Will Durant, in covering the Renaissance in his Story of Civilization, had a line that stuck with me

It related to the behaviour of families in Italy killing eachother for various reasons. He said " A man's virtues are his own, his vices a reflection of his times"

Call it what you will but if it is accepted behaviour in this songwriter market...and people transact on that basis...who are we to judge?

The Stones were actually very fastidious in ensuring that the songwriters of their blues songs were properly paid. Their virtue.... and it is morally and ethically right

Someone said it is greed and big fish vs little fish, but that is not really the dynamic" that is going on here. It is not really driven by big fish and greed...though it is definitely a part of the "jousting game" of negotiation and using your power to get what you want

In pure economic terms, we are all simply resources valued in what we can do to further any kind of venture along, which we then exchange for money to buy things we want. I minor cog in a metaphorical wheel is a pretty low cost interchangable resource. Become more capable as a resource is what education and experience is all about....be that learning how to play guitar and write songs or becoming a star athlete.

Now let's say you have the talent and crafted a cool song and are Songwriter.

Songwriter has great song and wants "fame" and artist and producer can deliver it or deliver a pretty solid shot at it. They also have and have access to other necessary resources ...money, networks of people, practical experience....

You going to say no to at least part of a pie they can help you bake??? Remember they not only have the pull....it is not about who you know, it is all about who knows you.....but the artist will interpret the lyric and song through their own artistry, and the producer makes sure "the product" is up to snuff technically, artistically etc

Is a cowrite with a major star not an awesome accomplishment?? A stepping stone?

&&^tch and complain all you want and please pass my name on to any of those proposals you want to reject as unfair

If writing ever becomes work I think I'm going to have to stop