Remember in college
when your professor gave the class a research assignment and you had to use a minimum of three sources with the caveat that you couldn’t use Wikipedia because Wikipedia wasn’t a credible source?
Yeah, that was then; this is now.
To this day, one of the first places I look when I’m trying to find information is on Wikipedia. It’s yet to steer me wrong. Well, until now. Maybe.
A few months ago, I had MTV or one of its offshoots on and a vaguely familiar song started playing and my ears perked up. I said out loud to no one, “Ooh, who is that?”
The song was “We Used to be Friends” by the Dandy Warhols. I’d heard of the group — in passing — but knew nothing about them. Apparently, I’d heard this particular song — God knows when — but didn’t know the name of it much less who sang it. From MTV, I noted the song and group because I wanted to explore further.
I went to You Tube and listened to it about a dozen more times before I was satiated.
“Bohemian Like You” is the other song by the Dandy Warhols I discovered I really like. (This is where Wikipedia comes in.) At the beginning of this song, it sounds very much like a Rolling Stones’ song…after the drum part, I mean. Was that “Brown Sugar?” I was delighted, but how did the Dandy Warhols get away with using the guitar riff from a Stones’ song without getting sued? Did they get permission? I was curious.
You know where I went to get cursory background info on this.
On the Wikipedia page for this song under the Critical reception section, the second paragraph states (I cut and pasted directly from there),
The A.V. Club noted the various influences from “retro” music present in the song, including how the guitar intro seems to imitate that of “Little Bitch” by the Specials as well as “Jumpin’ Jack Flash” by the Rolling Stones.[6]
SAY WHAT?!!!!
“Jumping Jack Flash?” No. No, no, no! It’s “Brown Sugar.” I think.
Also, I have no idea who the A.V. Club is nor do I want to know at this point because I’m kind of incensed if they’re the reason why this information is WRONG and I want nothing to do with them!!!!! Let’s just say that if I were the Soup Nazi, they would never get any soup again!
Instead, I went to You Tube and found “Jumping Jack Flash.” After that, I listened to “Brown Sugar.” Then my mind exploded because all of a sudden I couldn’t seem to distinguish one from the other in relation to the Dandy Warhol’s song. Let me tell you, in my world where music means so very much to me, that is just fu…messed up!
Obviously, since I could no longer rely on my blown mind, I played the first part of “Bohemian Like You” to my writer’s group; and Wendy immediately said, “Oh, that’s ‘Brown Sugar.'”
Thank you, Wendy!
With my sanity mostly restored if still a little wobbly, some in my writer’s group think I should change the Wikipedia page to credit the right Stones’ song.
Who, me? As if. *snort, giggle!*
On one hand, it bothers me that Wikipedia may be in error in this matter. On the other hand, it’s kind of cool to know there’s Wikipedia info that I’ve actually found that’s flat-out wrong. At least I think it is. This is a first for me. The point is, I know if I changed it, someone would come back and explain to me how and why I was so wrong and make me change it back to the way it was and then my whole world would fall apart from embarrassment.
After all, I am not exactly what you’d call a credible source.
My questions are: if any of this actually mattered to you, what would you do? Would you change the Wikipedia page? Would you just roll your eyes because you have more important things to think about and this is not one of those things? Have you ever found misinformation on Wikipedia? If you did, what did you do? Did you change it? Why or why not? Spill. I’d like details, please!
Now all the music! (It’s fun to play any of these songs and then go back to the top and watch Gru dance! Hey, if you want, dance with him. No one’s watching!)
From the Dandy Warhols
and
now for the STONES
and
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HAVE A GREAT WEEK AHEAD, WAYWARD FRIENDS!
Mona
The Dandy Warhols were well after my time, but I see what you mean by the intro being an almost direct rip-off of Brown Sugar. Did the Wiki article say how they got away with it (regardless of which song it was stolen from)? I don’t think just saying it’s “retro” gives you the freedom of using it for free. There’s always an organization that want’s it’s cut even after the composer/musician/inventor is long gone. But the Little Bitch by the Specials is a 100% copy! MICK! You’re not so old that you can’t be aware of this stuff!
