Major Songwriters sign open letter to the Music Industry: "Stop Demanding Credit for Songs You Didn't Write"

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Major songwriters in the industry have signed an open letter demanding that artists stop demanding writing credits on songs they didn't write for. As Variety says, It's long been an "open secret" in the industry dating back to Elvis Presley. The letter was created by an anonymous group of songwriters in the industry called The Pact.

The letter, which has now been signed by the likes of Justin Tranter, Victoria Monet, Ian Kirkpatrick, Emily Warren, and more. It has also been signed by Ariana Grande. It can be read in full here: Songwriters Call for Artists to Stop Demanding Credit and Publishing - Variety

Here is an excerpt:

Quote

Over the last few years, there has been a growing number of artists that are demanding publishing on songs they did not write. These artists will go on to collect revenue from touring, merchandise, brand partnerships, and many other revenue streams, while the songwriters have only their publishing revenue as a means of income. This demand for publishing is often able to happen because the artist and/or their representation abuse leverage, use bully tactics and threats, and prey upon writers who may choose to give up some of their assets rather than lose the opportunity completely. Over time, this practice of artists taking publishing has become normalized; and until now, there has been no real unity within the songwriting community to fight back.

 

Why is this a big deal? The signees of the letter have written some of the biggest hits of the last decade and for lots of major artists.

Ian Kirkpatrick wrote on "Matches" for Britney and the Backstreet Boys. He also has written on songs for Dua Lipa, Selena Gomez, and Jason DeRulo.

Emily Warren has written for Dua Lipa, Backstreet Boys, The Chainsmoker, and more. .

Joel Little has written on songs for Taylor Swift, Jonas Brothers, Kesha, Imagine Dragons, and Lorde.

Justin Tranter has written for countless artists including heavy songwriting credits on the Glory album for Britney.

Here is a video from Justin explaining why he signed and why it’s an important moment for songwriters:

Though they haven't named any artists that have done this, this is a huge move on their part for songwriter's rights! Good for them!

[Stefani]

2021 just became the apocalypse for certain pop girls.

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3 minutes ago, Stefani said:

2021 just became the apocalypse for certain pop girls.

It's what they deserve

[Adriannn]

DROP THEM NAAAAAMES

[TSmidnighTS]

12 minutes ago, Adriannn said:

DROP THEM NAAAAAMES

Im dying to knowwww

[PokemonSpears]

1 hour ago, Adriannn said:

DROP THEM NAAAAAMES

this

tbh how are things going to change without exposing anyone. If the problem is so big as for people having to come up with this pact signed by many, it must be more than one. And it's not only the artists, but as they say, people from the record labels, managers, executives, etc. 

[OnlyBeyonce]

[Spicechinodiva]

If it's been this way since the 1950s, what hope do they have in changing a thing that's normalized, their best way is to do a lawsuit to make it illegal, not a letter.  

They have to make laws to force the industry to change 

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1 hour ago, PokemonSpears said:

this

tbh how are things going to change without exposing anyone. If the problem is so big as for people having to come up with this pact signed by many, it must be more than one. And it's not only the artists, but as they say, people from the record labels, managers, executives, etc. 

 

17 minutes ago, Spicechinodiva said:

If it's been this way since the 1950s, what hope do they have in changing a thing that's normalized, their best way is to do a lawsuit to make it illegal, not a letter.  

They have to make laws to force the industry to change 

They can always just refuse to work with that artists. Some of the major artists wouldn’t have a hit without them. If they refuse to write for them, their careers will flop.

I don’t think they need to name names, but if they do, I’ll definitely be here for the tea!

[redacted statement]

Beyonce and Selena Gomez are shaking in their boots. 

[ExhaleSpamBot]

CARDI B! CARDI B!

[Rojo]

Beyoncé and rappers

[Arthurfleck]

Some of the artists without formation can’t even write anything, let alone songs! 

[Ofcoursenot]

Beyoncé

[DignifiedLove]

Poor Mariah and Beyoncé 

[PokemonSpears]

49 minutes ago, InTheZone4Life said:

 

They can always just refuse to work with that artists. Some of the major artists wouldn’t have a hit without them. If they refuse to write for them, their careers will flop.

I don’t think they need to name names, but if they do, I’ll definitely be here for the tea!

but maybe they do want those artists to sing their songs, just without stealing credits

or maybe they have some sort of ties with record labels, and if they refuse to work with a particular artist, the label may cut all ties with other non-stealing artists, and it turns out worse for songwriters 

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1 minute ago, PokemonSpears said:

but maybe they do want those artists to sing their songs, just without stealing credits

or maybe they have some sort of ties with record labels, and if they refuse to work with a particular artist, the label may cut all ties with other non-stealing artists, and it turns out worse for songwriters 

Good point. I think they just want people to stop taking royalties from one of the few things they actually get money from while the artists gets millions even without songwriting credits. Some of these pop girlies won’t be able to claim “singer-songwriter” anymore

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I’m honestly scared for Dua. Some of these people have written on her biggest tracks

[Hooked-On-Knee]

10 minutes ago, SUCCESSICA IS A QUEEN said:

Mariah

Writes all of her songs UNLIKE Successica but go off.

[ExXL]

They're absolutely right . I hate it when people take credit for things they didn't create ermm