David Byrne performs Biz Markie’s ‘Just A Friend’

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Last night David Byrne performed at a benefit for I Respect Music at Le Poisson Rouge in NYC. The organization is working to get performing artists a cut of the royalties on radio play (right now that money goes to the original composer). The name of the organization is in reference to Aretha Franklin’s Respect, for which she never received any money from the countless radio broadcasts of her performance. David Byrne chose to performe Biz Markie’s Just A Friend last night, and before the show he explained why:

Mr. Markie didn’t write that tune (although he did probably write the rap). The drum and keyboard loop was lifted from a Freddie Scott recording, but the song was written by Gamble and Huff, the great songwriting team that wrote for The O’Jays and The Spinners. So chances are Biz Markie didn’t see any royalties from all the radio play that song got.

Watch the former Talking Heads front man in action below:

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