Lyricist
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Alyricistis awriterwho writeslyrics(the spoken words), as opposed to acomposer,who writes the song's music which may include but not limited to themelody,harmony,arrangement and accompaniment.
Royalties
[edit] | The examples and perspective in this sectiondeal primarily with the United States and do not represent aworldwide viewof the subject.(May 2020) |
A lyricist's income derives fromroyaltiesreceived from original songs. Royalties may range from 50 percent of the song, if it was written primarily with the composer, or less if they wrote the song in collaboration. Songs are automaticallycopyrightedas soon as they are in tangible forms, such as arecordingorsheet music.However, before a song is published or made public, its author or publisher should register it with theCopyright Officeat the United StatesLibrary of Congressto better protect againstcopyright infringement.[1]
Collaborations
[edit]Songwriting collaborations can take different forms. Some composers and lyricists work closely together on a song, with each having an input into both words and tune. Usually a lyricist fills in the words to a tune already fully written out.Dorothy Fieldsworked in this way.[2]Lyricists have often added words to an established tune, as Johnny Burke did with theErroll Garnerjazz standard "Misty".[3]Some partnerships work almost totally independently, for example,Bernie Taupinwould write lyrics and hand them over toElton John,who composed the music to go with it, with minimum interaction between the two writers.[4]
The collaboration ofJohn Lennon and Paul McCartneyis widely considered the most successful songwriting partnership in history, with their songs making up the majority ofThe Beatles'catalog.[5]Other famous collaborations includeLeiber and Stoller,the Rolling Stoneslead singerMick JaggerwithKeith Richards,andRichard CarpenterwithJohn Bettis.[5]
Religious songwriting
[edit]In theChristianhymn-singing tradition, many of the popular pieces have words written to fit existing melodies. TheChristmas carol"What Child Is This?"had its words set to an old English folk tune that had been a lover's lament,"Greensleeves".The English composerRalph Vaughan Williamsset existing poems, such as those byWilliam CowperandCharles Wesley,to traditional folk tunes to create hymns, many of which he published inThe English Hymnal.A different way this happened was the combination of unrelated words and tune, such as "The Star-Spangled Banner",thenational anthemof the United States, with words written byFrancis Scott Keystrictly as a poem, later set to the tune of an old drinking song.[citation needed]
Classical music
[edit]In opera, thelibrettistis responsible for all text, whether spoken or sung inrecitativeoraria.[citation needed]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^"Why musicians should know about copyright".copyright.gov.Retrieved17 October2023.
- ^Portman, Jamie (April 5, 1974)."A great song-writer passes from the scene".The Calgary Herald.p. 81. Retrieved May 1, 2021.
- ^Campbell, Mary (August 9, 1965)."Piano Stylist: Garner Stays Close to Melody".Asbury Park Press.p. 15. Retrieved May 1, 2021.
- ^Lloyd, Jack (May 18, 1976)."The silent partner of Elton John is finally speaking up".The Philadelphia Inquirer.p. 15. Retrieved May 1, 2021.
- ^abJason Newman."It Takes Two:10 Songwriting Duos That Rocked Music History".Billboard.
External links
[edit]
Media related toLyricistsat Wikimedia Commons
