Retro Bird AI

Retro Bird AI
Posted 2 days ago

It's out! Go go go!
Spotify: open.spotify.com/album/1lV6mZwDov0l1sskuSsw7g?si=e…
Apple Music: music.apple.com/us/album/fear-the-mind/1790763595

Hey there,

You may be wondering:

1) “Why aren’t some of my favorite YouTube tracks here?”
2) “Why are some songs listed but sound different, with changed lyrics?”

Here’s the short version:
Some of my songs used third-party IP in their titles and lyrics. As a result, four of my albums were taken down—possibly because an automated system flagged them, or because the owners weren’t comfortable with my usage. I’ve seen other artists do something similar, so I assumed it was acceptable. It turns out it wasn’t. With four albums already removed, I decided to remove the rest myself and remake the most popular tracks while maintaining the best possible quality. If you prefer the original versions, they’re still available on YouTube, Instagram, or to download from SoundCloud. I hope you enjoy these revised versions. If there’s a song you’d like me to remake, feel free to let me know!

Longer explanation:
Around nine days ago, Materia Music (associated with Undertale/Deltarune) issued a copyright takedown through my distributor. My guess is they saw titles like “What if AI made a Sans Undertale song?” and suspected I was using their music or sampling it without permission. Another possibility is they simply weren’t okay with me using their IP in my titles and lyrics. While I’ve noticed other creators and bands referencing video games without issues, it turns out not everyone is as lenient. Brentalfloss and Star Bomb have used well-known IPs, but I have no idea whether they’re paying royalties or have special arrangements. Regardless, it seems my personal assumptions about fair usage didn’t hold up. They own the copyright, so if they can force the removal of four albums, I need to proceed more cautiously. Admittedly, I always felt like I was taking a risk. If “What if AI made a Super Mario song?” had become popular, would Nintendo have taken action? Probably.

With that in mind, this new album is a collection of remastered past tracks, stripped of anything that might cause issues. I made an exception for “Metallix from SMBZ,” which is a fan character by Alvin Earthworm—I’m guessing they won’t mind a fan-made tribute. Unfortunately, this means I can’t re-upload some favorites (like the original Metal Sonic or Pizza Tower songs). Believe me, I’m as disappointed as you are, but I don’t have much choice.

I’ve tried my best to replicate songs by removing and replacing lyrics, but there are technical challenges. AI music doesn’t store “master tracks” you can just tweak. I can ask it to make a ‘cover’ version with new lyrics, but if the changes are small, it tries to merge the old and new, leading to bizarre results. Occasionally, I got lucky (e.g., the Gogeta song, now titled “Together!”) and it’s pretty close to the original. The Goku track (now “Punch It Harder!”) is decent, although you might notice some slurring in the vocals. In other instances, I ended up with brand-new songs that I genuinely like, so I’m using them as substitutes.

I’m currently working on another collection that includes more remakes. If there’s anything in particular you’d like me to revisit, let me know. I appreciate your patience during this downtime and hope you enjoy what I’ve managed to release.

Stay frosty,

– Bird

10 - 4

Retro Bird AI
Posted 1 week ago

2025 Changes

Hey everyone, happy New Year! When I first started this channel, it was really just about having fun making music and sharing it. Then people asked if I could put those songs on Spotify and other streaming platforms, and I went for it—though not exactly in the smoothest way.

I’m no copyright expert, but it turns out using an IP’s name in titles or in the music itself is a big no-no. I honestly had no clue; I saw others doing it and assumed it was fine. Turns out it isn’t.

I don’t want to step on anyone’s toes or cause trouble, so I’ve taken down all my albums for now. I’m reworking the more popular tracks to be more generic and avoid mentioning specific IP or characters directly. The music itself will stay the same, but I’ll be using proper, less specific titles. It’s going to take a bit of effort to go back and fix everything, but I think it’s the best move.

Thanks so much for your patience and understanding—I really appreciate it.

*everything is still up on YouTube and SoundCloud though!

61 - 3

Retro Bird AI
Posted 3 weeks ago

https://youtu.be/W2Mdha_RVLo
Steel heart, circuits gleam,
Echoes of a twisted dream.
Chasing shadows of a blue mirage,
Metal mimic, a high-tech barrage.
Through Stardust lanes, this chase unfolds,
A tale of echoes, both new and old.
Born from genius, a darker hue,
His speed unmatched, a rival true.
With eyes like embers, cold and stark,
He runs a race that's marked by sparks.
A creation’s pride, twisted by design,
Seeking victory that can never align.
There can only be one,
There can only be one Sonic,
Clashing till the battle's won,
There can only be one,
There can only be one Sonic.

109 - 2

Retro Bird AI
Posted 1 month ago

CONGRATS to Astro Bot for Game of the Year! Do you think we have a song on that? https://youtu.be/bfZflyOzaS4 OF COURSE WE DO!

44 - 0

Retro Bird AI
Posted 1 month ago

103 - 12

Retro Bird AI
Posted 2 months ago

Community Spotlight: Check out this awesome Mephiles music video by ‪@TheBlueLobsterShow‬ https://youtu.be/1UCt09aTDe8

66 - 3

Retro Bird AI
Posted 3 months ago

HE'S BACK! Might I recommend my Mephiles song to celebrate?? https://youtu.be/7CRRIF0LqTM

95 - 6

Retro Bird AI
Posted 5 months ago

I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of you—this milestone wouldn't have been possible without your incredible support!

Here's a little story for you: A while back, I got hit with a copyright strike, courtesy of Taylor Swift’s label, UMG. Now, I doubt Taylor herself was involved, but it still took three long months for that strike to clear. Despite having the opportunity to become a YouTube partner and monetize my content for quite some time, I had to wait for this hiccup to be resolved before moving forward.

When I first started, my idea was to cover popular songs—those you'd hear on the radio. I tried my hand at a few, including covers of tracks by Snoop Dogg and Taylor Swift, but they didn’t gain much traction. So, I moved on and honestly, forgot all about them. Fast forward, and out of the blue, UMG flagged one of those old covers. I always thought covers were safe from copyright strikes, but I learned the hard way that it's not always the case. Fortunately, those early covers didn’t go anywhere, and it’s been my original lyrics about video games that really resonated with you all and helped grow this channel.

Now, with the copyright strike behind me, I’m officially approved as a YouTube partner! I’m so excited for what’s ahead, and I owe it all to your ongoing support. Thank you again for being part of this journey!