How to sell your songs to recording artists
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 28 ก.ย. 2024
- If you dream of hearing your songs on the radio, here is some basic information about how songs get cut. Get more info on the craft and business of songwriting at www.barbaracloyd.com.
She kept it real. She let you know what the playing field is...
One of the first straight-talking and knowledgeable people I've ever heard address this subject. Thank you, Barbara.
Thank you. Glad you liked it.
I wrote a song called “why” after my wife and I had a stillborn baby and I remember that I worked on it and just sang it over and over again in the house for weeks after it happened. It helped me heal, but at the same time it tortured my wife having to hear it over and over again. She couldn’t understand why I would want to write such a sad song. That song was never put on an album or even professionally recorded by me, but it needed to be written. I did post it here on TH-cam and I’ve received comments and emails from people who related with it and it helped them with a loss that they had, so that was nice. I’m 41 now and I probably have 50 or so songs that I wrote over the years and I just wish that they would have at least been professionally recorded. I’m actually from Sumter SC, the same place as Lee Brice. We graduated from the same school, but he actually went to Nashville and it took him 10 years to make it. I just stayed here in town thinking someone was gonna magically find me. Lol! Guess it doesn’t work that way.
There are many important reasons to write songs. The value of music isn't necessarily monetary.
Thanks, Barbara, for the info! I've been writing songs since I was a kid and I agree, if I never make a dime, I still have to write. if it's in you, it's in you, and needs to come out.
I have the same issue...It always come back...Whenever I run away...It's getting even harder to get rid of that feeling the more I age...
@@jeannewambo6959 Yep! It's all about the music.. It's all about the song. :)
Yes 🙌🏼
Barbara thank you for this direct and precise information. I'm so glad I watched your video, it makes complete sense, great advice, loved listening to you speak.. I am going to your website. Would love to hear more from you.
Thank you very much for this straight forward, honest information. :)
Glad you like it!
thank u for your time in doing this vid....it is informative for folks that do know know this end of it...knowing everybody in Nashville sings, everybody writes.....i know its tough. if u want to make in Nashville u gotta be there and grind it out like everyone else did...
Every part of this was excellent advice. Thank you.
Glad it was helpful to you.
Great tips. Thank you very much for taking the time to publish this.
BEAUTIFUL STRAIGHT FORWARD IS ALL WE CAN ASK FOR THANK YOU BE BLESSED.
Thanks you. I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Such a great video! Thank you Barbara!
Lovely video.
Barbara,
Thank you your video was exactly what I needed.
I’m that guy who’s friend say I should be famous .
I just want to write my songs and sing them.
Barbara, what you say rings true. Thank you!
I’ve written, produced, sang and played and recorded eight albums in nine years in an independent studio .with a few musicians I hired …...just me and the engineer. example…Song ..Comets Fall ..Joni armel TH-cam/topic ..Spotify..etc.
Nice video. I'm not a songwriter and don't have a desire to be one. However, I have one American Patriotic song (kind of like "Proud to be an American") that I'd like to pitch to a Country Artist. Should I even bother or would it be a waste of time?
I’m very grateful for this video
Great great information, thank you
Glad you liked it.
yes, people tell me they like my songs alot, I play rock mostly and play all instruments, I also dabble in other fun songs and styles that might work, I just need help recording and figuring stuff out so I can concentrate on playing 4 or 5 parts with instruments and vocals ....so how do I get a manager to listen?
I just wrote the tightest song that I think Alice in Chains would be interested in. I would like too get a hold of Jerry Cantrell. I used to drive through Monroe all the time going skiing when I lived in Seattle. I grew up during the Seattle music scene. I can sing it for you if you pay attention to this kind of stuff. I know Heidi who used to go over to your place in 95 or 96. Anyway if you could give me a shot I would appreciate it. Thanks
Thank you for this video, it really helps
love this, thank you!!!!
