The Top Ten FAQs On The Business Of Songwriting #5

by Mary Dawson

QUESTION 5: What Are the Advantages/Disadvantages of Co-Writing?

Their names are etched on the Walls of the Songwriting Hall of Fame: Holland-Dozier-Holland; Mann & Weill; Bacharach & David; Ashford & Simpson; Jagger & Richard; and of course -- Rogers & Hammerstein -- songwriting teams that have changed the landscape of American Music! What ingredients go into a successful songwriting collaboration? How do you know if and when you should try to write with another songwriter?

Most of us begin our songwriting career writing alone! We start by wondering if we are even able to write a song...so when no one else is around to make fun of us, we try to put some word and notes together. And then, very cautiously, we unveil our creation to a listener -- usually a spouse or a very good friend. To our amazement, we discover that some of our listeners actually like our songs and we decide that maybe we "ain't half bad!" We try another song... and then another... and before you know it... we start to believe that we really are songwriters!

That's exactly what happened to me! I loved writing songs whenever the Muse visited me with an inspiration. I had found a comfortable method of letting the melody and words "evolve" together and songwriting became my own private passion! And then... I went to a songwriting seminar and heard the word co-write. Apparently, there seemed to be some sort of value in including another person in the songwriting process. Frankly, the whole idea scared me to death! I couldn't imagine letting my ideas "all hang out" in front of another person. What if they thought I was an idiot? Turtle that I am, I decided to retreat back into my shell and keep writing by myself!

But, the co-writing concept would not leave me alone. The more exposure I had to the craft and business of songwriting, the more I realized that most of the greatest songs ever written were composed by more than one songwriter. So, at length, I swallowed my fears and made the attempt to co-write with a friend of mine. It was not the most positive experience, but at least it allowed me to overcome my fears and try again with another writer some time later. Over the years since then, I have come to value the co-writing experience as one of the great "perks" of the craft and today most of my writing is done in collaboration with others. Let's take a look at some of the advantages -- and then, some of the possible pitfalls -- of co-writing.

Advantages of Co-Writing

Two Heads are Better Than One -- The first advantage of co-writing is simply that two creative minds working together are usually able to come up with twice as many ideas as one writer working alone. Most solo writers only write songs when they are "inspired" by a visit from the Songwriting Muse -- in other words, when they feel like writing! But the simple presence of another person with different perspectives and ideas can turn on the creative juices for both writers and increase both the quality and quantity of the songs they write.
Instant Feedback -- As co-writers work together on a song, they have the advantage of instant feedback on the ideas they are sharing. If one writer gets a bit unfocused and starts down the wrong road, the other writer can immediately help to pull the effort back on track. Of course, this presumes that the collaborators are working to establish an honest and friendly relationship built on mutual respect and receptivity to the other's point of view. If you are a thin-skinned, easily offended songwriter, you may not be ready to take advantage of this benefit of collaboration.
Growth through Stretching -- The kiss of death for creativity is monotony and predictability. No matter how gifted a songwriter may be, if he/she continues to write all alone -- all the time -- the chances are that his/her songs will eventually begin to sound much the same. While it may be comfortable to continue following a familiar writing method or using melodic and lyrical techniques that we personally happen to enjoy, a writing partner with different strengths and perspectives can help us to reach out beyond the parameters of the familiar into new creative territory. Each new co-writing experience introduces us to ideas and thoughts that are different than our own and that increase our own arsenal of creative techniques.

This is especially true if you are collaborating with a songwriter who has strengths where you have deficits. When I interviewed Songwriting Hall of Famer, Paul Williams, for my radio show, I Write the Songs, Paul admitted that when he first started writing songs, he didn't know one note from the other on the piano. In fact, he had to actually number the keys so he could remember which ones to hit when he composed melodies. Needless to say, he felt more than a little inadequate as a musician and considered himself more of a lyricist. But rather than limping along alone, Paul aggressively sought to co-write with composers who not only complemented his deficits, but in the process also taught him a great deal about music composition. Although Paul had little formal musical training himself, his collaborations with genius musicians like Roger Nichols, Jimmy Webb and many others, have given Paul a music education that has made him a stronger writer overall.
Maximum Exposure by Sharing the Workload -- The creative part of songwriting is only the first chapter in the saga of making a song into a hit. After the song is finished, it has to be demoed (See FAQ# 8 on the Demo), registered with the US Copyright Office (See FAQ #9 on the Copyright), and professionally pitched to publishers, producers and artists who can "take the song to the world." All of this takes time and effort and if there are two or more writers involved in the creation of the song, they also can share the work and expense involved in getting exposure for the song. One of the co-writers may have a home studio and be very good in producing professional quality demos, while the other co-writer's forte may be in making the contacts necessary to "pitch" the song. As with the songwriting process itself, the co-writers can each contribute their own expertise and skills to see that the song receives maximum exposure and opportunity for success.

