End of the World

I sought permission, this week, to use two lines from the 1962 hit, "The End of the World" in my forthcoming book. I was quoted $200 or 10% up front (nearly R3,000), not to speak of the rest to come. I said to my managing editor that the cost was "breathtaking". Yes, it's not cheap, he said. But consider, I would be quoting a tenth of the work in question. Or suppose I quoted "Ooh, I feel love" from Donna Summer's disco hit. That would be half of one of her finest creations! OBSERVATION: I can think of a good solution: say goodbye to two lines in my book. It won't be the end of the world.

POSTSCRIPT: I see that Donna Summer co-wrote the song with Giorgio Moroder and Pete Bellotte.