Editing Songwriter

{{Short description|Person who writes the words or music to songs}}
{{About}}
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[[File:Rodgers and Hart NYWTS.jpg|thumb|Songwriting partners [[Rodgers and Hart]] working on a song in 1936]]
A '''songwriter''' is a person who creates [[musical composition]]s or writes [[lyrics]] for [[song]]s, or both. The writer of the music for a song can be called a [[composer]], although this term tends to be used mainly in the [[classical music]] genre and film scoring. A songwriter who mainly writes the lyrics for a song is referred to as a [[lyricist]]. The pressure from the [[music industry]] to produce popular hits means that song writing is often an activity for which the tasks are distributed among a number of people.<ref name="emusician"/> For example, a songwriter who excels at writing lyrics might be paired with a songwriter with the task of creating original melodies. Pop songs may be composed by group members from the band or by staff writers – songwriters directly employed by [[Music publisher (popular music)|music publisher]]s.<ref name="emusician"/> Some songwriters serve as their own music publishers, while others have external publishers.<ref name="emusician"/>

The old-style apprenticeship approach to learning how to write songs is being supplemented by [[Bachelor of music|university degrees]], college diplomas and "rock schools".<ref name="emusician"/> Knowledge of modern music technology (sequencers, synthesizers, computer sound editing), songwriting elements and business skills are significant for modern songwriters.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Davis |first=Richard |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=x84sDwAAQBAJ&q=synthesizer&pg=PA1922 |title=Complete Guide to Film Scoring: The Art and Business of Writing Music for Movies and TV |date=2010-05-01 |publisher=Hal Leonard Corporation |isbn=978-1-4950-3226-4 |language=en}}</ref> Several music colleges offer songwriting diplomas and degrees with music business modules.<ref name="emusician"/> Since songwriting and publishing [[royalty payment|royalties]] can be substantial sources of income, particularly if a song becomes a [[hit record]]; legally, in the US, songs written after 1934 may be copied only by the authors. The legal power to grant these permissions may be bought, sold or transferred. This is governed by international [[copyrights|copyright law]].<ref name="emusician"/>

Songwriters can be employed in a variety of different ways. They may exclusively write lyrics or compose music alongside another artist, present songs to [[Artists and repertoire|A&R]], publishers, agents and managers for consideration. Song pitching can be done on a songwriter's behalf by their publisher or independently using [[tip sheet]]s like ''RowFax'', the ''[[MusicRow]]'' publication and ''[[SongQuarters]]''.<ref name="emusician">{{cite web |url=http://emusician.com/tutorials/columns/pitching_songs_how/ |title=How to pitch your songs to industry insiders says Growden. |publisher=EMusician |date=1 July 2007 |access-date=25 August 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100724185818/http://emusician.com/tutorials/columns/pitching_songs_how/ |archive-date=2010-07-24 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Skills associated with song-writing include entrepreneurism and creativity.<ref>''The quaternary entrepreneur, The avant garde of non-material capitalism'', Gian Paolo Prandstraller, 2009</ref> Staff writers do not necessarily get printed credit for their contributions to the song.

== Staff writers ==

Songwriters who sign an exclusive songwriting agreement with a publisher are called ''staff writers''. Being a staff writer effectively means that, during the term of the songwriter's contract with the publisher, all their songs are automatically published by that company and cannot be published elsewhere.<ref name="emusician"/>

In the Nashville country music scene, there is a strong staff writer culture where contracted writers work normal "9-to-5" hours at the publishing office and are paid a regular salary, says staff writer Gary Growden. This salary is in effect the writer's "draw", an advance on future earnings, which is paid monthly and enables them to live within a fixed budget.<ref name="hindquarters">{{cite web|url=http://www.hitquarters.com/index.php3?page=intrview/opar/intrview_Roger_Murrah_Interview.html |title=Interview with Roger Murrah |publisher=[[HitQuarters]]|date=22 June 2009 |access-date=25 August 2010}}</ref> The publisher owns the copyright of songs written during the term of the agreement for a designated period, after which the songwriter can reclaim the copyright.<ref name="hindquarters"/> In an interview with [[HitQuarters]], songwriter [[Dave Berg (songwriter)|Dave Berg]] extolled the benefits of the set-up: "I was able to concentrate on writing the whole time and have always had enough money to live on."<ref name="hitquarters.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.hitquarters.com/index.php3?page=intrview/opar/intrview_Dave_Berg_Interview.html |title=Interview with Dave Berg |publisher=[[HitQuarters]]|date=4 January 2010 |access-date=25 August 2010}}</ref>

Unlike contracted writers, some staff writers operate as employees for their respective publishers. Under the terms of these
[[work for hire]] agreements, the compositions created are fully owned by the publisher. Because the recapture provision of the [[United States]] [[Copyright Act of 1976]] does not apply to "works made for hire", the rights to a song created under an employment contract cannot be "recaptured" by the writer after 35 years. In Nashville, young writers are often strongly encouraged to avoid these types of contracts.