Great we are musicians and want to sell our folk country songs
Hey my question is let’s say theoretically that you have a gem of a song and it gets cut by a major artist, what will typically be the payout for a song no strings attached. Like I don’t want my name associated with the song and they get 100% ownership.
I have not heard of songs being way in Nashville. People in the music business don't use the term "selling songs." They talk about "getting songs cut." I only used that term because I thought people who were looking for this information would use it in their search.
Good information thanks... what about children's music..
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Define what a song is. 02:50 The examples are "Write three chords and badly broken wanna-be poetry." Then the video concludes by saying that songwriting is very hard and very competitive. Show the orchestrated song charts as proof that any nashville songwriter is "professional"... or it didn't happen
Music publishers like agents
Songwriter association
ANYTHING IS BETTER THAN WHAT IS ON THE RADIO TODAY !!!! COUNTRY MUSIC IS NOT COUNTRY MUSIC ANY MORE !!!!
2 things I know are true. Country music will keep changing, and people will keep complaining that it does. You have a right to your opinion. So do the millions of people who fill stadiums at high prices to see the current artists they love.
I think this is bull, not that I have any songs published but its all about producers telling people what they want them to listen
to. I have written songs and sent them all over the country, its not about boom boom, its that big brother telling you what they like. Hank Williams Sr., Waylon Jennings and others bucked the system and wrote songs that went some place. the problem is to many fingers in the artist pie. I have heard a lot about how artist ate out of garbage cans before they made it big with the music industry, some of it is true but I have seen talent that should have been thrown a hole somewhere and others that were down right great but didnt make it. all these so called music gurus that know more than jon q public just dont get it. its pure greed, how many "B" side songs made it and the "A" side didnt. Everybody is a scholar when it comes to music they wrote, that they sold . its just my opinion
I'm just being truthful about the way it is so that people who want to pursue a songwriting career in this market can have a better understanding of what they're up against.
Too negative for me
I've been writing songs for years, yet I've only had them copy-written! The music industry is a tough sell. I've found that being directly connected with folks in the industry is the only chance that most will even have at getting their music introduced. It's basically who you know. There is clearly an unfair advantage, as insiders have total control over who they choose to introduce. It's a good thing that I just write and produce as a top hobby. 🎶
I agree with you that the music business is tough, but I have a hard time seeing it as unfair. Hardly anyone who is successful today started out with good connections. They moved here and worked extremely hard for many years, both on learning the craft and building relationships. Why should someone who hasn't done that have the same advantages they do?
Barbara Cloyd: Some aren't in a position to give-it-all-up, uproot and adhere to such a gamble. Anything that's worth having is worth a little struggle, but many start-out at a disadvantage. If I were ever to consider, I'd choose to sell a cut outright. The politics of the business is slithering with desert rattles and vicious vipers. Countless have been royally drilled.
Hi Tony, check out on TH-cam, the Two Cup method. Nothing to do as such with music, but you may find astonishing results!
Yeah, it's definitely just a hobby for me as well. Getting your song to big time music labels is definitely up there with trying to win the lottery though I think there are better odds of winning the lottery than hearing your song on the radio performed by a major artist.
@@tonysteel1377 People live on the street to pursue this dream. I have this dream and I feel like a moron moving out of home so young when I could have just stayed there as long as possible and perfected my craft. Now juggling it with work and life is real hard, but it's the choices I made that put me here. I still have the choice to quit everything and devote all my time to practice, but until I do that, I can't be too bitter about things. You'll see that there are people who just work ridiculously hard to get what they want, and it's not at all unfair to those who for whatever reason, did not put in the time.
Hi Barbara I have followed my dream and have had an offer made by diamond garden music for one of my songs to be published. I wrote my song highway of memories 8 years ago and have spent those 8 tears sending this song to countless publishers and finally received an email from Eric Last week. Needless to say I am over joyed that my song has finally been excepted by a top Nashville publisher. So every one should follow there dream and keep up the long slog as it can pay off. I have actually been writing for 25 years starting with poetry, then someone suggested that I should try having music set to them. Now the rest will be history I believe.
