Creating good music is not easy. It entails a lot of hardwork. And brain work. It is the lot of songwriters to write such music where the musician is not so talented. DANIEL ESSIET writes.
Record companies depend on the huge earnings from albums that ride high on the charts for a year or more. These albums contain hit songs. But albums can seldom sustain that kind of momentum without a stream of hit singles, which get the airplay that stimulates sales. Songs that will rule the air waves for months are composed with what seems like a binding appeal. Such is the power of a hit song.
But not everyone has the talent to write hit songs. Few singers have the knack for writing half an album’s worth of sure-fire hits (records that are sure to sell). Many artistes don’t write their own songs. They rely on songwriters and lyricists for new and original songs. Because of this, good songwriters make good incomes, as they have several artistes on their payroll. Sidelined for years by performers who composed their own songs, writers are now among the industry’s most valuable players. Right now, the craft of songwriting is bigger than ever because the stakes are higher.
Increasingly, hits are coming from songwriters and the demand for them its high, with the rise of pop divas, such as Whitney Houston, who sold nine million copies of one of her hit albums. But the singer doesn’t write her own songs. She relies on songwriters.
Speaking after a presentation on song writing at the Christian Song Writers Conference in Lagos, Grammy award winner for songwriting and writer of songs recorded by Don Moen, Ron Kenoly, Alvin Slaughter and others, David Baroni told The Nation that there is high demand for good song writers.
The industry, he said, needs new songs to sustain its growth. A national number one song can earn its author more than N5 million in one year. Individuals who are tal-ented in expressing themselves with words, he said, can develop careers writing words to songs. Baroni is successful because he enjoys putting words together. He works every day at trying to improve his writing.
As a celebrated Christian song writer, Baroni is fascinated with putting words together and seeing how a collection of words can produce a profound effect on people. He is meticulous with every word and every chord that he uses. He wants every song he writes to be a potential hit. While playing an instrument is not a requirement, Baroni said it is an asset. For him, the most important thing is having an ear for harmonies and the basic knowledge of chords.
While talent is a wonderful thing, which some musicians have, he said what separates the wheat from the chaff is what the artistes do after the inspiration is over.
By digging in, doing the work, and following through, Baroni said one would get a much better shot at the kind of songwriting successful people all dream about.
Industry wide, songwriters compose music, write lyrics, or both. Those who write both lyrics and melody make a lot of money if they sell their songs. The songwriter also receives royalties each time the song is performed. They also receive a negotiated fee if the song is synchronised in a movie or TV show. If the song is printed, the writer receives a percentage of that as well. Songwriting guilds track this information and pay songwriters who are members of their guild.
Individual songwriters approach the business of writing in many different ways. Some schedule daily time to write alone or with a co-writer. Others wait until inspiration strikes and then they write until that song is finished. Most are comfortable writing both words and melody, but some may only compose music or write the lyrics. International music publishers provide a writing room for staff songwriters, where most writers keep regimented schedules and booking co-writing appointments.
Other writers, particularly those with home recording studios or music rooms, will begin work on an idea and continue until they have completed the song, or reached total exhaustion. Often, they will lay down tracks or record work in process.
According to him, there are some writers who learnt how to write and became successful. There are also others who just knew that they were songwriters and wrote songs.
Chief Executive, Fountain of Praise, Wale Adenuga, has written some of the well- loved praise and worship songs.
He is an exceptional mentor. He is organised, efficient, creative and a genius when it comes to songwriting. Adenuga is a performing songwriter. He creates and performs his own music. He has worked as a solo act and a leader of a group. He is one of the few good song writers that have worked in the music industry for more than 10 years.
Addressing a workshop, Adenuga said songs are written for the people and that when he is writing a song, he imagines performing it. As with anything, Adenuga said experience and practice make one’s skills more proficient.
He said anyone who is in the songwriting industry must have excellent communication skills. According to him, the basic, real-life emotions people express in their everyday relationships are the building blocks of songs that tap into the lives of listeners. Song titles and ideas are in the air, adding that it is the job of the songwriter to catch these fleeting thoughts as they fly by. He said plenty of songwritings go on in moving vehicles. When a bolt of inspiration strikes, he said many writers break out cassette tape recorders or tiny digital recorders to catch the spark. He is never without his phone or a mini-cassette recorder.
