What are the Prospects for Songwriters in the Era of Music Streaming?
I’d never thought of this. But I’m glad that someone at the BBC did.
Songwriters have played a crucial part in the success of many global superstars throughout the history of popular music. Smash hits performed by Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley in the forties or fifties, or Rihanna and Justin Bieber today, were often penned by professionals.
Even internationally-acclaimed singer Adele, whose new album, 25, comes out today, and whose last – 21 – sold more than 30 million copies, co-writes her material.
Not that record labels like to crow about songwriters – most of these hired guns are virtually unknown outside the industry. But are these powers behind the throne seeing their livelihoods threatened by music videos and digital streaming?
Many fear so.
