T.O.D.
Ask BK Day:
This week, it seems like every time I turn on the Broadway Channel on Sirius XM I hear the song, "Always True to You in My Fashion." There is one verse regarding how going out on Clark Gable's boat could result in a sable coat. I am curious whether a songwriter, even someone as famous as Cole Porter; has to get permission to use a famous someone's name before it appears in a Broadway show.
I doubt it since Porter used a ton of celebrity names in "You're the Top," and I can think of the following: "Let's not Talk about Love" begins with:
"Let's speak of LaMarr, that Hedy so fair
Why does she let joan Bennett wear all her old hair?"
"Farming" includes:
"Now don't inquire of Georgie Raft
Why his cow has never calfed
Georgie's bull is beautiful but he's gay."
and
"The natives think it's utterly utter
When Margie Hart starts churning her butter"
or
"Miss Elsa Maxwell, so the folks tattle
Got well goosed while dehorning her cattle"