Besides, Adenuga said he is constantly open and receptive to the nonstop flow of ideas.
Adenuga writes with verse, chorus, verse, bridge and chorus. Sometimes the structure of the song changes according to inspiration.
He also has specific tempos in mind to suit certain songs. He said songwriters have to be well-versed in a wide variety of musical styles, in addition to their own area of specialisation. He said it is an important capability for them to develop if they are desirious of tapping into the wide range of employment opportunities and projects.
Virtually all songwriters started out by playing one or more musical instruments and they may have even joined a band or orchestra at some point in their lives. They often continue to do so while engaged in their songwriting career. Many employment opportunities typically require applicants to have a bachelors degree, either in music composition or a related field.
Adenuga created the workshop series with the goal of educating people in the craft and business of songwriting. The participants explored the techniques and inspirations for writing good song and the process of breaking into the music business and getting songs recorded.
Akinbode Kehinde Olumide fondly known as Kenny Kore, a former lead singer of the multiple awards winning gospel group. Infinity, is a gifted and versatile songwriter. He believes in bridging the extremities between art and spirit. With a memorable voice that speaks loud, Kore’s musical compositions canvas an array of real-life emotions. He has written numerous hit songs.
His album entitled: Eledumare gained massive airplay in most radio stations. No matter what genre of music, he said the songwriter is important. Kore said good music is identified by a good lyrical content. He lamented, however, that artistes want to make fast money and by so doing, they don’t attach importance to their lyrics.
Kore said music artists need to break out of that captivity and shatter the ceiling of complexity.
To become a strong songwriter, he said one must be able to think creatively to come up with strong lyrics, and also play a musical instrument well enough to perform in front of an audience. Kore said the musical content should preach the good news and encourage Nigerians to be responsible, respectful and love themselves. He said a good story or lyrics must actually say something. Kore said a song writer has to write lyrics that would bring imagery to the listener and a hook to it. He said songwriting is an art. Like all art, he said songs require a healthy dose of inspiration which is nearly impossible to predict or control. He said the spark that results in the creation of a song is a gift, but the rest of the process is nothing more or less human work. By following through in a variety of different ways, he said one stands a much better chance of achieving the goal of getting one’s songs out and hopefully generating some income.
Kore advised song writers to be original and never rest on their oars, until they succeed. He said there are opportunities for songwriters to write music for radio and television commercials. To achieve this, he said they must be skilled in all styles, be strong arrangers, and be able to compose well for a very short form. He said songwriters may be trained and educated people who have chosen to enter the specific profession. He said they are hired by music publishers, record companies, producers, and other production or recording groups.
He said they may work in recording studios to aid would-be performers in writing their own songs; as freelance songwriters, writing songs for television or movies; or commercial jingle writers.
Songwriters work in a wide variety of settings, ranging from religious organisations to orchestras, chamber music groups, opera companies, theater groups and ballet. They can also find careers writing for musicians and singers who perform in entertainment spots. Further employment opportunities can emanate in radio and television.
According to Kore, writers may work on their own or under a part-time contract with various companies, securing single-song agreements either under a ‘work-for-hire’ contract or a songwriter agreement. Songwriters, according to him, have countless outlets for their music. Talent and creativity is a must and songwriters have to be able to write in a wide variety of styles, very often on a deadline.
Salaries are extremely variable in this field, as someone who freelancing will often make much less than those who works exclusively for a record label. Some songwriters go through the training and rigour of schooling. They often have to attain a bachelor’s degree.
Songwriters usually begin their career by getting a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism, Communication, or virtually any music related field. Most of them can play various instruments and have excellent understanding of how to read music. They are educated in a variety of musical styles and have an ear for what is used to make up different styles. Once a songwriter has made connections and gained experience in the field, they can often be picked up by a particular artist or record company to write exclusively for them or their label. Songwriters usually start off by freelancing, but once they become popular, they can get picked up by a record label to write for them.
