Planning a Birthday Bash? Pondering how much to spend? Then think again! If you’re planning to sing “Happy Birthday to You” you might have to spend more than you anticipated. The song “Happy Birthday To You” is not a public-domain composition, despite the 1998 Guinness Book of World Records declaring it to be the most recognised song in the English language. The melody was written, in 1893, by two kindergarten school teachers, sisters, Patty and Mildred Hill from Kentucky for the song “Good Morning to All.”The Summy Company, who owned the publishing rights of “Good Morning to All”, copyrighted “Happy Birthday to You” in 1935 as a song for hire. Eventually Time Warner Corporation bought the rights in 1998. So now a single use in a film or TV programme will cost around $10,000!

Until next time keep rockin’
The 0800 Jukebox crew.
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