Hey Barbara,
It didn’t. The world feels slightly off-kilter because of all these things! Purely speculation, but maybe Mick, Keith and Co. consider this flattery and that they’re too big to go after bands like these. I dunno, the whole thing’s a mystery. It’s disturbing that the wrong song is cited though! How could they get something so simple so wrong? Aack!
The problem with Wikipedia is that is a public collaboration and anyone can make changes – which, technically kind of skews the information. Now, don’t get me wrong – I use Wikipedia ALL the time for random information and I think the majority of people contributing are robust in the particular knowledge that they are sharing. Music though is more nuanced than; say the details of a particular date in history. So, for me, I’d scroll on by and leave it alone – but then again, as much as I like music – and I do – this isn’t something that I would chew on. If it were, I might feel differently.
So glad to see you posting again!
Gigi,
Exactly. It is a public collaboration. Realizing that I’m part of the public, it stands to reason that I could right this wrong. I have the opportunity. This is literally the first time I’ve run into this situation. My inclination is to just let it go because I’m not an expert even though this is a pretty safe bet. My question is whether you or others have run into a situation where you’ve found something obvious to you on Wikipedia that was wrong and whether you fixed it or just left it alone? This is the first time I’ve run into something on Wikipedia that’s wrong. It’s obscure and doesn’t amount to a hill of beans. I think it’s part of human nature or, perhaps, being a former Girl Scout, to right what’s wrong when one can. See what I mean? As a human being, a good citizen and all that jazz, if I can fix something out there in public, right a wrong, should I? Is it my civic duty? Maybe it’s time to get Mick and Keith on the case. Presumably, they are experts on this subject. You don’t happen to have their phone numbers, do you? Oh, wait… Jagger’s got Covid. Maybe I’d just bother Keith, then. 😀
I correct Wiki on something. They had info wrong on the little brown church I go to every year. I fixed it. LOL
Boo,
Good for you! I think its important to do that if you can. Not sure why I feel so hesitant to do the same! M
So glad I found your blog and have subscribed! Chris G
Christine,
Welcome to Wayward Sparkles! I’m glad you found me, too. Have a great week ahead! Also. I’m glad I found your blog, too! Looking forward to reading your blog on a regular basis!
Mona
I had to fix my grandpa’s wiki because somebody didn’t believe he made it to 102, and they put another person’s death date in there.
Sarah,
Your grandfather has his own Wikipedia page? How do I not already know this?!!!! So that’s very cool that he lived to be 102. What is his name if you would like to share? I’d love to look him up! 😊 M
Hello! I’m coming to your blog through a comment you left on Ally’s The Spectacled Bean. It’s nice to “meet” you. I rely on Wikipedia quite a bit, but if it’s something important, I will look for corroborating evidence. I’ve never corrected Wikipedia, but if I felt confident in the source of my knowledge, I would. I hope you will update us on what you decide to do!
Christie,
Welcome to Wayward Sparkles and it’s nice to meet you as well! I love Ally Bean and her perspective! I think what you said about being “confident” is what’s holding me back. Am I confident about this? I want to believe I am. Others who have heard the start of this song have agreed this is “Brown Sugar” and not “Jumping Jack Flash.” I suppose the very worst thing that would happen is that someone just changes it back to the way it was. I’m still thinking about this. Stay tuned to see what I’ll do! 🙂 Mona
In that case, I say go for it!
I’ve looked into it. Seems a bit more involved than I realized.
I’m sure there’s a way to edit Wikipedia but I’ve got too much else going on to look into doing it. Admittedly I do work in a library and we’ve had some occasional Wikipedia “edit-a-thons” where library staff will update and correct Wikipedia information. Accuracy is very important to librarians. But no source is perfect.
In defense of The A.V. Club, though, they’re a spin-off of The Onion, so it’s ironic that they come from a fake news site but their reviews are generally thorough and well-researched. But, hey, no source is perfect.