Staff writers are common across the whole industry, but without the more office-like working arrangements favoured in Nashville. All the major publishers employ writers under contract.<ref name="hitquarters.com"/> Obtaining a staff writer contract with a publisher can be the first step for any professional songwriting career, with some writers with a desire for greater independence outgrowing this set-up once they achieve a degree of success.<ref name="hitquarters.com"/> Songwriter [[Allan Eshuijs]] described his staff writer contract at [[Universal Music Publishing]] as a starter deal. His success under the arrangement eventually allowed him to found his own publishing company so that he could "keep as much [publishing income] as possible and say how it's going to be done."<ref name="Allan Eshuijs">{{cite web |url=http://www.hitquarters.com/index.php3?page=intrview/opar/intrview_Allan_Eshuijs_Interview.html |title=Interview with Allan Eshuijs |publisher=[[HitQuarters]]|date=6 September 2010 |access-date=7 September 2010}}</ref>

== Specific roles ==

=== Beatmaker ===

{{Unreferenced section|date=February 2025}}

A beatmaker is a songwriter who creates and composes music or beats for a song, often laying the groundwork or "musical bed". Tools typically used are [[Synthesizer|synthesizers]], [[Drum machine|drum machines]], and [[Digital audio workstation|digital audio workstations]]. Beat makers or composers are not necessarily [[Record producer|record producers]] by definition since they generally do not work directly with artists in a [[Recording studio|recording studio]] that oversees the production and recording of the final product.

However, record producers can be involved in co-writing songs as the composer wearing two hats as the producer and songwriter as they may write and compose the original music such as the beat and then oversee the production that takes control of the recording sessions with the artist and engineer all the way down to the mix stage. They are referred to as [[Record Producer]] / Songwriters as they generally receive songwriting and production credits for both roles. This is especially true for R&B, hip-hop producers in urban [[hip hop production]], when composing the original music as the co-writer is integrated into their traditional role as a Record Producer, such as [[Rodney Jerkins]], [[Dr. Dre]], [[Timbaland]] or [[Pharrell Williams]], as opposed to a rock producer that may rarely contribute as a co-writer of a song.

=== Top-liners ===

A top-line writer or top-liner is a songwriter who writes a song over a pre-made beat. In top-lining, the writer is not creating a song from scratch, but rather creating lyrics and melodies over an existing [[music genre]], [[tonality]], [[harmony]], [[rhythm]], and [[musical form|form]] of a song.<ref name="sonic">{{cite web|last1=Samama|first1=Benjamin|title=What's the Difference Between a Songwriter and a Topline Writer?|url=http://blog.sonicbids.com/whats-the-difference-between-a-songwriter-and-a-topline-writer|website=Blog.sonicbids.com|date=2 March 2016 |access-date=2 April 2018}}</ref>

In modern commercial writing, it is a common practice for the musical track to be produced first without any vocal melody or lyrics. This is partially due to the rise of portable music production equipment and digital audio workstations that are designed for the swift arrangement of electronic music, such as [[Steinberg Cubase|Cubase]]<ref>{{cite web|last=Walden |first=John |url=https://www.soundonsound.com/reviews/steinberg-cubase-10 |title=Steinberg Cubase 10 |website=Soundonsound.com |access-date=2020-03-18}}</ref> and [[Ableton Live]].<ref name="mella">{{cite web|last1=Dee|first1=Mella|title=Toplining – What it is (and Isn't) and How to Become a Topliner|url=https://mellamusic.com/toplining/|website=Mella Music|date=19 June 2017|access-date=3 April 2018}}</ref>

The top-liner usually is also a singer, and will sing over the [[Music track|track]] as the [[Demo (music)|demo]] singer. If the song is for a particular artist, the top-liner may sing the demo in that artist's style. Top-liners often work in groups to co-write. Sometimes producers send out tracks to more than one top-line writer so that the producer or singer could choose the best option. Since the track is the same, melodies by different writers can sometimes be very similar. Occasionally, the producer might choose a few lines of melodic or lyrical ideas from one top-liner without properly crediting or paying them. These situations sometimes result in legal battles over ownership of the melodies or lyrics.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Seabrook|first1=John|title=The Song Machine|url=https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2012/03/26/the-song-machine|newspaper=[[The New Yorker]]|access-date=2 April 2018}}</ref>

There is a way to prevent such legal battles. A songwriter can commit their "intent to make a song", which prevents any of the parties ripping the song apart. Some artists send out a legal disclaimer making clear that if their melody is not used after doing a topline, it reverts to them, and the track back to the track writer.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Lindvvall|first1=Helienne|title=Behind the music: Why topline melody writing creates disputes between artists and songwriters|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/musicblog/2011/aug/26/topline-melody-disputes-artists-songwriters|website=The Guardian|date=26 August 2011|access-date=2 April 2018}}</ref>

== Multi-tasking songwriters ==
[[File:MaxMartin.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Max Martin]] is commercially the most successful producer/songwriter in history.<ref>{{cite magazine | url=https://www.billboard.com/lists/max-martin-most-hot-100-number-1s-producers/ | title=Max Martin Breaks Record for Most Hot 100 No. 1s Among Producers as Ariana Grande's 'Yes, And?' Debuts | magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] }}</ref>]]
=== As instrumentalists===

Songwriters are also often skilled [[musical instrument]] players. In part, this is because the process of "working out" a song or arrangement requires a songwriter to play an instrument, typically the [[guitar]] or the [[piano]], to hear how the [[chord progression]] sounds and to hear how well a given set of chords supports a melody. In addition to selling their songs and musical concepts for other artists to sing, some songwriter-musicians create songs to perform themselves. Songwriters need to create a number of elements for a song, including an introduction, various verses and a chorus. At minimum, a songwriter must prepare a [[lead sheet]] for a song, which consists of one or more pieces of [[music notation|sheet music]] with the melody notes and [[chord progression]] indicated on it.

The songwriter may expand upon the melody and chord progression by adding an instrumental melody (which may occur before or after the vocal melody, or alongside the vocal melody) and creating a more complex song structure (e.g., verse, chorus, bridge, instrumental solo section, etc.).

=== As producers ===

With recent technological improvements, a songwriter can now create commercially viable music almost entirely on their laptop. This technological advancement has made the producer/songwriter role a much more popular occurrence. Perhaps because the role of producer is not generally understood by the public, the average listener does not know when an artist also takes on the role of producer.

[[Brian Wilson]] of [[the Beach Boys]] is one of the earliest and most widely known examples of a songwriter turned music producer. Within two years of the band's commercial breakthrough, Wilson had taken over from his father Murry, and he was the sole producer of all their recordings between 1963 and 1967.

=== As singers ===
{{main|Singer-songwriter}}

Many singers also write songs for themselves, and as such, they are usually referred to as singer-songwriters.<ref name=":0" />

== Sole writing ==
[[File:Lionel Richie 2019.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Lionel Richie]] is the first songwriter to write eight [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] number-one songs entirely by himself.]]
In solitary songwriting or sole writing, only one person is responsible in creating the entire music and lyrics of a song. According to ''Billboard'', 44% of the songs that reached number one on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] chart during the 1970s were written by just one songwriter. The percentage declined to 42% in the 1980s, 24% in the 1990s, 6% in the 2000s, and 4% in the 2010s.<ref name="auto">{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/chart-beat/9473792/songwriters-hot-100-number-one-songs-by-themselves/|title=These 18 Songwriters Have Written More No. 1 Hits by Themselves Than Any Other Songwriters in Hot 100 History|magazine=Billboard}}</ref>

[[Lionel Richie]] and [[Diane Warren]] are the only songwriters with at least 8 number-one singles written solely by themselves.<ref name="auto"/> A very few artists solely wrote, produced, and performed a Hot 100 number-one song such as [[Prince (musician)|Prince]] ("[[When Doves Cry]]"), [[Debbie Gibson]] ("[[Foolish Beat]]" and "[[Lost in Your Eyes]]"), [[Lauryn Hill]] ("[[Doo Wop (That Thing)]]"), [[Alicia Keys]] ("[[Fallin' (Alicia Keys song)|Fallin']]"), and [[Pharrell Williams]] ("[[Happy (Pharrell Williams song)|Happy]]").<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Trust |first=Gary |date=2022-06-09 |title=Kate Bush Solely Wrote, Produced & Performs 'Running Up That Hill': How Rare Is That for a Hot 100 Top 10? |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/kate-bush-hot-100-sole-writer-producer-performer-hits-1235083731/ |access-date=2025-01-16 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref>

== Co-writing ==
Songs can be written jointly or written in collaboration with other songwriters.<ref name="Definition">{{cite web|title=Definition|date=2011 |access-date=29 September 2015 | url=http://www.thefreedictionary.com/cowriting|website=Thefreedictionary.com}}</ref> Co-writers may use the "stream of consciousness" approach, referring to having ideas flow rather than being discussed. The first step in co-writing is to establish the division of the contribution between co-writers. In copyright law, there is no distinction of importance between the lyrics of the song or the melody of the song, therefore each writer is given equal ownership over the song, unless another agreement is arranged.<ref name="Music Connection">{{cite web|title=Music Connection|date=2013 |access-date=29 September 2015|url=http://www.musicconnection.com/co-writing-tips-for-songwriters/|website=Musicconnection.com}}</ref> "Phantom" songwriters provide small contributions to songs. The songwriter suggests a line for a verse or a [[session musician]] who informally proposes a chord progression for a coda. "Phantom" songwriters are usually not given credit.

=== Songwriting partnership ===
[[File:1964-Lennon-McCartney (cropped).jpg|thumb|upright|[[Lennon–McCartney]] is the most successful songwriting partnership in history.]]
Songwriting partnership or songwriting duo is a prolific collaboration which consists of two songwriters, usually sharing 50% royalty each. Songwriting partnership can be between a composer and a lyricist ([[Andrew Lloyd Webber]] with [[Tim Rice]], or [[Elton John]] with [[Bernie Taupin]]),<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.theguardian.com/culture/2012/mar/26/lloyd-webber-rice-partnership-over|title=Tim Rice rules out collaborating again with Andrew Lloyd Webber|date=March 26, 2012|website=the Guardian}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/bernie-taupin-interview-elton-john-jewel-box-1084108/|title=Bernie Taupin on His 53-Year Saga With Elton John and Hopes for the Future|first1=Andy|last1=Greene|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|date=November 2, 2020}}</ref> a performer and a producer ([[Madonna]] with [[Patrick Leonard]] or [[Mariah Carey]] with [[Walter Afanasieff]]),<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/8459132/patrick-leonard-interview-kickstarter-madonna|title=Patrick Leonard on What to Expect From His New Album of Reimagined Madonna Collaborations|magazine=Billboard}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://variety.com/2019/music/news/mariah-carey-all-i-want-for-christmas-co-writer-walter-afanasieff-interview-1203447527/|title=Estranged From Mariah Carey, 'All I Want for Christmas' Co-Writer Calls No. 1 'Bittersweet'|first1=Chris|last1=Willman|newspaper=Variety |date=December 18, 2019}}</ref> or between bandmates ([[Jagger–Richards|Mick Jagger and Keith Richards]] of [[the Rolling Stones]] or [[Björn Ulvaeus]] and [[Benny Andersson]] of [[ABBA]]).<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/1GBFH3wsXkmL4M5DDmVKSkB/7-legendary-song-writing-duos-that-changed-the-face-of-pop-music |title=BBC - 7 legendary song-writing duos that changed the face of pop music |access-date=2021-01-17 |archive-date=2021-02-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210205114338/https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/1GBFH3wsXkmL4M5DDmVKSkB/7-legendary-song-writing-duos-that-changed-the-face-of-pop-music |url-status=dead }}</ref>

