On Copyright

The Fair Use Doctrine allows for quotes "for purposes such as criticism [and] comment". I've even checked the actual law code, quoted below. This blog, with its intention to critique and comment on songs, falls under that "fair use" heading.

That said, I will reword a review to omit all song lyrics if the copyright holder requests it. I realize that the line for "too much" is subjective, and the music industry has its reasons for being sue-happy.

Still, I find it odd that we don't hear about poets suing over quotes from their poems, which can be shorter than songs, and don't have the music and vocals in the final presentation, besides.

§ 107 · Limitations on exclusive rights: Fair use

Notwithstanding the provisions of sections 106 and 106A, the fair use of a copyrighted work, including such use by reproduction in copies or phonorecords or by any other means specified by that section, for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching (including multiple copies for classroom use), scholarship, or research, is not an infringement of copyright. In determining whether the use made of a work in any particular case is a fair use the factors to be considered shall include—

(1) the purpose and character of the use, including whether such use is of a commercial nature or is for nonprofit educational purposes;
(2) the nature of the copyrighted work;
(3) the amount and substantiality of the portion used in relation to the copy- righted work as a whole; and
(4) the effect of the use upon the potential market for or value of the copy- righted work.

The fact that a work is unpublished shall not itself bar a finding of fair use if such finding is made upon consideration of all the above factors.

[Emphasis mine]