Let us know when it is out so we can listen!
How do find publishers?
11 months have passed, how did the deal go
Never 'sell' your songs. License them.
Selling your songs is the equivalent to releasing ownership of your masters. If you’d license your work, then you’re able to secure a royalty deal. Hope this helps.
@@tonysteel1377 is that the same for copywritten
@@Jesusisking3733: It is wise to always have your works protected. This is the only legal method that’ll validate your creations, also referred to as intellectual property. It is not illegal for a team to do a cover of your song, but avoiding the legal rate of federally mandated payment to you is.
@@tonysteel1377 I dont know much about the legal side of songwriting, but should I copywright my songs before showing them to artists? Even if I show them just a piece of the song, like the hook etc?
@@philipjnz9923 Yes, copyright all original works immediately once created.
aim to be timeless not chart fodder...
Or both maybe?
I genuinely believe that's the best way to approach it, most publishers are looking for long money, so they want something that will still be played in 10 or 20 years, if it's too specific to a certain thing going on at that particular moment then your song will disappear when that scene disappears
Thank you for this video and THANK YOU FOR BEING STRIGHT FORWARD TO MANY PEOPLE DONT DO THAT MY HUSBAND AND I ARE songwritters we do not want to be singers we have wrote somewhere around 5000 songs now one of them is actually already on TH-cam under cayden cole and we would love just to write and compose and not have to deal with the road life do much but again thank you for youre wizdom and time
It's very frustrating to know you have r what I call radio ready songs and can't get them released
Okay writers and musicians here is the deal:
If you can write lyrics and music, but cannot sing a note, find someone local to sing your songs. Then, I don't care if you hit record on your iPhone or Samsung or whatever, get something recorded. Then, listen to it carefully for a few times, but don't wear your ears out they get tired like any other part of the body that you wear out. Listen to it again the next day then again and again. Let other trusted, honest opinion people who like music hear it. Take notes and write down comments.
Then it's TRUTH time; is the song any good? Be honest with yourself. What reactions did you receive and how do you feel about this piece? Remember, choose ONE of your best creations for this. Do not proceed to RUN until you walk first. Most importantly, trust the Lord and believe in your talent. Hard work and diligence always pays off. Just remember to record your work, even if something pops in your head---break out the phone and record! Everyone can hum just so you do not forget...
As far as moving to the STARS and being well known? It will come. IF YOU ARE GOOD AND POLISHED. Question is, do you love this work enough to even write for local musicians or your church if you don't reach the STARS? If the answer is yes, you are doing very well. Keep writing, and don't give up.
She is right, but Don Williams and Kris Kristoferson have self pitying lyrics. Take advice, but follow your instincts...
Times change. They both had careers in a different era. ASCAP VP Ralph Murphy says that country music used to be for the barroom at 11 pm, now it's for drive time at 7 am.
But I do agree that the best plan is to "take advice but follow your instincts."
They were also their own artists and therefore their own outlet. They didn't have to get their songs cut by someone else. They recorded and released them themselves. Big difference from a songwriter who isn't the artist trying to get someone to record their songs.
Sending them messages on their social media platforms doesn't work. Most ignore and that hurts, believe me, I've been there.
I wrote 12 songs. I can't sing, I can't play an instrument. I want a million bucks now, someone buy them.
Inelegant Savior mood all 2019 🙌🏽
maybe
Recording artist don’t just want song lyrics unfortunately they want the full production in mp3 format they want to remake a finished song with music production and recorded vocals the final product
I sing & play let's see what we can do,
Lol, eloquently put.
This was a terrible video. It’s always the people who have been “in it” for 20+ years who never actually want to give legitimate, helpful input but want you to “rethink your decision” of pursuing. I’m an actor and could give ANYONE advice and real help to break into the business instead of being negative and saying “hey it’s not for everyone.” Gotta leave a dislike on this video. Follow your dreams kids.
