Why sample clearance matters: A lesson from Fatboy Slim’s “Satisfaction Skank”
Fatboy Slim’s famous unofficial 90’s mashup has finally been given the green light, highlighting the importance of getting permission from sampled artists.
For years, one of the most famous unofficial mashups in dance music floated around clubs, festivals and file-sharing sites without ever seeing an official release. Now, after 25 years, Fatboy Slim’s “Satisfaction Skank” has finally been approved by The Rolling Stones, allowing it to be released properly for the first time.
The news is not only a notable moment in dance music history, but also a strong reminder of why getting samples cleared is essential if you want to release music commercially.
The story of “Satisfaction Skank”
Norman Cook (aka Fatboy Slim) created the track by blending the riff from The Rolling Stones’ “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” with his own hit The Rockafeller Skank. He explained to BBC News that “it was my secret weapon… I had this tune that nobody else had, and it was a really good encore”.
Although it became a staple in his live sets, he was never allowed to release it. Cook attempted to clear the sample many times over the years, but the answer was always no. As he told the BBC, “We’ve had a pretty flat ‘no’ for 20 years. I think we asked four times, and I wouldn’t have dared to ask them again.”
During the early 2000s, the track spread rapidly online through platforms like Napster, and even made its way onto bootleg vinyl recordings. Yet none of this changed the reality: without the rights holders’ approval, the track could not be distributed legally.
The turning point came when the initiative finally came from The Rolling Stones’ side. According to The Guardian, they not only approved the sample but supplied Cook with the original stems of Satisfaction, delivered in an armoured van so that he could rebuild the mix in higher quality.
What this means for artists working with samples
The release of “Satisfaction Skank” is an interesting moment musically, but it also offers a practical lesson for anyone creating new work using samples.
The first and most important point is that you cannot release music commercially that contains copyrighted samples without permission. It does not matter whether the sample is short, altered or taken from a popular track. As the long delay in Fatboy Slim’s case shows, it only takes one refusal to completely block an official release and any subsequent royalties.
If you are planning to upload music that contains samples, you need to make sure you have obtained the correct rights from the copyright holder. This may require purchasing a licence, negotiating a fee, or providing documentation to your distributor to prove that you are allowed to use the material. Without this, your release may be rejected or removed, and you may lose the opportunity to monetise it at all.
It is also important to keep records of any licences or agreements you obtain. Distributors, including those offering content protection services, may request proof before approving your release. Failure to provide this can result in delays or disapproval.
For many producers, using royalty-free samples from reputable libraries is the safest route. These samples are cleared for commercial use and come without the legal complications that copyrighted works involve. It still remains important to read the terms carefully, as each provider sets their own conditions.
Summing up
Fatboy Slim’s long-delayed release shows how creative ideas can be held back for years if the right permissions aren’t secured. While this situation ultimately had a positive ending, most artists will not have The Rolling Stones unexpectedly reversing their decision decades later.
If you want to protect your work, ensure it can be released on all platforms, and earn from your music, sample clearance cannot be ignored.