The Songwriting Credit of the Beatles: More Than Just Paul and John
Often, the public perception of the Beatles revolves around the songs penned by Paul McCartney and John Lennon. However, the band's songwriting process and credit system were more complex than this. It was at the insistence of John Lennon that all songs attributed to him or McCartney would be credited as 'Lennon-McCartney' creations. This article delves into the details of the Beatles' songwriting process, credit allocation, and publishing agreements, providing a comprehensive overview that goes beyond the commonly known story.
What Does "Writing the Song" Mean?
The term "writing the song" in the contemporary context refers to the actual creation of the melody, chords, and lyrics. These elements form the core of a song. A guitar player creating an awesome solo may be a brilliant musician but unless he or she provided the basis for the melody and lyrics, he or she is not a writer. It is only the artist who originates and crafts these fundamental components who can be considered the true songwriter.
In the early days of the Beatles, the focus was primarily on John and Paul writing songs together. They would bounce ideas off each other, sometimes alternating verses or lines, or one providing a piece of music to enhance the composition. Over time, this evolved into individual songwriting, with each member writing separately, but both names often credited. This practice tied into their publishing contract and was influenced by the changing landscape of songwriting in the 1960s.
Early Publishing Arrangements and Royalties
When the Beatles were starting out, they had a few original song ideas but mostly performed covers of blues and RB tracks. They were part of Brian Epstein's stable, which caught the attention of EMI. George Martin, their producer, suggested they should pursue a publishing deal. Dick James was recommended, giving them a 50-50 split of the songwriting royalties.
Initially, the Beatles' agreement stipulated that each songwriter (Paul and John) would receive 15% of each song, Epstein would receive 10%, and an additional 10% would go to Ringo and George, seen as less involved in songwriting. Over time, George became more prolific, leading to dissatisfaction with the songwriting credit and royalty distribution. His songwriting credit 'It's Only a Northern Song' was a subtle critique of this arrangement, referring to the different publishing companies—Northern Songs for UK releases and MacLeroy for international ones. George eventually formed his own publishing company, Harrissongs Ltd., to better manage his songwriting rights.
Artistic and Financial Considerations
The Beatles' publishing arrangement also had financial and artistic implications. While record sales were evenly shared among the band, songwriting royalties became a point of contention. John and Paul often voted as a bloc, leading to a perceived imbalance in songwriting credit and royalties. George Martin favored John and Paul's creativity but also admitted to favoring them from an artistic perspective.
Part of the tension stemmed from George's perception that his songs were of equal quality and deserved more recognition. Paul, meanwhile, wanted to move away from the softer, more folk-influenced pieces that became popular in certain age groups, craving a return to rock and roll.
The Conclusion of the Beatles and Beyond
In the end, the Beatles' partnership ran its course, leading to the creation of solo careers that showcased each member's individual talents without the competition. This period marked a new chapter for music, reintroducing George Harrison and Ringo Starr to the world as songwriters in their own right. The dissipation of the group also signified a shift in the music industry, where individual artists became the focus rather than a collaborative unit.
The Beatles' songwriting credit and publishing arrangements were pivotal in shaping the music industry of the 1960s and beyond. Understanding the credit and distribution behind their songs enriches our appreciation of the band's legacy, highlighting the complexities of collaboration in the music world.