LYRICS VERSUS MUSIC:

A song may be written for instruments alone, without lyrics, but more frequently it consists of both music and lyrics. While there are writers who write both music and lyrics, it is more common for an artist to be either a composer or a lyricist. The wedding of lyrics and music is an integral part of the business of a music publisher. A good publisher must know the commercial potential of various types of lyrics as well as qualified lyricist who can write them.

Through the grant of all rights under copyright, the publisher obtains the right to set words to the music and to modify and adapt the music. These powers are usually necessary for the proper exploitation of a composition. A publisher must be careful to determine whether the writer has the right to approve changes in the music, including any new lyrics, as well as whether the writer has agreed to share royalties with the lyricist or other writers engaged by the publisher. Where the SGA contract has been used, it is prudent to draw a new agreement that includes all of the writers of the final version of the song, thus avoiding any later problem of consent or sharing of royalties.

Under the SGA agreement, unless specifically agreed otherwise, the royalties are shared equally among all the writers. For example, if there is only one lyric writer and there are three melody collaborators, each receives 25% unless an agreement among the writers is reached changing their respective shares of royalties.

Earlier sections of this chapter deal with royalties payable to writers for printed editions and mechanical licenses. Normally, these royalties cover the total writer royalties are ordinarily shared equally between the composer and lyricist. Specifically, a royalty of 6 cents per copy of sheet music sold is remitted as follows: 3 cents to the composer and 3 cents to the lyricist. Similarly, mechanical license royalties, which are usually 50% of the publisher’s collections, are paid half to the composer and the other half to the lyricist. If there are three or more collaborators on a song, they usually determine among themselves their respective shares of the total writer royalties.

Narrator: Wa’Dell Jones, Author/Artist, Music Producer.

Co. Rock Of Ages Entertainment.com

Email address: wadellj0725@gmail.com