It’s tough out there.
Cledus T. Judd is back with a new single and video – and he’s hoping that he doesn’t have to take this one down.
Of course the country music king of parody ran into some trouble with his last song “Meet Her,” which was a tribute to Ella Langley and her song “Be Her,” when Sony demanded that he take the song down.
Well Cledus was undeterred, and is back with a new song about his experience making parodies – and navigating the cease and desists that come along with it.
“Just Another Day in Parodies (Cease & Desist)” is a parody of the 2000 hit from Phil Vassar, “Just Another Day in Paradise.” And unlike his last song, this one has the approval of the original artist:
“As always, I’m excited for my fans, new and old, to see the new video for “Just Another Day in Parodies (Cease & Desist). My daughter and her husband were totally into making this video for me as well, and they did a great job once again. The budget is minimal, but the laughs are abundant. I also got Phil Vassar’s blessings on the song so hopefully folks will get to see this for more than a week.”
Cledus is undoubtedly a legend of the genre, carving out his own niche with his Weird Al-style parodies ranging from “I Love NASCAR, his take on Toby Keith’s “I Love This Bar,” to “(She’s Got a Butt) Bigger Than The Beatles,” inspired by Joe Diffie’s “Bigger Than The Beatles.” He’s released 12 studio albums over his 30-year career, while collaborating with artists like Shania Twain, Buck Owens, and of course Toby Keith.
He’s also dropped 36 music videos throughout his career, which Cledus tells Whiskey Riff he thinks of as his children:
“People been asking me for years what’s been my favorite video of all the ones I’ve ever done, and I tell them they are each like my children and I love ’em all the same. I’m popping out my 40th or 50th child tomorrow with the help of Whiskey Riff who has been so supportive on helping me with all these “kids” I call videos!!! I hope everyone will enjoy and laugh out loud!!!”
The song and accompanying music video will be everywhere tomorrow, October 2, but we’re pumped that Cledus is letting us bring you the first look – as long as it doesn’t end up getting us sued.
“Just Another Day In Parodies (Cease & Desist)” Lyrics:
“Man, I hope they don’t make me take this one down.
I’ll be bankrupt before you know it if they do
Artists screamin’, they hate my singing
My lawyer says that the mailman’s bringing me a stack of cease and desists
Man, I’m getting really sick and tired of this
After my last album, my accountant
Said I owed about a 100,000 in legal bills, retainer fees
Wish everybody would stop suing me, cause all I did was take a hit song.
Swear I didn’t know it when I rewrote it
That I was doing anything wrong
Well if Morgan Wallen’s mad at me
Well, it’s just another day in parodies.
Well, even Toby’s songs weren’t safe from me
It’ll go gold, you’ll see
But I won’t get any royalties
I quit my record label, in bankruptcy
Yeah, there’s just another day in parodies
I’m a big star, new cars
Never thought [music] I’d take a joke this far
At the CMAs I sit beside Jelly Roll and his ex-wife
But lately seems like I catch hell for every song I write
Funny videos, I’ve done a few
Making people laugh’s all I want to do
But last night I had a bad dream.
CMT banned me, Hardy couldn’t stand me
At least I got a fan in Riley Green
Well, lawsuits, legalese
It’s just another day in parodies
But there’s nothing else I could really sing
I’ll take one of Luke’s or two of them
I always had good luck with him
That’s my very own recipe for just another day in parodies
Shania Twain loved me
It’s just another day in parodies
Well, unlike Ella [bleep]
Cha-ching, cha-ching, I wish the cash register would ring
Oh, I bet I Weird Al would agree
It’s just another day in paradise.
Oh, hey, Stella. Yeah, I’d like to meet you, too. Yeah.
Sounds like we got a lot in common, if you know what I mean.
Hello?
The end… of my career”