Davis advises singers not to write songs

Saturday, March 8 2008, 11:21 GMT

 

By Daniel Kilkelly, Entertainment Reporter

 

BMG chief Clive Davis has hit out at singers who insist on writing their own songs.

 

The legendary music mogul claimed that artists who demand greater control over their material are almost always doomed to failure.

 

"The odds are always against you. You have got to go over the best material, and that should win out, not withstanding any track record," Davis, 75, explained. "I don't care how many number ones you have written in the past, have you written a new number one?"

 

Davis was involved in a high-profile dispute with Kelly Clarkson last year, when she decided to write all of the songs on her third album, My December.

 

Remaining defiant over the row, he insisted: "She was not signed as a singer/songwriter".

 

But it is her choice of which way she wants to go. As long as the songs aren't copies, I don't actually mind but I think it wrong that someone should be dismissed for choosing to write their own songs.

I am a little on the fence with this one. I feel an artist should have a lot of imput into what music they record. But given a record companies investment in them, they must retain a little control.

 

Maybe there could be some form of aggreement between record company and artist, ensuring that their investment is protected financially in the event of an artist recording/releasing songs against their wishes, which would free the artsist to record what they like without risk to the RC.

 

Some people do pretty well singing other peoples songs, look at Elvis :)

 

In many ways, I would have liked Darius to have had lots more success with his albums, and if that meant 3-4 of his own songs making way for huge number 1 hits, I would have accepted the trade off, though I know others wouldn't want that.

 

Does anyone know how Kelly Clarkson's latest album has performed?

 

No idea. Darius' last album did have one song he had no input into. It was very good.

I believe clive davis is directing leona lewis' breakthrough career in america.

Has Leona done anything over there yet?

I really dont know, think she may be on the verge.

Darius knew exactly what "I'll let you contribute on the album, but when it comes to the songs, you've got to leave the ball in my court" meant - he'd get to add/change a couple of lyrics and get a writing credit on a few songs, maybe if he was super lucky, write all the lyrics for some songs.

 

That's not songwriting, not what he wanted at all. Nor me!

 

I'm a fan of Darius because he is a singer/songwriter. The songs are an extension of him.

 

 

 

I love his voice as well. So, I love hearing his own songs and I love hearing him sing. It was his voice that made me take notice and the song writing added to that later.

Darius has a wonderful voice, there is no denying that, and when he does covers , they are excellent but none of those covers have ever struck me as deeply as e.g. Mercury Rising. Could you ever have seen PW or SC allowing that on the album or even as a b-side?

That was the song that really made the hairs on my arms stand up when I heard the album. Loved 'Dive In', 'Rushes', 'I'm Not Buying' and 'Simple Like the Truth' but that one just went that bit extra. And when I heard it live, I could have died and gone to heaven. A bit over the top there but, I was overwhelmed.

I'm sure If I Could, Secret Song and Journey's End might rival it, if only I could be there when he sings them live and with minimal accompaniment.

I'd love to hear those too :D

Anything at the moment. I'm looking forward to GWTW but I can't wait to hear his new stuff - GWTW now and then his new album very soon after - unless, of course, something he just can't resist turns up.

I think she already has!!

Yes but, she'll be there whatever hge does and her being there wont stop an album coming out.

Nice one Preston. That surely is irresistable.

 

 

 

He seems to find that.

I don't agree with Clive Davis at all but some of it does make sense, in that your song has to beat those from highly experienced, professional songwriters but he knows that isn't what makes the difference.

 

James Blunt's BackTo Bedllam was the same when it was first released and didn't set the charts alight. It was a major money blitz which propelled You're Beautiful to the top of the charts and a promotion blitz which kept it there and saw the album take wings too.

 

Now 19 is and indie label, will that make a difference.