I just wish I’d had Wikipedia in college. A lot of false information that got passed around by my friends might have gotten corrected. Or not. You know, no source is perfect.
Christopher,
How did I not know you worked in a library? I’ve always wondered what you did, but I figured that it wasn’t up to me to ask. That explains why you’re so knowledgeable about so many things. Well, even if you didn’t work in a library, you’d still be knowledgeable, no doubt. Okay, I’m going to stop talking now because I can see myself inadvertently getting into trouble by offending you, when that was never the intent. Sorry about that. Let me try this again. I think it’s very cool that you work in a library and I’m sure they benefit by your vast personal knowledge!
And I lied, because I think it’s very cool that the librarians will get together and do Wikipedia “edit-a-thons.” Please accept a hardy thank you to you and your erudite colleagues for keeping straight what they can on Wikipedia.
Also, now that you’ve given me some insight into the A.V. Club, I’m more curious than ever about them. Perhaps, I go on their site and bring this up and if they agree with me, they correct their contribution to this page…if need be. This seems like the more appropriate way to deal with this than just changing their stuff on Wikipedia. Also, if I’m wrong (I usually am), they can enlighten me. I know you stay super busy, Chris, so I truly appreciate your kind and regular input to Wayward Sparkles, my friend!
Lastly, because in the long run, it probably doesn’t matter that much, the fact that this is probably in error and I’ve caught it…it’s kind of my nod to the fact that nothing is perfect and I’m okay with that and may leave it be. Or at least I’m trying to be okay with that. That’s one reason not to change it on my end. Damn, just sitting here by myself can be so difficult at times! *sigh*
Hugs, Mona
I’ve never made an edit on a Wikipedia page – but I’m not saying I wouldn’t, especially if the error is flagrant and you have the sources to back you up!
Hey Roger,
I think that’s the problem. I’m not an expert with sources to back myself up other than listening with my own ears and a couple of other people who agree with me. The original source, of course, would be the Rolling Stones. Unfortunately, I don’t have a way to get in touch with them. You don’t happen to have Keith Richards’ phone number in your back pocket do you? 🙂 If you do, and I was able to call Keith and get his blessing to change the damned page (he, presumably doesn’t even know about this), then I would have the ultimate source to back me up. And a helluva a story to write about! Ah, well. One can only dream.
That reminds me, did you hear the recent story about Kevin Bacon finding out on Jimmy Kimmel that there’s a fast-food restaurant in Argentina that uses his name and image? If you don’t and you’re interested, you can read about it at
https://www.mashed.com/895979/why-kevin-bacon-isnt-jazzed-about-an-argentine-restaurants-name/
Mona
I admit I try my hardest not to use Wikipedia…
There are other sources. 🙂
Mona, I am not making this up (irony intended) regarding Wikipedia possibly making things up, having the wrong info, etc…but just this morning I was listening to my sports talk radio station and one of the hosts (a former pro hockey player) was lamenting the fact his middle name is always listed incorrectly on Wikipedia. He actually has had people ask him where he got that middle name from – the name they saw on Wikipedia…and it’s not his middle name. I think a bunch of us have considered Wikipedia the place to go for answers, but as it is constructed, you can’t accept everything you see there as 100% factual in any instance.
Hey Bruce,
Isn’t that funny about both the timing of my post and the fact that you just heard about Wikipedia having wrong info on this hockey player? I guess the former pro hockey player didn’t feel the need to change his info either? So now I’m curious…what does Wikipedia say his middle name is and what is it really? I looked into changing the error I caught, but the criteria to edit started getting complicated for me. At this point, I can live with the fact that the song they listed is WRONG!!!!!! Ack!
I agree with you that you can’t always rely on the info on Wikipedia, but still…until something better comes along, it will be my first go-to when I want to look something intriguing up!
Also, I loved what you did there…”not making this up”…hehehe!
Have a great rest of your week, Bruce! Mona