

Letters Never Sent




Including the lyrics here to show that this is not a political song:

Letters Never Sent
© 2008 MRI

Music & Lyrics by Daren Thomas Turner
© 2008 Page Turner Publishing Ltd. All Rights Reserved


Letters Never Sent

Letters never sent to no one
Written out of passion storming
Sentences of self destruction
Stacked inside a box of donuts
Scrawled onto gum wrappers
Etched into walls

Letters never sent to no one
Sticks and stones will break your homework
Habit of possessive language
Harsh, direct, imperfect wording
Scrawled on old newspapers
Etched into stones

Letters never sent to no one
Each replacing of the former
Burning not a bridge too far and
Close enough to hear some laughter

Letters never sent to no one
Double negative to grow on…

[sleepy jack]

Okay first off, there's a huge difference between Arab and Muslim. Just because you're an Arab doesn't make you a Muslim; a Muslim is a follower of Islam. If you're going to walk around saying "oh this is an Arab song" and it has passages from the Qur'an you're going to offend people.

I doubt any moderate Muslims would care too much but the fanatics view the western culture as overly secular so they'd probably be incredibly offended. I mean they got all pissed off when Muhammad was in a cartoon strip.

[daren/MRI]

Originally Posted by sleepy jack

I doubt any moderate Muslims would care too much but the fanatics view the western culture as overly secular so they'd probably be incredibly offended. I mean they got all pissed off when Muhammad was in a cartoon strip.

This was along the lines of what we were thinking. Also, I appreciate your pointing out to me the parlance/the difference between Arab and Muslim I was using them interchangeably & incorrectly here as you point out.

Letters Never Sent is a really beautiful song I hope we don't have to go live with Salman Rushdie in order to listen/produce it ;p. We were worried that some fanatical sects might not get it at all if the song went on to get heavy exposure and/or rotation on web radio. Thanks for your input very much here. We put the tune up on Mixposure Radio in the #4 playlist spot as more of a litmus test and public opinion/research on this issue. We are looking for a translation/translator too so hopefully this will help us find one as well.

[5-Track]

So long as your intent is good and you are rendering to the world what is the world's and so forth, you reap what you sow and no pianos will fall on your head or python feet will squash you. Check out Hazrat Inayat Khan for more along these lines. But if you're "just trying to sell records" then you'll all probably go to hell. I wouldn't worry about it.

[daren/MRI]

Originally Posted by 5-Track

So long as your intent is good and you are rendering to the world what is the world's and so forth, you reap what you sow and no pianos will fall on your head or python feet will squash you. Check out Hazrat Inayat Khan for more along these lines. But if you're "just trying to sell records" then you'll all probably go to hell. I wouldn't worry about it.

thank you very much for this; makes perfect sense. i think we're in the clear as making money has never been a priority of MRI if i were then we would have given up a long time ago ;-) This song is about non-violence and not enacting on one's impulse to tell people off, hurt feelings & burn bridges. We can even donate a % of royalties to a charity of Islamic/Middle Eastern origin as a gesture of respect and healing energy. any thoughts on that?

cheers-
Daren

[Kamikazi Kat]

Originally Posted by daren/MRI

thank you very much for this; makes perfect sense. i think we're in the clear as making money has never been a priority of MRI if i were then we would have given up a long time ago ;-) This song is about non-violence and not enacting on one's impulse to tell people off, hurt feelings & burn bridges. We can even donate a % of royalties to a charity of Islamic/Middle Eastern origin as a gesture of respect and healing energy. any thoughts on that?

cheers-
Daren

Well, it depends on the exact reasoning behind it. If you don't feel its neccesary to donate some of the funds, but want to do it only to stop some super muslim man from pissing all over your song, then that really isn't really a good reason. If you feel you would be doing something good by donating, if you really want that money to go toward a charity, go ahead. You shouldn't feel obligated to donating money to a charity just because you used a sample from a song that has lyrics from the Quaran.