The Word Cloud

That Blake Morrison piece is an eye-opener, Emma. Thanks. It certainly solves the 'Do I put quotes in quotation marks or in italics?' question. The answer obviously is, it doesn't matter a hoot, I can't afford to include them in the first place! Not from song lyrics, anyway.
Like Wrath, I'm going to have to do a deal of re-writing. I have a passage where a couple of girls are listening to the Righteous Brothers, while discussing a friend's breakup. One of them says, 'She's certainly lost that lovin' feeling'. Would that cost me £500 quid, do you reckon?
Good tip about the direct approach.

I've just remembered a bit more from that passage in my book. I introduced the scene: one girl on her bed with her friend lying on the floor and I said, 'The Dansette by her side was complaining that she never closed her eyes anymore when it kissed her lips.' How would that fair, I wonder? Not a direct quote, but obviously somewhat derrivitive.

I read the Bkake Morrison article. Does this apply to song titles? I am still trying to finish a Greek novel and did include the whole of the lyrics to Bowie's 'Major Tom' It was appropriate as it suggests someone who is lost in outer space! What if i just use the words 'Major Tom?"

Mike, there's no copyright in a title, so you're okay. (But, equally, you can't stop anyone using a title that you've used.)

Tony it's not a direct quote you should be okay, as copyright isn't in the idea, but in the exact expression of it. (And I love that line - really funny!)

Given that the title of my first book is a song lyric, these last couple of posts are perhaps the most useful I have read on the Cloud. Thank you, Emma.