Incidentally, if the co-writers are members of different performing rights organizations (ASCAP, BMI or SESAC) they will each register the song with their respective organizations. Now, instead of only one P.R.O. tracking the performances of the song, there may be two or more organizations tracking the same song and increasing the potential for maximum performance royalty payments.

There are, of course, many more advantages to the co-writing process than those listed above. Good co-writing relationships involve a transparency and intimacy that are unlike other friendships. In my own songwriting journey, I have met many wonderful people and have had a hell of a lot of fun co-writing with them!. We have laughed together till our stomachs ached at some hair-brained idea we had and we have wept together as we tried to put into words and music the pain of lost love or of letting go. But as with any other human relationship, there are also pitfalls and possible landmines along the way. Let's take a look at a few of these.

Cautions for Co-Writers

Overcome the Jitters -- In many ways, developing co-writing relationships is a lot like dating. You remember those days, right? Butterflies in your stomach at the first meeting; fear that you will say or do the wrong thing and look stupid; and the cold hard reality that not all dates will be successful. All of these emotions accompany new co-writing experience as well, but as with dating...the rewards and fun far outweigh the jitters we all have to overcome. Don't let fear keep you from seeking out co-writing relationships. Remember...your co-writer is probably nervous too!
Be Tactful but Honest -- As with any new relationship, you have to get to know each other gradually. The comfort level will increase the closer the relationship becomes. If your co-writer shares a thought, suggestion or song idea that you think is totally nuts...be honest and truthful, but remember to be kind at the same time. There is a big difference between:
- That's the stupidest thing I ever heard!" -and-
- "I can see your point, but what about this…..?"

Remember this is a friendship as well as a creative collaboration. Even if the "chemistry" between you as collaborators is not all you hoped it would be, you will still be the richer for the friendship.

Agree to Give Credit Where It's Due -- Almost every week I receive emails from writers asking my opinion on how to divide credits in the songwriting process. If there are only two writers (one writing the lyric and the other composing the music) the division will be very simple -- 50%-50%! But what happens if three or four band members start jamming one day and the end result is a song that's bound to be a blockbuster hit? What if all the writers contribute some of the lyric and some of the music? Or what if the bass player only contributes the opening riff that identifies the song and inspires the others to write it? Should he be given more credit because of the importance of the riff? How do you figure these things out so the percentages of ownership are fair for all concerned?

My standard answer to such questions is that all the writers involved in the creation of the song should sit down together as soon as possible -- while memories are fresh -- and discuss these matters in an open and honest way. When they have come to an agreement, they should write down what they feel are fair divisions of the song credits. They should record these agreements in a simple letter which all the writers sign and date. Such an agreement is a binding contract and will help to refresh everyone's memories later when and if the song begins to generate income. A simple letter of agreement is that "ounce of prevention" that can literally save friendships down the road!

The experience of co-writing a wonderful song with another person is one of songwriting's truly great blessings! The assets definitely outweigh the liabilities, so don't miss out! Start where you are -- in your music community -- to find other writers who might be interested in collaborating. Your local songwriter's association is a great resource. Or you might visit a college or university music department; introduce yourself to the director and tell him/her that you are a songwriter looking for a co-writer. Even a large church music department will have musicians skilled in more than Gospel Music. It may take several "dates" before you find the perfect songwriting partner, but don't give up. There are great songs out there just waiting to be written by you and ____?____.

**From her earliest childhood years writing simple songs and poems with her father, through her twelve years as an overseas missionary, to her present, multi-faceted career as an author, lyricist/songwriter and conference speaker, Mary has always been adept at using words to communicate her heart to others. She is the President of CQK Records & Music of Dallas, Texas, a company which creates and produces songs in a panorama of musical styles for a variety of audiences, She is the host of "I Write the Songs," a nationally syndicated radio talk show, especially created to inspire and instruct the more than 40 million aspiring songwriters in the U.S. Mary is a frequent public speaker and seminar lecturer and teacher of songwriting in her popular Living Room Seminars. She is a Contributing Editor for The Internet Writing Journal ^®.

Return to the April 2002 issue of The IWJ.