production credit/songwriting credit where is the line?

[dhiltonlittle]

so i'm involved in a project right now that seems to not want to give credit where credit is due. just wanted to get some general input from you guys on when and where you think production credit should be given and at what point songwriting credit should be given.

in my situation the songwriter is wanting production credit when all they are really doing is singing on a track i produced. maybe a minor arrangement suggestion here or there or adding a background vocal but is that production? if so, i feel like all of the melodic lines that i add to the song are strong enough and in a lot of cases "make" the song. if they are demanding co production is it wrong for me to ask for songwriting credits?

ken, i know you didn't get credited for your work on kanye's last record and i'm sure there is a lot more guys in this situation!

where do you draw the line?

[gainreduction]

IMO when you add/alter/remove a lyric or melody line considerably it would indeed be considered writing. To me the song is the basic melody, lyrics and chords.

The rest would be considered production although I agree that sometimes some production/arrangement ideas more or less will make or break the song. But that´s why you´re hired to produce, right ? And that´s why you should have a royalty for the production.

I´ve been in many "extreme song makeover" situations where I think I should have been credited aswell but I guess I´m too modest to ask.

I feel ya, those situations are not fun.

[KEYBEEETSSS]

Originally Posted by dhiltonlittle

in my situation the songwriter is wanting production credit when all they are really doing is singing on a track i produced.

Well technically this is composing but in 2days industry the term of producing has became a loose word so now it is producing; not taking away from what u did but just speaking fact...

Originally Posted by dhiltonlittle

maybe a minor arrangement suggestion here or there or adding a background vocal but is that production?

Yes this is a form of production; If U did the total vocal arrangement &/or added background parts then it would be total production on ur part...As far as how much is something u guys will have to work out obviously but it is what it is...

Originally Posted by dhiltonlittle

if so, i feel like all of the melodic lines that i add to the song are strong enough and in a lot of cases "make" the song. if they are demanding co production is it wrong for me to ask for songwriting credits?

Thing & reality is that these days tracks really aren't much without a Smash record on it; BUT, we're(Music composers) the ones that get the upfront cash as to where the one who really sells the record(the Songwriter) doesn't, in most cases get any upfront...So is it wrong for u to ask, in the 4real term, yeah it is because ur getting all the Composer writers on it(publishing) but if u feel like u should then thatz really a call u gotta make...

Please don't read this & respond before u really think it out because I'm by no means tryna down what ur sayin or doin, but just again speaking as how it is...