NPR's Says You

Posted: 3/15/2009 4:33:33 PM

From: Asheville, NC

Joined: 1/25/2008

The show I heard on 3/15/09 had them guessing on the definition of "filk". Apparently, it is the music from sci-fi movies or conventions. There was a lot of theremin talk.
Posted: 3/15/2009 8:56:04 PM
Thomas Grillo

From: Jackson Mississippi

Joined: 8/13/2006

I was a member of a local science fiction and fantacy club here in Jackson for many years about a quarter century ago.

We used to do a bit of filk singing. That's prettymuch where one makes up interesting lyrics for tunes based on popular films or stories. It was a lot of fun. Sometimes they would use the themes from a given film.

I wish I'd caught that program.
Posted: 3/16/2009 1:06:47 PM

From: Escondido, CA

Joined: 2/6/2008

"filk" is the term given to coming up with different lyrics to an existing song. While not a hard and fast requirement, the new lyrics are usually done for comedic effect.

So, for example Weird Al Yankovic's filk "Another One Rides the Bus" of Queen's "Another One Bites the Dust".