According to ''Billboard'', [[Lennon–McCartney|the songwriting partnership]] between [[John Lennon]] and [[Paul McCartney]] remains the most successful one of all time, resulting over 180 songs and [[List of Billboard Hot 100 chart achievements and milestones#Artist achievements|a record 20 number ones]] for [[the Beatles]] on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100.<ref>{{cite magazine | url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/it-takes-two-10-songwriting-duos-that-rocked-music-history-467781/ | title=It Takes Two: 10 Songwriting Duos That Rocked Music History | magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] }}</ref> Songwriting partnership between siblings [[Billie Eilish]] and [[Finneas O'Connell]] have generated multiple wins at the [[Academy Awards]] for [[Academy Award for Best Original Song|Best Original Song]] as well as the [[Grammy Awards]] for [[Grammy Award for Song of the Year|Song of the Year]] and [[Grammy Award for Record of the Year|Record of the Year]].<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Grein |first=Paul |date=2024-03-11 |title=Billie Eilish & Finneas, Ludwig Göransson and More Record-Setters at 2024 Oscars |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/billie-eilish-finneas-records-set-2024-oscars-1235628989/ |access-date=2025-01-16 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Songwriting camp ===
Songwriting camp is a gathering of multiple producers and topliners in a pre-selected location for the purpose of writing songs for a specific artist.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.vulture.com/2018/08/the-songwriting-camps-where-pops-biggest-hits-get-crafted.html|title=The Songwriting Camps Where Pop's Biggest Hits (and Personalities) Get Crafted|first=Steve|last=Knopper|date=August 7, 2018|website=Vulture.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.shellypeiken.com/blog/songwriting-camp|title=Songwriting Camps|website=[[Shelly Peiken]]|date=May 9, 2016|access-date=January 16, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-39934986|title=How many people does it take to write a hit song?|date=May 16, 2017|website=Bbc.com}}</ref> As one of the most successful artists in releasing many [[hit song]]s, [[Rihanna]] has been known for holding various writing camps to make her albums.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/en_asia/news/music/rihanna-says-shes-held-tons-of-writing-camps-for-a-new-album-2767950|title=Rihanna says she's held "tons of writing camps" for a new album &#124; NME|website=[[NME]]|date=October 2, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2012/03/26/the-song-machine|title=The Hit Factory|first=John|last=Seabrook|magazine=The New Yorker}}</ref> Writing camps are also very popular in the [[K-pop]] music industry.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bmi.com/news/entry/how_to_write_and_pitch_songs_for_the_j_pop_and_k_pop_markets|title=How to Write and Pitch Songs for the J-Pop and K-Pop Markets|date=September 13, 2016|website=BMI.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/how-american-rb-songwriters-found-a-new-home-in-k-pop-627643/|title=How American R&B Songwriters Found a New Home in K-Pop|first1=Elias|last1=Leight|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|date=May 2, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://theindustryobserver.thebrag.com/mukis-k-pop-songwriting-expedition/|title=Muki's K-pop songwriting expedition [Photo Diary]|website=Theindustryobserver.thebrag.com|date=June 1, 2018}}</ref>

===Sampling===
{{main|Sampling (music)}}
Sampling is the reuse of a portion (or sample) of a sound recording in another recording. The original songwriter(s) of a song usually receive co-writing credit when their work is sampled on another song, although they did not literally involve in making the latter. For example, [[Sting (musician)|Sting]] is credited as a co-writer alongside [[Sauce Money|Todd Gaither]] and [[Faith Evans]] for "[[I'll Be Missing You]]" (1997) due to the sample of "[[Every Breath You Take]]" (1983), a song he solely wrote for [[the Police]]. However, "I'll Be Missing You" did not have legal approval for the sample before its release, thus Sting sued and received 100% of the song royalties, with payments reportedly going until 2053.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/sting-puff-daddy-2000-a-day/|title=Sting Earns $2,000 a Day Because Puff Daddy Didn't Say 'Please' Back in 1997|last=Lifton|first=Dave|website=[[Ultimate Classic Rock]]|language=en|date=January 7, 2014|access-date=January 22, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Zelmer |first1=Emily |title=Diddy Actually Does Not Pay Sting $5,000 Per Day For Uncleared Song Sample |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/diddy-sting-uncleared-sample-payment-1234710483/ |access-date=2 May 2023 |date=7 April 2023}}</ref> [[Beyoncé]]'s album ''[[Lemonade (album)|Lemonade]]'' (2016) features as many as 72 co-writers due to use of samples in majority of its tracks.<ref>{{cite web|last=Fallon|first=Kevin|date=April 13, 2017|url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/does-beyonce-write-her-own-music-and-does-it-really-matter|title=Does Beyoncé Write Her Own Music? And Does It Really Matter?|website=[[The Daily Beast]]|access-date=August 21, 2020}}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[Rolling Stone's 100 Greatest Songwriters of All Time|''Rolling Stone''{{'}}s 100 Greatest Songwriters of All Time]]
* [[List of Songwriters Hall of Fame inductees]]
* [[Grammy Award for Songwriter of the Year, Non-Classical]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

{{Music industry}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Songwriters| ]]
[[Category:Songs]]
[[Category:Occupations in music]]