How does one go about selling song lyrics? (Without them being ripped off, that is.)
I wrote a poem that turns out would be better as lyrics to a rock or jazz song, and I'd really like to hear it set to music. I can almost hear Garbage (Shirley Manson) or even a sassy Ella Fitzgerald-type song as I read it in my head... Some strong female vocalist.
Is there a venue for such things? How do bands get lyrics and vice versa? Maybe this is a stupid question.
It's not a stupid question and I hope you get an answer from someone which will steer you aright. However, I'd say it's a matter of having the right contacts; not 'what you know but who you know.'
I placed a number of lyrics for songs on Hubpages and with the instruction that who ever wants them is welcome to them - for free. I've never heard a thing back. Could be we can't even give such things away.
However, you never know, you could get lucky. And once you've had just one made into a song, recorded and presented by a band, you'll be on your way.
Good luck.
Thanks, T.T.! I don't mean to make a career of it or anything, but it just happened to turn into a song (needing melody). Thanks much for your encouragement! I hope somybody sets your words to a tune soon--how cool that would be! Good luck!
I'm no lawyer but did play in bands and I know one popular thing "starving artists" of music do is what I've heard called a "poor man's copyright". Simply write down your lyrics, mail them to yourself and do not open. They are then sealed and date stamped...if need be, you could present this as evidence that you'd written them prior to whomever produced them. I would imagine since now places like HP exist...writing it on here would also provide the same thing.
@Tusitala Tom - Perhaps if I'm correct, that's why you can't give them away...those in the "know" may realize you could come back and claim them as yours...???
Like I said, I'm no lawyer.
Lyrics Can Be The Words To A Song
Lyrics are considered the words to a song. Lyrics that are sung in a melody makes them lyrics to a song and are easily copyrightable. Usually, the lyrics are written as the lyricist sings the melody to them creating the music at the same time.
First of all, lyrics are considered to be a poem until they are set to music by singing the lyrics in a melody. The lyrics are then set to music from using a piano or to a complete band. After this is done the lyrics should be registered for copyright at the Library of Congress in Washington D.C. It is a convenient process.
Lyrics don’t usually get presented to singing artists or bands alone unless, the lyricist is closely associated with the artists. As long as the lyrics are registered for copyright then they cannot be “ripped off.” I suggest that if you write lyrics and can also play a musical instrument then you should sing the lyrics with music that you can create for the lyrics, making a song of and then registering the song for copyright.
You can then shop or publish the lyrics separately because it will be protected under the copyright law in any way presented. Lyrics are considered half of the component to a song. Elton John, an excellent piano player used to receive lyrics via mail from writer, Bernie Taupin. Elton liked the poems and the poems became lyrics because Elton's intention was to play music to them. I am not sure if Taupin sent any melodies along with the poems but once Elton John recorded and released the songs and a couple of the songs turned out to be hits then the two eventually met and collaborated as a songwriting team. Elton John featured the songs on various record albums. The rest is history. Taupin becames a songwriting genius and multimillionaire along with John.
U.S. Copyright Office
U.S. Copyright Office is an office of public record for copyright registration and deposit of copyright material.
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