We've Edited a Bunch of Album Covers with Disney's Public Domain 'Steamboat Willie' Mouse

On New Year's Day, shortly after the stroke of midnight, the earliest version of Disney's Mickey Mouse from 1928 short Steamboat Willie entered the public domain. Now freed from megacorporate copyright constraints, the black-and-white, non-verbal mouse has already found its way into horror films and indie video games — and now, album covers.

Following our pandemic-induced social distancing album covers, and incredibly dank 4/20 album covers, we wondered where Mickey Willie would sail to in the musical universe. Would he trade the steamboat for a more powerful vessel, like a motorboat or a 6x6 van? Would he lend his expertise to building warships? What if he gave up a life on the waves for the driver's seat in a car-dominant society?

Wonder no more, and take in album covers amended with the world's latest copyright-free cartoon friend.

Blur - The Great Escape
Edited by Calum Slingerland


Jimmy Buffett - Living and Dying in 3/4 Time
Edited by Calum Slingerland


Echo & the Bunnymen - Ocean Rain
Edited by Calum Slingerland


Minutemen - Double Nickels on the Dime
Edited by Calum Slingerland


Nickelback - Get Rollin'
Edited by Calum Slingerland


No Warning - Ill Blood
Edited by Calum Slingerland


Sonic Youth - Goo
Edited by Calum Slingerland


SZA - SOS
Edited by Calum Slingerland


Titus Andronicus - The Monitor
Edited by Calum Slingerland


Neil Young - Trans
Edited by Calum Slingerland