Blog Archives

HOW DO SONGWRITERS GET PAID?

6/27/2023

Songwriters are wonderfully creative people with the ability to dream big with their hearts and minds. But often, understanding how we get paid is not our forte. So, here’s an overview of how songwriters get paid.
Publishing Draws for songwriters.

This is a monthly amount a publisher pays to a writer that is on an exclusive staff publishing deal. A publisher might give the writer $1000-2000 per month to help the writer avoid having to work full time at something else. This frees up the writer’s schedule to write more songs. A publishing draw can be very helpful, BUT there’s a big drawback to a draw.

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BLUEPRINTING YOUR SONG

6/20/2023

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Something that has changed my songwriting in a radical way is a technique I call blueprinting your song. With this technique, I’ve developed into a much better communicator with my lyrics, and it has cut my writing time in half (writing fast is not a goal, but it doesn’t hurt to save time). It also stops me from ever getting stuck when I’m trying to write verse 2 and it helps me get all of my co-writers aligned if I’m writing with other people.
By using this technique of blueprinting your song, or mapping your song, if you learn to do it well, I predict you will experience the same results.

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THE MAGIC BEHIND ONE CHORD SONGS

6/13/2023

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I’m obsessed with looking under the hood of great songs to figure out what makes them hum. If we listen closely, some feature cool rhythm patterns in the melody, others defy the norms of form, while other songs showcase unique chord progressions. But, what kind of voodoo pulses through the veins of one-chord songs?

Let me unravel some of the mystery—there’s even a playlist of songs to get you in the mood. So, start spinning, it’s time to get this one-chord party started!

Some Examples of One-Chord Songs
Aretha Franklin – “Chain of Fools”
Pink – “Get This Party Started”
Blake Shelton – “Neon Light”
Bob Marley – “Get Up, Stand Up”
Beck – “Loser”
Creedence Clearwater Revival – “Run Through The Jungle”
Steely Dan – “Show Biz Kids”
Harry Nilsson – “Coconut”
Eddie Grant – “Electric Avenue”
Bo Diddley – “Bo Diddley” and “I’m A Man” (Both sides of Bo’s first single were one chord songs!)

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ARE YOU A PRO OR ASPIRING SONGWRITER? A GREAT SONG DOESN’T CARE!

6/6/2023

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Over the weekend someone tagged me in a post that had over 500 comments debating heatedly over whether or not a lyricist was an actual “songwriter”.

All I can say is, who cares? I don’t mean that in a harsh way. You see, I’ve been fortunate that over 150 major artists have recorded my songs. I have had my fair share of Billboard hits. And you know what? I have been on co-writing sessions where I contributed ONLY lyrics. Other times, there were sessions that I did ONLY the music. And often BOTH music and lyrics. Some days I play an instrument on the session and others I won’t. In fact, I know Hall Of Fame lyricists that have written some of the most iconic songs of all time.

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HOW DO SONGWRITERS GET PAID?

BLUEPRINTING YOUR SONG

THE MAGIC BEHIND ONE CHORD SONGS

ARE YOU A PRO OR ASPIRING SONGWRITER? A GREAT SONG DOESN’T CARE!

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