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“Bury me in analog” by Mischief Brew, even though it now feels slightly darker after Erik Petersen’s death.
“Please play this song on the radio” by NOFX
“Sell out” by Reel Big Fish
Killpop by Slipknot, that song is amazing. It’s very indirect, though, if I didn’t read an interview that it’s about the music industry, I wouldn’t have guessed it.
There’s a song about how it feels when you get your royalty check. I think that’s what it’s about… Cannibal Corpse - Meat Hook Sodomy.
So many songs by Muse which I find most amusing because they have an anti-corporate message but are made under a giant corporate label.
Specifically what comes to mind when it comes to the music industry itself are Showbiz and Uprising.
Have a Cigar, Pink Floyd.
Life’s Been Good to Me So Far, Joe Walsh.
Lito Shuffle, Boz Scags.
Jukebox Hero, Foreigner.
Piano Man, Billy Joel.
(Yes, I am old.)
Have a Cigar was the first song I thought of.
“Oh, by the way, which one’s Pink?”Primus’ rendition is also awesome. https://youtu.be/aEf0SpAEnIc?si=PVfnyKpxFRuslQXo
Not bad, but let me present you with the definitive cover: The Main Squeeze - that solo trounces everything, I’d go as far as, even the original.
A fun industry fact: Have A Cigar was sung by Roy Harper, as he happened to be in the studio and the members of Floyd thought he could be a good fit. Roy Harper is perhaps more known in the mainstream through the Zeppelin song Hats Off to (Roy) Harper than through his own recordings, though he’s still alive and active.
Harper didn’t feel like he was appropriately compensated for his work on Have a Cigar, which is ironic considering the overall thematic.
I love that some music industry asshole actually asked them that once, and the quote made it into the song.
I love that there’s a little guitar break right after that question, almost like a response
Reel Big Fish - Sell Out
Tool - Hooker With A Penis
I think Hank Williams III with the Grand Ole Opry Ain’t so Grand deserves a shout-out. Basically a song about how the institution that chewed up and then expelled his grandfather can eat shit.
Specifically about the girls perspective
I’d argue that Pink Floyd’s Comfortably Numb belongs here: AFAIK it’s about a band manager injecting the strung out musician with drugs, so he can get up and perform the show that night.
I think the most obvious album to point out which is about many things (including the abuse of the music industry) is To Pimp a Butterfly. I’m surprised I haven’t seen it here yet. Even the title is very on-the-nose – the “pimp” in reference is both the music industry and (more frequently) the US government/social structures, and the “butterfly” is a fledgling Kendrick/black rappers/black Americans in general (context depending on the exact song). It’s meant to be listened in exact order. Many people say it’s overrated but I really disagree. It’s an amazing narrative and powerful symbolism with good music.
Gillian Welsh - Everything is Free.
Great song about the difficulties of making a living off music now that everything is available for nothing. Father John Misty recorded a version when he was invited to the Spotify Sessions, which was a nice little fuck you to the people inviting him.
Jamey Johnson - Between Jennings and Jones
Well, some record executives found me one night I was singin’ half-lit, they said it sounded just right (right) Put my name on an album but they shelved all my songs
Death on two legs, by Queen, is a track of reckoning with their former manager.
Plus it’s a pretty little known but great early queen rock song. Freddie’s viciousness really spews out from it.
