Credits: What would you do?

tomnomnom91 · #1 02-14-2013, 05:26 PM

Hey guys, I've just got a question about credits and was wondering what you might do in my situation.

To keep it brief, I'm in a band at uni and we're working on an EP. We've got 5 songs written and are in the process of being recorded. I wrote 90% of the music and lyrics for 3 of the songs, and 100% for another one. The remaining song we all wrote together. The ones I wrote have just been tweaked slightly in terms of arrangement by the other members. We also recently lost our rhythm guitarist, so I'm doing a lot of the guitar work in the studio (probably around 70%), along with engineering and mixing everything.

My question is, should I push for full credit for the songs I wrote, and what I performed and mixed on the EP, or would that just be nitpicking? I'm more concerned about us appearing to be a completely cohesive unit, and therefore it might make sense for me to take one for the team and just have "All songs written, performed and produced by Viszera" or whatever, rather than combing through everything and detailing who did exactly what in the credits. The flip side is, could this come back to bite me later on, say if I need to officially claim ownership of the songs, but they're labelled on the EP as by the full band. I'm working towards a career in the industry and don't want to sacrifice specific credit for aspects of this EP if it might call certain things into question later on. Also, there's no copyright on these songs. Would it make sense for me to copyright them in my name and just have the full band credited on the EP?

nb We don't have a bandleader, it's a total democracy. What's probably unhelpful is the others aren't particularly bothered what we do with credits, but I don't want to come across as some glory hogger and sort of push them aside, if you see what I mean? But the fact is I've put a lot more work into this than the others have, and they acknowledge that and we're all ok with that, because it just works for us. That and I'm a perfectionist.

Sonicfrog · #2 02-14-2013, 05:34 PM

This is an interesting question.

If the songs you wrote are special to you, really meaningful, and are songs you can see using in the future if you ever go out on your own, claim them. The ones where there was more of a colaborative effort in shaping the songs, do a band credit. Keep in mind other band members might want separate individualized credits too.

This is something you guys need to have worked out before the album is finished.

ChrisB2 · #3 02-14-2013, 05:38 PM

How well do you like these guys, how well do you know them, how strongly do you want to stay on good terms with them? Juxtapose that with how strongly you want to establish yourself in the industry.

This analysis would guide my decision. If I felt strongly that I wanted to maintain my relationships with these guys, and I wasn't too worried about the credits, I would go for group credit. Conversely if the relationships were casual and superficial and I was a demon about my career, I would push for getting all the credit I could.

Just my 2¢. Good luck!

thebbconspiracy · #4 02-14-2013, 08:06 PM

I usually get the credit for writing the songs in my band. I do kind of what the Police did. Sting is listed as writer, and Copeland and Summers are listed as arrangers. Or just as the Police as arrangers. My band is happy with that arrangement.

MarkMgibson · #5 02-15-2013, 07:29 AM

If you wrote the songs, then you put your own name to them. This is especially true since you intend to make music your profession. I've worked on a lot of songs in regards to helping with arrangements, but I certainly didn't write the songs, and I never expected writing credits.

What you said about it "coming back to bite you" is quite true. Unless one/or more of your band members made a significant change to a song, then you wrote it and you should take full credit for it.

I'm a terrible song-writer, just so you know my opinion is simply that of a musician.

Regards,
Mark

JakeF · #6 02-15-2013, 10:32 AM

Just make sure you get credit for the "lyrics".

The lyrics/words is the publishing and is what is worth the real money.

The rest is negotiable.

bearfoot · #7 02-17-2013, 02:12 PM

Its my understanding that the "song" is defined as a melody + lyric. Basslines, guitar, drums, etc. are arranging credits.

nashvillebill · #8 02-17-2013, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JakeF

Just make sure you get credit for the "lyrics".

The lyrics/words is the publishing and is what is worth the real money.

The rest is negotiable.

+1

tomnomnom91 · #9 02-17-2013, 02:46 PM

Thanks for all your replies, much appreciated! I'm liking the idea of taking the songwriting credit and then giving the full band arrangement credits. Because, even though I did the full arrangements in some cases, it's still a decent compromise. We've got a band meeting in a couple of days so I'll put this idea to the others then.

Crazyeelboy · #10 02-17-2013, 04:07 PM

Don't forget rights to the recrdings - that is different from rights to the compositions.

IngerAlb · #11 02-17-2013, 04:13 PM

This is the kind of issue that may break a band. You should discuss about it ASAP.

If you don't claim your rights over a song and credit the whole band for it, it will be difficult (if not impossible) to get credited later on.

FWIW, in my band all the songs are written either by me or the guitarist. Usually full songs, not just a riff or a chorus. The vocalist takes care of the lyrics. But on the album, it's stated "all music & lyrics by X band" - why? Because that feels right - at least in our case. We value the work of the other band members and sometimes an arrangement can change the whole song for the better or a small idea can transform an ordinary song into a gem by adding that special something that was missing. So just because you came up with the song, doesn't mean it would have sounded that cool without the input of your band mates. But that's just us.

MarkMgibson · #12 02-18-2013, 05:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bearfoot

Its my understanding that the "song" is defined as a melody + lyric. Basslines, guitar, drums, etc. are arranging credits.

That's my understanding too. Arranging credits don't mean much. Musicians should always be credited for their performance, but song-writing credits are different - if that song is picked up by a big name artist and is a hit, it's the song-writer who'll be getting the big royalty cheques. That's fair. J.J Cale made a fortune off Clapton's covers of some of his songs "After Midnight" and "Cocaine". The guys that played on the original recording didn't write the song, so J.J. Cale deserved the money for writing great songs.

Violen · #13 02-18-2013, 05:48 PM

If they don't seem to care, don't make an issue of it. say you want to do X, or do Y or whatever. If they dont seem interested, then it isnt a big deal unless you end up on the radio.

My suggestion is put Songs are written by _Your name here_ and _Band name here_

You see that a lot.

I guess it comes down to the royalties if they were to happen right? If there arent any, then its just a historical checkmark.