Sacreligious Mash

I've been a fan of the "mash-up," the common term for two wickedly different songs thrown together.

With the advent of computer music editing tools, just about everything can be mashed up these days. One of my favorites mixes Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit" with Destiny Child's "Bootylicious." Believe it or not, it works.

Of course, the most famous mash-up in recent days comes courtesy the underground DJ Danger Mouse, who made headlines and earned raves for mixing elements of Jay-Z's "The Black Album" and The Beatles' "The White Album" to come up with his own creation, which he called -- what else? -- "The Grey Album."

Mash-ups have created quite a stir in the music world, where the debate rages over legality issues. EMI, for example, was less than pleased with "The Grey Album."

Last night on KCRW, I heard the song that may wind up souring me on mash-ups. Jason Bentley, on his "Metropolis" program, played a track that mixed... you ready? ... The Beatles' "Let It Be" with Shaggy's "It Wasn't Me" (you remember that song -- "Picture this we were both butt-naked, Bangin' on the bathroom floor").

I'll give you a moment to let it soak in: The Beatles. Shaggy. Together. Insert trite yet relevant "End of Western Civilization" comment here.