#148

by Robert Hazard*

but probably still makes her a livable income

#149

Written by, aye. Would probably imagine it generates a livable income for her and certainly tops his up quite nicely, depending on the publishing deal they arranged.

speaking of which has anyone ever checked out Terius Nash/The-Dream’s songwriting catalogue? He’s famously very on the ball at making sure he gets full publishing and royalties deals, no buy-outs. Not even clued up enough to guess whether this is netting him 10s or 100s of millions p/a but a few of those (Baby, Single Ladies, Umbrella) are probably equivalent to a winning lottery ticket each, over a lifetime

2 Likes
#150

yeah, similarly Cathy Dennis must be doing alright

2 Likes
#152

Yeah even songwriters who I’d never considered any good (I am not for a second implying your friend isn’t any good) pop up as songwriters for hire. Yer man from Athlete’s now writing loads of pop stuff for instance. Good work if you can get it.

Wonder how Tobias Jesso Jr.'s getting on. Released his debut a few years back. Probably didn’t even break even. Next thing you know Adele’s called him up and he’s written ‘When We Were Young’ with her. 50% credit. Released as a single. Fuck knows how many copies that album sold. He must be absolutely sorted.

1 Like
#154

Yeah I really liked it. Like it’d been dug out from the 70s. Right up my street. I like it when things like this happen.

I’d say Athlete’s melodies were mostly rather passable myself. But sure he could knock them out and fair play to him.

#155

There was an awful lot of post-Embrace/Coldplay sappy balladry in the early 00s, but I reckon Wires is the sub-genre at its finest.

4 Likes
#156

Diane Warren’s worth a mention actually. Look at this 2 year run:

Unbreak My Heart (Toni Braxton)
Because You Loved Me (Celine Dion)
How Do I Live? (LeAnn Rimes)
I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing (Aerosmith)

Sole writing credit on all of them. How much do you think she’s earned off those 4? A shade over £35k pa I’d muster.

7 Likes
#157

they are all the same song though

that’s cheating

5 Likes
#158

They’re all distinct enough I’d say. I mean they’re all 4/4 (Aerosmith might be 2/4 actually) and in slow tempo but they’re fine.

#159

I remember watching Sunday Brunch once and there was some gormless guy on as a guest who seemed to the front man of some terrible US pop rock band, then they interviewed him and they were talking about working with Beyonce and stuff, looked him up and he’s written some of the biggest pop hits of the past decade:

Presumably OneRepublic could be the world’s biggest vanity project and never sell a single record and he’d still be rich as Midas.

1 Like
#160

Ah Aerosmith’s Pachabel’s Canon isn’t it.

That’s another one for the list.

#161

Basketcase by Green Day and Closing Time by Semisonic are both versions of Pachebel’s canon aren’t they?

#162

Whatever by Oasis, too

and When A Man Loves A Woman (in 6/8)

#163

Just googled it and there are loads! It’s the ur-pop song.

1 Like
#164

Not quite in either case I don’t think. Both miss the final chord. Not sure Closing Time has the minor in it either. Could be wrong.

#165

Fucking shitloads are. It’s a hell of a melody.

#166

This is wrong actually. Haha trying to work it out whilst listening to other music on my earphones - good one.

#167

Pachelbel must be raking it in

3 Likes
#168

its the one with all the brass that goes ‘wish i was at home for christmas’

#169

I would not be surprised if this was the only major pop hit he’s actually got a writing credit on https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C_U_When_U_Get_There