Copyright laws being what they are, unless an author has written permission from the songwriter (or doesn’t mind being sued for copyright infringement) including even a single line of song lyrics in a book or story is a big no-no. There are “fair use” exceptions, and if you’re interested in learning what those are, I’d encourage you to read this article on the Ingram Spark website. Song titles, on the other hand, just like book or movie titles, cannot be copyrighted.
Now, all this leads into the three times I’ve mentioned a song title in my novels, and each of those times has referenced a song by Blue Rodeo. In the thirty-plus years since forming, Blue Rodeo have sold over 4 million albums, won countless Juno awards, been inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, received a star on Canada’s Walk of Fame, been named to the Order of Canada and have been honoured with the Governor General’s Performing Arts Award. Their lead singers Jim Cuddy and Greg Keelor, friends since high school, have been playing music together professionally since completing university.
If you’ve never listened to Blue Rodeo, I’d encourage you to check out my favorite album: Just Like a Vacation.
And now, the mentions in the books:
Excerpt from A Hole in One: A Glass Dolphin Mystery #2
“I’ve got to get back to Lount’s Landing. Can you point me in the direction of Union Station?” Kevin stood up. “I’ll do you one better. I’ll walk you there.”
They were within spitting distance of Union Station when Emily noticed Chloe strutting toward them, chest thrust out, hands on hips, her black spandex tights and leopard-print top accentuating every curve. How long had she been following them? Since they’d passed her gym the first time? Or on the way back? Emily didn’t know and was relieved to find out that she didn’t care.
Unless, of course, Chloe knew more about Marc Larroquette than she had shared with Kevin.
Damn it. She’d have talk to Chloe.
But not today. Today, Chloe was Kevin’s problem. Emily patted Kevin’s arm, letting her hand linger slightly longer than necessary, then gave him a peck on the cheek.
She wound her way through the throng of commuters to Platform 26, humming Bad Timing by Blue Rodeo. It was time to go home.
Excerpt from Where There’s a Will: A Glass Dolphin Mystery #3
The DJ began playing Blue Rodeo’s Lost Together, a cue for Luke and Emily to take center stage for their first dance before inviting others to join in. Arabella pushed back a tear, watched the dance floor fill up, and contemplated the pairings.
Want to hear Lost Together? Watch the official YouTube video with Greg Keelor on lead vocals.
And finally, from Past & Present: A Marketville Mystery #2
I hung up and found myself humming a few bars of “To Make You Feel My Love.” I thought about the Barnstable family curse and laughed. More like “Bad Timing” by Blue Rodeo. Hell, almost anything by Blue Rodeo, especially if Jim Cuddy was the one singing it. That man had a voice made for sad songs.
Maybe this time would be different. I started humming again.
Yes, I know. An enormous catalogue of songs and two mentions of Bad Timing. What can I say? I love that song. Watch this official video on YouTube and you’ll understand why.
And now, it’s about time I listened to Just Like a Vacation again. I feel a story coming on…