Chapter 22

Since the day Li Mu was reborn, he had a clear understanding: anything that hasn't appeared yet can be claimed as his own. Although it might seem unfair to future generations, everything has its order, and who could blame him for being reborn?

Compared to those in the future who plagiarize and claim it as their original work, he had more integrity.

Thus, Li Mu decided to openly claim the originality of this song. Then, he suddenly thought of another folk song he really liked.

Technically, it would take many more years for this song to come out, but Li Mu really loved it. With such an opportunity to record, he wanted to record this song as well.

So, Li Mu said to Zhang Kexuan, "I have another original song. Since we have this opportunity, could you help me record it as well?"

When Li Mu mentioned he had another original song, the four band members and Chen Wan all perked up.

Zhang Kexuan hurriedly asked, "What style is it?"

"Folk."

"Great, let's start!"

The song Li Mu sang began with the simplest arpeggios, gradually building up, much like the song "Deskmate of Mine" by Lao Lang, which uses a harmonica with the simplest and most straightforward arpeggios to effortlessly create a classic, melodic, and touching folk song.

So, when the band members heard the very simple opening of Li Mu's song, they finally relaxed. The introduction didn't seem particularly outstanding, not as impressive as the previous "Zebra."

However, after a short arpeggio, Li Mu used a melodic hum to lay the groundwork for the true melody, much like the harmonica in "Deskmate of Mine," immediately creating a sense of elegance and transcendence.

The four band members became tense again, while Chen Wan was completely entranced.

After the introduction, Li Mu softly sang, "When you grow old, your hair turns white, and you feel drowsy..."

The five of them were stunned by this voice, their bodies stiffening.

The song "When You Grow Old" was almost universally known in the previous life. Different people had different feelings when listening to it. Some would think of growing old with their loved ones, while others would think of their already aged parents.

Li Mu was the latter. This song always made him think of his parents. In the previous life, his parents aged at a speed that caught him off guard, so every time he heard this song, Li Mu would have tears in his eyes. At the age of thirty-something, he would sometimes hide and shed a few tears of guilt.

Because the song touched the heart so deeply, it became a hit across the country that year and was covered by countless famous singers, spreading far and wide.

So, he was very eager to sing this song. As he sang, he shed tears, just as he did in the previous life.

Li Mu sang for five minutes. By the one-minute mark, Chen Wan was already in tears.

By the two-minute mark, the four band members also had red eyes.

If they had just listened to the song, they might not have been so moved. But when someone sang it with pure emotion right in front of them, it was hard not to be affected.

Chen Wan, who had just cried, looked pitiful. She choked up and asked Li Mu, "I feel like I've seen these lyrics somewhere, but I can't remember where."

Li Mu smiled slightly and explained, "The lyrics are adapted from a poem by William Butler Yeats, titled 'When You Are Old.'"

Zhang Kexuan asked, "Did you write the melody yourself?"

"Yes," Li Mu nodded, answering matter-of-factly.

Although Zhang Kexuan's musical skills were average, he had a good eye and said seriously, "If you have the chance to release a single with these two songs, it should have a good market."

Li Mu smiled and asked, "Do you think there's still a market for records?"

"Ah?" Zhang Kexuan was surprised and asked, "Why do you say that?"

Li Mu shook his head and smiled without answering.

The music industry in China has always lacked copyright protection. From its birth to its decline, it has been plagued by piracy. In the future, with the widespread use of the internet, MP3 format, and MP3 software and hardware, the traditional music industry, whether legitimate or pirated, will quickly decline, leading to the rise of pirated digital music.

Currently, many trial listening websites have emerged, attracting a considerable number of users, such as Real2000. User demand hasn't truly taken off yet, and the user base is still scattered.

The famous search engine Baidu will launch MP3 search and download services next year, open only to users with Chinese IP addresses, allowing unauthorized song downloads. This will quickly gather most of the trial listening and download users, making it a leader in copyright infringement.

Baidu's attitude toward MP3 copyright infringement will remain firm for the next few years, even facing lawsuits from major record companies, to protect the MP3 search and download services. The reason is simple: once MP3 players and mobile phones supporting MP3 playback become widespread, the market demand will expand to an unimaginable level, both for downloads and online listening.

At that time, major internet companies in China will all launch their own music listening and download services, and none will be exempt from copyright issues.

If a trial listening and download website is set up now, before the market heats up, and users are gathered, it will certainly become a massive project.

Li Mu thought about this and suddenly had an idea. Starting a trial listening website now, intercepting Baidu's future users six months in advance, would have a significant impact on Baidu. For a search engine, there is no one more in need of these users, more in need of user retention, and more in need of user stickiness.

Digital copyright issues won't be truly addressed until after 2005. The laws are not yet complete, and the cost and risk of infringement are low, but the market is large. The debate over copyright and related laws will continue for a long time, and it will take another ten to twenty years before they are truly enforced.

Now, if a trial listening website is set up, it won't take long. If the daily traffic can reach a million or more in a year or so, it will be possible to extort money from Baidu.

At the latest, by 2003 or 2004, when copyright issues begin to receive a little attention, it will be the right time to act or transform. That's decided!

Li Mu made up his mind, glanced at Zhang Kexuan, and his mind raced.

These four are all rich second-generation. Capturing them and having them assist in promoting and operating the trial listening website would be the best choice.

However, rich second-generation are wealthy and proud. How can he win their hearts?

After a moment's thought, Li Mu suddenly said to Zhang Kexuan, "By the way, I have another fast-paced song. The lyrics and melody are already complete, but it's not very suitable for my style. It has a strong rhythm and a very memorable melody. Are you interested? If you are, I can authorize you to use it in the competition."

Zhang Kexuan's eyes widened as he looked at Li Mu, "Li Mu, no, Brother Mu, are you serious?"

The drummer also stopped acting cool, "Brother Mu, you're right. I was just showing off with all those cymbals. You're a professional, don't take it personally..."

Li Mu's words had captured their hearts.

What do rich second-generation want from playing rock? Li Mu wasn't sure, but he knew it wasn't for money. If they wanted to make money, these four would be out of their minds.

If not for money, what else? Ideals? Not likely. Face? Partly.

Probably, the most important thing is to create a unique aura, to make people look at them differently, especially to make girls look at them differently.

Zhang Kexuan and the others' level, if compared nationally, might not even match a high school band. Yes, definitely not. The Flowers Band released their first album in 1999, and these four would need a few more years to produce an album of that quality.

So, when Li Mu said he was willing to give them a song for the band competition, they saw him as a god.

It was like a group of people still using fire drills to make fire, seeing a high-level expert pull out two different premium Zippo lighters and light two cigarettes. Even if they didn't dare to hope for a premium lighter, a simple box of matches would make them cry with gratitude.

"Brother Mu, what are your conditions?"

Li Mu pinched his chin, thinking that since they were offering, he shouldn't be too polite.

"Actually, there's not much. A transfer fee of 20,000 yuan, plus helping me run a music website in the future. If it goes well, I'll give you another song. If it goes very well, I'll give you three songs to release an EP."