Thanks for your advice and help on song writing, I'm 52 years old and have a few songs I wrote many years ago back in the 90s, one of those songs was written about 9/11 it was my very first country song, but now I feel it's sometimes impossible to get it out there, because I don't have a singing voice, no do I play any type of instruments, but I still have a passion for music and song writing.
The biggest selling song of all time is
Happy Birthday.
Not very original but it applies to everyone.
Interesting fact about the song few know. Royalties for the song cost $25,000. So if you see/hear it in a movie, they paid that amount to be able to include it in the movie. Also It is actually against the law to sing Happy Birthday in a large group of unrelated people such as at an office party unless you pay royalties. Think about that next time you throw a party for your boss.. The song has brought in an estimated $50 million. It was written in the 1890's.
Thanks for sharing this! It’s refreshing to see something on songwriting that just feels honest and real and isn’t just tying to get people to subscribe. Appreciate it!
Thanks, James. That was my intention.
I'm doing the copyright thing this weekend I've decided to just start playing mine on TH-cam been writing songs 30 years just now got good enough Country meets pink Floyd new completely different beautiful love songs
Nashville is just one slice of the pie so a bit generalized but great advice Barbara. It is definitely a tough business from all those music producing & publishing houses and the media filling plenty of needs. But I still believe there are artists looking for that needle in the haystack due to the fact that some of my favorites usually come from small or self produced labels. This is what inspires me to keep on writing besides the love of writing. One thing I think I've discovered that further complicates things is that most independent artist usually have writing composing ability up until there second or third album then they begin searching for new avenues. This can be a ideal time to sell arrangements if you happen to locate them. So timing is crucial too.
That's a great point about pitching to independent artists after their 1st few albums. It it might not be money you can live on, but totally satisfying nonetheless.
I love this! I usually write songs to be creative and to share with friends and family. However, I sometimes start dreaming about making it big. This passion of mine will lose its charm if I keep thinking like that. Thanks for the honesty!
I'm glad I helped you understand what chasing that dream might look like and that you have decided to stick with what gives you joy.
You nailed it! Become a professional writer...
You give some great advice.. I chose not to try and pitch my songs to anyone, I write them, pay for studio time and produce them myself, then run them through CDBABY as my online agent to distribute them digitally, then let them release them and hopefully collect some revenue from royalties. Could I have done better financially trying to land a deal from a big artist...possibly. I've had one of my songs reach over 20 million TH-cam hits, several more with over a million hits, and now an audiobook approaching a half million downloads, and I own all the content 100%. My point is, if you have quality material that you have written it will spread organically if it's good and if it connects with the listener. Don't be discouraged if a big label doesn't want your material because the cream of the crop CAN rise to the top without them...but it has to be above average...
That is fantastic advice. I agree whole heartedly. If you want to go
the mainstream commercial route, it puts a lot of restrictions on how you can express yourself. Thanks to the low cost of digital recording and the access to social media, it is much easier to promote your own music. Because there is more access, there is also more competition, but the cream does rise to the top.
Hello Ms. Cloyd, Thank you so very much for the candid style of communication. I am so much smarter since viewing your channel. I will implement a lot of what you said even if I'm the only one that will ever hear of appreciate it.
You are honest. Thank you. I wrote a song that meets your criteria. Wish me luck!
Good luck! 🙂
This was helpful information. I have hundreds of song ideas I've accumulated over the years and I would love to see some of them turned into real songs by recording artists.
I’ve written song since 5 years
I decided to sell them
I write with many languages
English, Turkish, arabic
you seem honest. been so many sites. they are all scammers..
Sounds a lot like the old pitch of “buy government forclosed houses for pennies on the dollar”. Wait come to our workshop where we will teach you how.
Prove it lady. What songs are you making a living from ?
Thank you for this... and honestly, this is exactly what I thought. I've gotten close to a start with a few producers but my unknown name doesn't carry enough weight when they are presented other opportunities. I get that, truly. I'm going to start researching the music publishers. I mean... why not, right? Again, thank you. It's as if the club can't even be talked about when questions are asked. Yet, my last few straws was a Google search and now I'm better for it. God bless.
