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Hit songwriters ask pop stars to stop taking credit for songs they didn't write

bbc.co.uk

41–50 of 363 posts

Re: Hit songwriters ask pop stars to stop taking credit for songs they didn't write

#41

My opinion is that they shouldn't care and in fact have no basis to complain. I consider it "work for hire", and they are being paid handsomely for their work. Do we developers complain when, if we work for Apple, that Apple takes credit for our work?

no, but maybe we should

Is simple. Just remove "work for hire" from your contract.

Re: Hit songwriters ask pop stars to stop taking credit for songs they didn't write

#44

My opinion is that they shouldn't care and in fact have no basis to complain. I consider it "work for hire", and they are being paid handsomely for their work. Do we developers complain when, if we work for Apple, that Apple takes credit for our work?

Most songwriters write songs then shop them around. They're not typically freelancers writing a song for an act for pay. They're like small software shops writing source code, and then the company that licenses that code, compiles it, and sells it is wanting a copyright on the source and royalties on other licenses sold.

Re: Hit songwriters ask pop stars to stop taking credit for songs they didn't write

#45

My opinion is that they shouldn't care and in fact have no basis to complain. I consider it "work for hire", and they are being paid handsomely for their work. Do we developers complain when, if we work for Apple, that Apple takes credit for our work?

The entire point is that they’re not being paid handsomely, they’re being taken advantage of. Did you even read past the headline?

Most pop hits are written by a dozen middle-aged Scandinavian men. I'm sure they are paid very handsomely.

Re: Hit songwriters ask pop stars to stop taking credit for songs they didn't write

#46
post #12

This unfortunately has been a long used tactic in the music world. In the old times it was sharpie producers putting their names as writers for songs of poor black artists, so they (the producers) can get royalties in addition to their usual fees. Now it is the singers taking advantage of the songwriters and composers. It is all evil but it kind of shows who has the negotiation leverage. Todays pop music scene is all…

As a huge fan of blackpink I highly recommend you check out the documentary they have on Netflix. It became obvious after watching it that the genius behind blackpink is Teddy Park, who was also behind another massively successful girl group 2NE1. I've thought about it slightly and without Teddy Park there is no blackpink, but without the individual members each bringing their own flavour to the group, there is no bl…

With these types of "manufactured" performance groups I don't think there's any question that they are not composers. The Lady Gaga case (she promotes herself as a composer / guitarist / pianist) is much more of an intentional mislead, in my opinion.

Re: Hit songwriters ask pop stars to stop taking credit for songs they didn't write

#47

My opinion is that they shouldn't care and in fact have no basis to complain. I consider it "work for hire", and they are being paid handsomely for their work. Do we developers complain when, if we work for Apple, that Apple takes credit for our work?

>they are being paid handsomely for their work

Seems like someone didn't read the article...

Re: Hit songwriters ask pop stars to stop taking credit for songs they didn't write

#48

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The entire point is that they’re not being paid handsomely, they’re being taken advantage of. Did you even read past the headline?

Most pop hits are written by a dozen middle-aged Scandinavian men. I'm sure they are paid very handsomely.

Again, try reading the article before commenting.

Re: Hit songwriters ask pop stars to stop taking credit for songs they didn't write

#49

LMAO why dont they sing themselves? Sorry as it seems the lyrics are nothing without the artist performing it, just letters in your notes.

That cuts both ways, doesn’t it? Without any songs what does it matter how beautiful your voice is?

Re: Hit songwriters ask pop stars to stop taking credit for songs they didn't write

#50
Are pop songs inherently valuable? Artistically they're not usually interesting but in the market sense, would people listen to them without the massive marketing push?

I strongly support distribution of profits in the relation to the value being created. While it is absolutely possible, even commonplace, for organizations to exploit their workers and other smaller orgs, I also suspect that value in "hit" songs is created elsewhere: in production, marketing, name recognition of the singer, etc.

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