The Back Alley Archives

As Debbie Ridpath Ohi's compilation What Is Filk?[1]and the Interfilk What Is Filk page[2] each demonstrate, there is no consensus definition of filk, though one could divide the different proposed definitions by their focus on the content and style of filk music or the cultural aspects of filking as an activity.[original research?]

One definition is based on filk as a genre: filk is folk music, usually with a science fiction or fantasy theme. But this definition is not exact. Filkers have been known to write filk songs about a variety of topics, including but not limited to tangentially-related topics such as computers and cats. The other common definition is anthropological: filk is what is sung or performed by the network of people who originally gathered to sing at science fiction/fantasy conventions. Yet another definition focuses on filking as a community of those interested in filk music and who form part of the social network self-identified with filking. As described later in this article, the origins of filk in science fiction conventions and its current organization emphasizes the social-network aspect of filking.

Whichever definition one chooses, filk is a form of music created from within science fiction and fantasy fandom, often performed late at night at science fiction conventions, though there are now dedicated filk conventions in Canada, England, Germany, and the USA. And whichever definition one chooses, the boundaries of filking are muddy. For example, filking overlaps with the singing and music performed by participants in the Society for Creative Anachronism or at LARPs.

Hmph. Well, based on your ham handed reference to Paul Atreides, I can only assume that Cat Stevens is a fraud, not visionary, because if he had the balls to use the proper term "Usol" instead of the gay "Moonshadow", his song would have rocked more and been less lovey.
Also, I think that Boston's "Cool the Engines" marginally qualifies as Filk because the government STILL refuses to build those awesome city spaceships.

Was it "Dunecore"? That got you? Or maybe my WWTS bracelet...I'll see if you can figure it out. ;D