So I wrote what I think is a hit country song. The title is...
" She done turned me gay"
Is there a particular artist that might want to hear this ?
I have to say that's original. It's original because I've never heard it before. I've never heard it before not because you are the only only one who has thought of it, but because no big artist has, or ever will have, the balls to say that to his fans, even if it were true. Which brings up another question to ponder, can someone "turn" you ?
Your missing the point. It's the comedy of being with a woman so bad, you say hell with it.
Make it metal and call steel panther. Lol
@@donstanley9943 😂😂🤣😭😭😭😭😭😭😭🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
😂😂🤣🤣😭😭😭😭
Thank you Barbara , i appreciate your knowledge , it's important to me .
It's a tough subject. Some writers tell you to be different others tell you not to reinvent the wheel. What they want is something sticky and marketable. If you can reach that at least, you have a fair shot. Don't lost your mind trying to be so different. There is a box in music you have to stay in.
Classic advice! We teach a lot of this same info at SongTown
I’m only 15 years old... How can I do this?
There are a lot of videos on my TH-cam channel that might be helpful to you. In particular, there is a full series called building a songwriting career.
I write rock & roll songs, so I'm looking for a young group of guys to play my music and promote it as their own. Rock & roll will eventually make a comeback, so it would be a good thing for a new young group to be prepared in advance with an arsenal of songs. Any new young group interested in playing original rock/pop songs should send me a reply and I will send you the song links so you can determine for yourself if it's the type of stuff you'd be interested in playing and promoting.
The best songs that I've ever read or heard came from people I knew that had the gift coupled with their life experience which usually meant that they were down and out and and have went through sheer hell
Don't overthink it. If you have a great song, it's a great song period. Show it off in a professional manner and act like you're already there!
In just 10 minutes this person perfectly describes what virtually every publisher/songwriter has said in every video I've watched, so much anger in the comments section, if you don't like the truth don't complain about it, find a way to adapt to it
True words, Lewis. It is what it is.
I have a great song for Chris Stapleton but I have no lyrics the song will show you exactly where the lyrics go !!! is it recommended to show him the song without lyics I'm not greedy ill share royalties?
" IT ONCE WAS A PARADISE " : " COLD MOUNTAIN " : " SKYSAIL JACK " . By Ian Scott . And many more ; this guy can really write ! See TH-cam.
Thanks Barbara 🙏🎶
I got my life's story and I can't sing cuz I don't know
I think you're beautiful.. thank you so much for the conclusion. :) Very valuable information.
Do you have an idea of how I could share my music for someone else to sing? Like i don’t want to release a song as my song as I don’t want to be the singer for it… my songs would be for someone else to sing
Thanks for your explanation, please can you give any contact of trusted agency where i can pitch my songs ?
Barbara thank you for your time and info. I hope all is well. What's the name of the song you were referring to? Thank you once again.
I am not a song writer but a writer too like story . Also, I can sing good english song too. I like singing song compose by myself and I don't feel like singing song of others artist because it makes me able to sing more and more good song in best way forming beautiful tune. I like to sell my song to good artist, please help me.
Greetings nice upload thanks!!!!
I'm no professional, not even an unprofessional. My tidbits are nothing more than just that. I would think a good story teller would write their story for their future, current or past self.
I would think it loses some soul when you focus on a Genre or artist and try to tailor to them rather than write and then find the write fit for your story.
If I can listen to a song and it it makes me feel like I'm standing unedited in front of a mirror, I feel as though the song writer wrote it unedited in front of a mirror.
But, then again, these are not usually the quick cash grab top 40 hits. They do however last through time and are passed down through generations.
I just think sincerity, truth and and loyalty to yourself in writing goes further than flattery writing. You can grab someone's attention for a long time or show them a quick card trick.
