Usual Splits for a Song

[Umlaaat]

If you write the music for a song but tow other people write the lyrics, is it split 50% - music 25% to the other two?

[Marlowe]

That's for you to decide. The songwriters determine how much each writer has contributed, therefore it's the writers who create the song splits.

It's a good idea to get it down in writing to avoid problems later.

[Led]

Yeah, it's up to you to all agree on a split. If everyones suggesting lyric and melodies etc you might go even split to all, but if you had already written a piece someone wanted to write words to you'd be justified in wanting 50% for yourself. Of course if that person was a famous "artist" they would want a bigger share than you. It's always good to sort the splits out at the start, not later.

[tommy pee]

my band was all split evenly 5 ways. we felt each member contributed enough to warrant fair rewards to all - not just the lyricist

[Protools Guy]

If you want to avoid the alienation and animosity that accompanies this type of thing, just split it evenly.

If, however, you strongly feel that your contribution was that much more valuable than theirs, then you can negotiate more, but be prepared for resentment.

The people who are contributing what you didn't have completely written in the song, (lyrics) HIGHLY value their contribution and creativity. Lyrics are a bitch and if they are good, a few percentage points aren't going to matter in the long run. If writing good lyrics was easy, everybody would and could be doing it.

Everyone does it differently. The advice above is best: get it in writing now and then move on.

U2 splits everything equally. There's longevity in U2's formula IMHO.

[Umlaaat]

Originally Posted by Protools Guy

If you want to avoid the alienation and animosity that accompanies this type of thing, just split it evenly.

If, however, you strongly feel that your contribution was that much more valuable than theirs, then you can negotiate more, but be prepared for resentment.

The people who are contributing what you didn't have completely written in the song, (lyrics) HIGHLY value their contribution and creativity. Lyrics are a bitch and if they are good, a few percentage points aren't going to matter in the long run. If writing good lyrics was easy, everybody would and could be doing it.

Everyone does it differently. The advice above is best: get it in writing now and then move on.

U2 splits everything equally. There's longevity in U2's formula IMHO.

so what about coming into the fold with the music completed already...?
just curious the know the MOST COMMON way this is dealt with...

[RKrizman]

If you're coming in with the music already completely done, just looking for lyrics, I'd say so up front and keep 50% for the music.

In general, though, I have found it better under normal circumstances to share everything equally. That's how Lennon/McCartney did it. It's hard to quantify the value of contributions. Sometimes just being in the room with somebody can generate ideas, even if that person doesn't specifically write many lines himself.

-R