Hmmm...OK, I'm Late to This Party..but...

I'd disagree with Polly that "Lyrics are 10% of a Song." I'd say the TITLE/CONCEPT is about 35-50% of the MARKETABILITY of ANY Song, and most-often it's The Lyricist who comes up with it.

AND...go-ahead & Name Me how many INSTRUMENTALS lately have been Hits???

AND...It's always some of the Greatest Singers...like Frank Sinatra..who always gave their Writers CREDIT...before singing those Great Ones.

As a Lyricist, I've always ALSO given Credit (& Rights) when-&-where Due. I DO have Melodies..IN-Head..when I pen a Lyic. BUT..since I play no instruments..I've nearly ALWAYS split a song 50-50 "Rights-Wise" with my Music Folk(s). AND paid the Going Studio-Hourly-Rate as-well. (Tho that 50-50 usually got my Studio Time DOWN to $25 an hour..back when I had the loot.)

And..we could usually get us a Singer, too...for about $25 an hour...if it was to be Gal-Sung..(I'd always enjoyed singing the Male Versions..still WOULD except I got No Studio these days TO record in..until I master a TEAC Rig a friend gave me.)

Anyways...SOMETIMES a Singer/Musician DOES take a Demo to Another Level...&...yep, I got No Aversion to slicing the Pie a Bit-Thinner when that Happens. When Robert Pickens added His Vox to "Let's Take The Time" a few months back, The 3 of us Writers added Him to The Credits. I'm pitchin' it to a CBS Exec today-tomorrow...PROUDLY..and Trust Me, 25% of a HIT is a lot more than ZERO-percent-RETURN on a Loser.

Would I, the Lyricist, work for LESS-than-25%? Sure..IF I believed in The SINGER, The MUSIC, and The Marketing..AND The "SPLIT" was a FAIR One.

AM I, the Lyricist, worth LESS than the MUSICOS & Singer?

ONLY if they all wanna HUMMMM a Whole Lot.

Best Wishes & Big 25%-&-Up Hugs Backatcha,
Stan


Just HAD to post a "PS" here: Mark & Steve & Robert & My Demo..is on its way to Phil RAMONE in the next 2-3 weeks via my CBS Guy. (I have to make his 9" GE Oscr Fan work with some new gears I've found, in-the-meantime..heh!) STAY TUNED, Gents!

Last edited by "Tampa Stan" Good; 09/28/10 10:17 PM.