I put my song on pontchartrain films Roxanne and Maryanne.you tube.it was very helpful.
Lord have mercy is this what songwriting has come to these days excuse me but you have no idea 💡 what real songwriters feel
What if I just write songs that I want some artist to sing because I don't think I can sing? I just want someone to sing my songs? I'm not a singer what do I do?
4:55 Old, Out of shape, and Feeling week and a Victim while doing something unkind and immoral? I think that is the ticket to success. If I get every songwriter to give me 5 dollars for their song that includes all of these elements, I will be rich! 99 percent of the listeners will relate. Just saying. LOL
🤣🤣🤣
I don't want to be a knowen I would just like for a country singer to take my song I wrote and put it into there own way how do I do that
This was so good.
She mentions that 'maybe what she's saying is not what you want to hear', this is so important. Like I feel there's a thick line between people that look for that magical formula and people that are willing to see how the learn actually works, accept it and find a way to be successful, no matter how hard.
Thank you for this video.
So knowledgeable and straightforward, this is wonderful Barbara.
Also i can sing them on a quick demo for them to fix and work with.
The input I get from Professionals, is the CRAP I hear on the radio. Country RAP is CRAP. George Strait & Alan Jackson put out a song about Who killed Country music. It's format was a few chords, a turnaround & a sweet ending. It will be playing on the radio for the next 100 years. Some of the stuff I hear on the radio, won't be heard, ever again, it's junk. Let's follow the money... I ain't bought a CD since 85, even these kids get tired of putrid music, that you can't two step to. Since there are two formats for Country, the dance song & the concert song. But the good ones get a rhythm going in your heart & maybe that person buys a CD...... Winner.... I'm 80 , so my hopes might go away soon... I did get one song published, it was on the Oklahoma City Bombing Album, the writers gave the money to charity...
Two thing I know are true.
1 Country music will continue to change.
2 People will continue to complain when it does,
Two more things I know are true:
1 There are some amazing songs on the radio in every era.
2 There is a lot of forgettable stuff on the radio in every ear.
I think Barbara offers some sound advice here and I'm particularly grateful for this information. Having read some of the negative comments, I checked out 'I Guess You Had To Be There' and it's a great track with a very well written lyric. No surprise it got recorded. Thank you Barbara!
Oh darlin' thank you for the video! I'm a songwriter but in a rock band and I am often fighting between going full songwriter or staying with a band where we can record and publish ourselves!
Do you have a "Run it by me "listening facility?
Glad I took the time to listen to you. You are very easy to listen to and obviously have good experience and wisdom to share. I have a lot of songs from years of writing that are just collecting dust. Sad really! Wish I had devoted more time to sharing my music instead of driving truck just to pay the bills.
It's never too late. TH-cam and other social media give you a way to go straight to the public without needing the music business.
Thought i put the right email? Thanks for calling me today
Who is more delusional? The amateur songwriter who thinks their song is a #1 hit? Or the artists with an album of 12 mediocre pro songs they think will all be #1 songs?
Well, the main difference I see is that the artist probably spent a lot more money on recordings.
NYC / NASHVILLE/ EL AY....................The 3 cities in USA.
I sing and write my own songs
That’s awesome! Anything on SoundCloud?
Thank you, Barbara! I played at a Monday Open Mic at the Bluebird last summer, and it was a great experience. You were just as helpful then, as you are in this video. Again, Thank you for the information.
Great advice and ended on a really positive note. Songs are so valuable whether they get heard or not. Thanks Barbara.
Been writing song lyrics for years and poetry and I need one break this is good advice
I am lyricist I write in Indian and English language.
Kool vid, great info. I relate to your passion, songwriting is my life, obsessed with it
I'd love to have a chat with you, do you have an email address I could send you an email on?
i enterred contests in nashville didnt work out..
How it is that this lady doesn't have 5 million followers i don't know. Without a doubt the best at simplifying how and what to do. Thank you for your knowledge on this subject.
Thanks for the kind words.