Originally Posted By: chulaivet1966


Most would probably think all of whom they are collaborating with are cool and no problems would be anticipated.




Kinda like those first dates.... "Man this is the perfect person for me...." until 12 months later.......

The way I look at collabs and writing with others is close to what industry pros I have heard, say. No matter how much or how little one contributes to the actual song, if that person is an official part of the writing team, they get an equal share of writing and royalties.

Lets say someone has a song that is 95% finished. And they come to you and ask you to help. You look at the song, both melody and lyric...and you figure the melody is perfect and fits extremely well, and the lyric is good except for one line that doesn't fit. So you write a line that does fit, the other writer loves it,and so it gets used and the song gets cut and makes a ton of money with artist shows, radio airplay, and even gets a title cut in a blockbuster movie. Should you only get 5% because that's all you really contributed or should it be looked at that without your line, this song may have never been cut so therefore you are an equal contributing partner fully deserving a 50% cut?

It can be argued both ways, and I'm absolutely sure there are pro writers who would only give that 5%. Only you could answer that question if it's worth 5% vs nothing. After all, the chance to get your name on a hit as a co-writer with a big name, and a song that generates a million or more... do the math.

The whole point is to get that all important agreement in writing. Spell it out so you know what the deal is. Then, if the song is a huge hit, remember, you agreed to the percentage. Next time, negotiate better. Or better yet, write with folks who agree that 50/50 is the right way to do things. Or 33.3x3 or 25%x4...etc...

You can find my music at:
www.herbhartley.com
Add nothing that adds nothing to the music.
You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both.

The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.