getting your songs picked up

[humboh]

Hi , I know its a common dream but how do I try to get my songs to someone who is more likely than me to make money out of it?

I've done the pub band scene and have no urge to do it again.

I have a few good songs that I would love to be covered by anyone from Beyonce to Guns N Roses !

At this stage in life I know it wont be me who makes these songs a hit !

I have no industry contacts bar people doing the covers scene and the odd track of their own in pubs so they are no help to me!

Any ideas folks?

[richardmac]

Taxi.

 

It's $300 to join, and I believe $5 per song to submit. You see a listing requesting a song, you send in your song and $5, and one of three things happens:

 

1. They say it's not up to snuff and tell you exactly why, so you can learn from it.

2. They say it's up to snuff but not what the artist/person/company requested.

3. They say it's up to snuff and they pass it on to the artist/person/company.

 

If the song gets passed on, then one of three things happens:

 

4. The artist's company doesn't like it and rejects it.

5. The artist's company likes it and puts a "hold" on it, but never uses it.

6. The artist's company uses it.

 

 

Be aware that in order to get to step 6, you need an absolutely textbook perfect killer song, and a lot of luck. The vast majority of people who join Taxi don't make enough money from it to cover the $300, I'd bet. Everyone thinks they can write a hit song. Very, very few people actually can.

 

Taxi works best for by the book textbook songwriters, not people who think outside the box. If that is you - if you can write perfect rhyme structures, great lyrics that bring out an emotion in people, and a fantastic melody that people will remember, then you've got a shot. I'm taking my shot this summer. I don't believe I'll make any money at it, but it's only $300 and that's really not a lot of money to try something like this.

 

Taxi also posts listings for TV and small films, where they want an actual finished product. Those things are maybe a little more reachable than, say, placing a song with a superstar. But your recording needs to sound like a commercial CD. And if it doesn't they'll let you know.

[BlueStrat]

 

Everyone thinks they can write a hit song. Very, very few people actually can.

Indeed, one of the biggest reasons being that hits are only identifiable in hindsight. No one can predict what song will be a hit. You can, however, often pretty much tell which songs aren't going to be a hit. You can increase your chances by writing short (under 3.5 minutes) hooky songs with a strong chorus but even at that, as you pointed out, getting to step 6 is difficult.

 

Making contacts and developing relationships in the industry are every bit as important as writing commercially accessible material. As with any career advancement, success is as much in who you know as in what you know.

[Matximus]

Yeah man. You've got a long long long way to go. But don't let that deter you. Remember: they let Rudy dress up for the big game!!!!!

[primeelite]

The pub scene is not bad. Especially if you are a writer you can do bar scene and also do writer rounds. At a bar scene/writers round Garth Brooks heard an unknown writer sing a song "The Dance". He record it on his album when he wasn't that well known either. The writer of the song never worked another day in his life after that song and 3 other songs became published because of that one but never had the same success. So just keep hustling on the bar scene, do writer rounds, and network like crazy. I have seen so many people with great talent get passed by but the people who can sell themselves and network always seem to find a way.

[danosongs]

I agree, TAXI is your best bet - Ive used it and it is definitely legit.

[humboh]

thanks to all for replies.

i looked up taxi , seems like a good idea upfront.

shame that they expect a broadcast quality track tho!

lazily i hoped i could send of a demo quality track and someone would rerecord it.

i know , Im askin too much!

[Mamon001]

If that is you - if you can write perfect rhyme structures, great lyrics that bring out an emotion in people, and a fantastic melody that people will remember, then you've got a shot. I'm taking my shot this summer. I don't believe I'll make any money at it, but it's only $300 and that's really not a lot of money to try something like this.

[MusicGuy101]

Might want to get a demo put together and shop for a publishing deal. The point of a publishing company is to place songs, be it in commercials/advertisements, or have them in cosideration for anyone's upcoming albums including the big names. Good publishing companies have the right contacts and deals around the world to place songs. You have to figure they manage loads of writers and have huge catalogues of music, plus you're signing off your publishing rights off to them so they technically own anything you write, then pay you generally 50% of what the songs make.

 

I'm in Montreal so I guess it would be different everywhere, but I imagine to shop for publishing, you can start by researching some that are close in your area and get in contact with them to find out how to submit. Can't hurt but it's the equivalent of a band shopping for a record deal. It takes work.

 

I have heard good things about Taxi as well though. All the best!

[A.Scriabin]

try craigslist gigs section for song plugs...set your goals small and attainable at first. Write for small students films or commericial jingles...you'd be surprised what you can dig up on craigslist with patience

 

http://www.myspace.com/franticclam

[Johnny-Boy]

 

thanks to all for replies. i looked up taxi , seems like a good idea upfront. shame that they expect a broadcast quality track tho! lazily i hoped i could send of a demo quality track and someone would rerecord it. i know , Im askin too much!

 

 

Yeah, unfortunately most the listings ask for broadcast quality.

 

When TAXI first started, demos were okay because the companies were looking for songs for their artists. Not so much anymore. Many artists do their own songwriting or have people already established in the Industry write them.

 

The bulk of TAXI listings want broadcast quality songs/instrumentals to be placed directly in film/TV (thus, the need for broadcast quality).

 

However, there are occasional listings where demos are adequate (but even here you’re better off with broadcast quality because your competition will most likely have it).

 

All said and done; TAXI can work for you – especially in the realm of film and TV placements. But be ready for an array of TAXI listeners. I’ve had some listeners tell me my song isn’t up to snuff, while another listener (on the same song) said it was great (and forwarded it).

 

TAXI is definitely a mix bag of possibilities and disappointments.

 

Best, John:cool: