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.
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47 Replies to “How to sell your songs to recording artists”
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When I write a song aiming to be a hit, it's usually a dud or is very superficial. When I write a song from my heart and it just spills out of me and is beautiful, then that is my gold. I wish I had friends that were famous singers, or had an 'in' to the industry. But I don't. I love your honesty and information. Thankyou. I will always keep writing. I'd love to make a living from it but it is what it is. I get it!
It's practically a closed shop.
Music publishers like agents
Appreciate this advice. I realize it's from 6 years ago, but it still seems quite relevant today.
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!
You are honest. Thank you. I wrote a song that meets your criteria. Wish me luck!
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?
Thx
Well done simple and to the point I have a fire burning inside and I will get somewhere with it right now it's driving me crazy and I have made it my goal to commit
Could you listen and give me some input on this song? https://youtu.be/hXoyZDBs0RM. I'm not the best singer I know,but I've been writing songs for a hobby since I was a kid.
Great Video.
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.
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!
Barbara, has any of your clients ever had a song cut by a Major Artist? I signed up for email on your upcoming workshop. Im looking forward to learning more.
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.
You nailed it! Become a professional writer…
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.
I wrote ,five song but I want to sell my one song ,how do I contact with the famous artist like elli Golding, lady gaga, akon ,Justin Bieber
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?
Thank you very much for this straight forward, honest information. 🙂
One of the first straight-talking and knowledgeable people I've ever heard address this subject. Thank you, Barbara.
Well, you helped me out. You were very informative. Thanks a bunch!????
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 enterred contests in nashville didnt work out..
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
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!
How much money can one receive as a one off song that i sell to an artist?
Lord have mercy is this what songwriting has come to these days excuse me but you have no idea ? what real songwriters feel
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.
Has it ever helped the quality of your work to say "I'm making this song with Taylor Swift" or "Brooks and Dunn" in mind? Like targeting the artist when writing the lyrics? I come from blues background and it helps my guitar playing to say "how would hendrix jam with james brown"
https://youtu.be/CQYmdRB__Dw
what is ghost writing?
Every part of this was excellent advice. Thank you.
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.
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 think you're beautiful.. thank you so much for the conclusion. 🙂 Very valuable information.
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BEAUTIFUL STRAIGHT FORWARD IS ALL WE CAN ASK FOR THANK YOU BE BLESSED.
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.
Thought i put the right email? Thanks for calling me today
Just started writing songs n entered a contest that Barbara sent me but didn't make the cut. I know i have to have them sung professionally They cost around 700 for a song. Gonna do it. Waiting for the email you will be sending me. Elda
One thing you helped me realize, Is that singers are more like actors and they have to play the part of the image their songs made them out to be like an actor does, and their real-life could be very different than the image their songs make them out to be perceived, for instance, to me, is AC DC, and they have to maintain that hellish image.
Nice job ,great input. Some people have success on youtube also.
Lovely video.
great video . i'm a singer song writer musician . and i understand it may take time to get my music recorded by famous artist . yet i know it will happen one day . so in the meantime i keep on recording high quality music and writing songs and getting air play . I am getting air play and i'm on spotify under the name stephen. and i'm on you tube . great resources tips many thanks
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
Thanks for your advice, Barbara. There's no doubt how high that mountain is just to get a song published, let alone, recorded and charted. I've had some of my material published in Nashville, but I don't think it's going anywhere in the publisher's library because I think it's just lost in all that material. I want an honest opinion about one song in particular and I think your expertise would be awesome. I want to know if the song stands out and stands the test of time and…should I keep pushing it. Right off the bat you'll hear Willie in the style and I hope that's not too old. I think it garnered the attention of the publisher because it's just a simple song that we've likely all lived at one time or another and would appeal to a large crowd and, might do just that…stand the test of time. I like your advice about the portrayal of the artists in the songs they choose. I have a song called "Crosses" about gun violence and I know there is likely not too many Country artists who would want to sing a song against guns. But this song…"They're Called The Blues" is a life experience we all can relate to, and I think any artist could relate, as well as their fans. Would you give me your honest opinion? Here's a link to a Lyric video I just added right here on YouTube. Please give me your opinion…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KosIhVNSE6A&ab_channel=JeffAlanRule