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Coffee Shop: Is it okay for bands to use co-writers?
Alternative Press - Tim Karan on 11/15/09 @ 7:00 AM - altpress.comPlease keep it clean, guys. Comments that are threatening or obscene will be deleted.
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No. I don't believe so. I think the whole purpose of a band is to be unique in the sense that you can hear their personalities in their music. The whole purpose of using co-writers is to create "hit songs" which in a way makes a band watered down. Plus, as stated before, there is a reason some people prefer bands over pop stars, but it seems the more bands that use co-writers, the more diluted the line between pop star and band will become. I feel that it's a "sell out" move, and it's lazy. If you aren't happy with what you're writing, find a different source of inspiration or work harder. Don't hire someone to write songs for you.
i feel like any band who can't write their own songs and be satisfied with them isnt really worth it. the whole point of being in a band is to play music that means something to you, and that you enjoy, and if some stupid "songwriter" from la or wherever "helps" you, its just being lazy and too interested in getting into the top 40.
Bands that use cowriters are pretty lame. The music isn't from their heart it is from someone elses. That's why I like small bands because they can't hire a cowriter so it is really their music.
i agree completely with summerslastwave. also, writers who write top 40 songs go by a specific template that's based on selling the song. i.e. the black eyed peas boom boom pow; they could have come up with a more creative name for the song, but it happens to be the part of the song people will remember.
I don't necessarily think it's wrong. I mean, yes, when musicians write their own songs, it's definitely much more real-but writer's block happens, and sometimes writers need help. I think as long as they don't completely rely on other people to make their music and do nothing more but sing other people's words, it's okay to co-write once in a while.
I agree with heymelissa.Sometimes an artist or band needs help sometimes to write songs.Plus who knows..maybe that other writer writes better than the band or artist
honestly i think bands at one point should have some help with writing songs but should still be a original band and stick to who they really are as a band!
Absolutely not! There's no purpose to in starting a band if you can't write your own songs. Yeah, writer's block exists, but even that comes to an end. Sure, everyone needs help, but you have a whole band to look to! Co-writers, to me, do one of three things, they make the song comletely suck, make the song way different from the band's personal style, or they make the song totally awesome, and then it makes me feel like I'm not even listening to the band/musician anymore. I understand why a solo artist like Demi Lovato would need co-writers, but a band like All Time Low who's been the business for a very long time? No. Don't become a musician if you can't do most of it by yourself!
I think that this really isn't right! The whole point of being in a band is to spread your love of music and express yourself.. not somebody else. I don't want to pay money for merch or show tickets to hear somebody else's work. Plus, it is just lazy and I feel it ruins the alternative genres. We aren't mainstream, we are unique, and our original music needs to express that.
I think using a co-writer makes the songs a lot less personal. The first thing I thought of while reading this was All Time Low's new album "Nothing Personal" because it was co-written. If you sit down and listen to their lyrics, they don't have much depth or sincerity and they dont give much insight into the lives of the people in the band. The name of the album is so ironic, because their songs ARE nothing personal.
I don't think that it is necessarily wrong... I think it's kind of up to the band on what they want to do. Weezer for example has had some writing help on their new album "Raditude" but it's not because Rivers couldn't write a good song, it's because he wants to be a top 40 band, and that's fine. People focus way too much on what bands do. The way I look at it is, you can take it or leave it. It's not like these bands have anything to hide, they know they’ll lose "cred" but that doesn't matter to them, they want the fan base, they want to make money, and they want to make a career out of music. I love a lot of bands that write their own music and I respect them for it, but think of your favourite bands and how long they’ve lasted, chances are they have already broken up. Making music and making money are two separate things...
I think it diminishes the quality and prestige of a band when they use co-writers. Part of being a professional musician is to have the ability to write songs which are of good quality. If a band requires a co-writer, in my opinion they are less than professional musicians.
I think it's okay for a band to use a co-writer if they are going to learn something about the songwriting process and improve their own skills from the writer. In this case, using a writer could be really positive. I only disagree if the band is consistently using a writer or co-writer - then they aren't proving to be true musicians with real talent. Plus, they will probably be singing lyrics that have no personal meaning for them.
I dont really have a problem with this. Its not like the co-writer writes everything & the band just like fills in the blanks. They work together.
this this is why the new cobra starship cd was so awful. this is why some of the songs on the new saosin cd were questionable. it is lame when bands like saosin use pop producers to write post hardcore songs. it just doesn't work. The new all time low cd had some songs that sounded like all time low covering butch walker. When bands take someone from another band in the same genre and do a song it is ok but like with craig owens he was on many rise records releases. It was just weird because he was just there not needed but it was like he was available. I don't want this scene to be the way rap is always blank feat. blank. that is bad news
pretty much every song on the new All Time Low cd was co-written. While some of the songs are good, it takes away from the personal connection between you and the artists.Miley Cyrus doesnt even know who Jay Z is, and she mentions him in the song.wtf http://www.giantbomb.com/forums/off-topic/31/miley-cyrus-doesnt-know-one-of-jay-zs-songs/271251/
Absolutely not! The whole purpose of a band writing is so that they get to show their personality as a whole. So, therefore, a band letting someone else outside the band write songs for them is basically making a last ditch effort and selling out *cough* all time low *cough*. Writers block does exist but even that ends after a period of time. Even if that does become an issue, you have an entire band to help you think of ideas. So having co-writers, when it all comes down to it, is selling out.
It is definitely NOT ok for a band to use co-writers. The only exception for this is an artistic collaboration with another musician. I completely lose my respect for bands who do this. It is the reason I cannot stand the new All Time Low CD. The lyrics in Nothing Personal don't compare to their old lyrics. Compare Lost In Stereo to Running From Lions and you'll see why All Time Low are no longer one of my favorite bands. I digress. I understand that writing an album isn't an easy task but I would rather wait two years for a CD the band actually wrote than for them to put out a CD written by someone who writes songs for American Idol winners.
No i dont think its ok at all. I can understand for maybe 2 or 3 songs. Of course musicians want to get to the Top 40, they want to be known,but i completely aggree with Champion and bradyquinnsgirl. That is the reason why i lost respect for All Time Lows new album, they are one of my favorite bands but having their Whole album co-written upset me because i know its not all Them. I rather wait a while for a well written album then sonething that they had help with from someone else.
it all depends on the amount of co-writing that goes on. if a band a) can't write anything themselves or b) need help so they can a single, then this is not wrong, but a cop out. from personal experience, sometimes its cool to bounce ideas and lyrics off of different set of ears rather than the same 4 or 5 guys. its not like somebody else is writing the whole song and getting credit. i dont think it is wrong if used in a genuine sense, and not to just get a hit out
On one hand, I'd like to see a band come up with all the lyrics on their own, but I think it's fine if they give some ideas to someone and ask for input or changes. If the band accepts it, its obviously in their style and personal tastes. Its like a movie; a single screenwriter has an idea and a group of freelance writers give their input for approval. If a band blindly accepts whatever a co-writer came up with its a different story.
I think one of the things a lot of people don't understand is that a co-writer isn't necessarily there to write your songs for you. A co-writer can be someone who changes a line from (just an example) "i love you" to "i miss you", and re-arranges it. It's sometimes difficult as a musician to hear things from a listener's perspective, and it's the co-writers job to help you do that. Usually they know more about music than one of your buddies who will take a listen of a demo for you and tell you "yea! that sounds awesome!". Bands should write songs on their own, and be true to themselves, but having a co-writer can help bands make their music just a little bit better. Same with producers...