We Write the Songs..

We Write the Songs..

by senior contributor Brendan Kownacki
Photo credit: Brendan Kownacki

“We write about what’s important to us,” said ASCAP President Paul Williams as he welcomed Members of Congress and other distinguished guests to the annual We Write the Songs reception at the Library of Congress celebrating songwriters. “You’re doing something right in your life when you can show up at a place like the Library of Congress and feel like you just came home.”

As the four term President of ASCAP and as an esteemed veteran musician and songwriter, there are few other people who could stand before such a room with such unwavering joy but also determination to bring forward a fight in the name of his craft. Before taking the stage, Williams told Hollywood on the Potomac, “I’ve been a member of ASCAP since 1972, and what they did…I was able to write a second song, because after I wrote the first one and it was starting to be played, I didn’t have to go out and see what bars were playing it, what radio stations were playing it. This amazing collective licensing system has worked for over 100 years.”

Paul Williams

The last 100 years are assuredly different from the next though and that is the foundation for both the celebration and the subsequent advocacy day of discussions from the songwriters gathered. The world of streaming music has pushed forward some changes that would blow the mind of an artist who years ago saw their first single imprinted on vinyl and so it’s time to look at re-calibrating the compensation for artists to ensure a fair landscape.

“We’re not talking about that little place in Malibu, we’re talking about paying the rent” said Williams about the compensation issue. Songwriter Needlz agreed citing meager compensation for some of his work when compared to the global recognition and success of some of his songs, just one that many have heard of “Just the Way You Are” in collaboration with Bruno Mars, a song that spent 48 weeks in the Billboard Hot 100.

Savan Kotecha, another veteran songwriter with songs like “Can’t Feel My Face” and “Love Me Like You Do” on his roster described the highs: “You ever see That Thing You Do? Remember when they found their songs on the radio, running around town? I always imagined it would be like that. I was like in an office, writing an email and I can hear this thing in the background that sounds familiar and it wasn’t until the last minute that I’m like ‘THAT WAS MY SONG.’” All of that contrasted with the lows of seeing millions of streams online and royalties checks in the mail that didn’t seem to match.

The Library of Congress event is such a Jekyll and Hyde evening because the powerful names and faces, the singing and the celebration is all faced with the undertone that there is still something wrong that needs to be fixed. Those highs and lows parallel songwriting as a profession though.

MoZella

MoZella

Not everyone knows the name MoZella, but they sure know her music and the emotional highs and lows that they describe. Telling Hollywood on the Potomac, “You know, Wrecking Ball was so interesting the way the whole thing happened. I went through a horrible heartbreak, just kind of obliterated me and I didn’t know if I’d crawl out of the ashes or not. And in the depths of those ashes, in the despair, the song came out of me and the worst thing that ever happened to me became one of the best things that ever happened to me and it was really triumphant. I didn’t know it would be what it was; I didn’t know she would make that video; I didn’t know the world would all make videos of it, I didn’t know anything. It was such a true moment…it was life changing.” The Detroit native has also written for the likes of Charlie Puth, Kelly Clarkson and Rachel Platten and mentioned that her father was a politician growing up so the political battle was one she was ready to wage in her own stern, but charming way. “I truly believe that politicians are not that different than artists. We are all called at a certain age to take our talent and create value with it in the world… so hopefully tonight I’m going to speak to them about our calling and what our gift is and talk about being compensated and being paid for it.”

Brian McKnight

Speaking of charm, nobody could deny the charm that was glowing from singer/songwriter/producer Brian McKnight as he walked in the room and especially once he took to the stage. The silky tones of his voice took many back in time as the 16-time GRAMMY nominee sang his hit song “Back at One” and you wanted to follow wherever he was leading you. “It kinda blows my mind because songwriting is a very individual thing,” said McKnight. “You’re basically putting your ideas out there for the world to tell you that they’re great…or that they suck. So, when you’re recognized for that and you can come here and be a part of this history…the minute you set foot anywhere near these buildings you’re reminded how wonderful it is to be an American.”

Brian McNight

Brian McKnight performs at “We Write the Songs” | Photo Courtesy of ASCAP Foundation “We Write the Songs

McKnight joined the chorus of songwriters during the night who explained the impact of songwriting and music and how it is used to tell stories. McKnight said that it’s a special feeling he never tires of when he hears from people how his songs match up with moments in their life and that the emotional connect is the driving force. “I can only hope that the same way I listen to my favorite guys; Stevie Wonder, Kenny Loggins, I wanted to be like them and I wanted to find out if there was something in me that they have as well. I’m hoping that’s the same thing that the young kids coming up, that they want to do it, not necessarily for the fame or for the money but because you want to sort-of be beside the greats. You want to be able to express yourself and be welcomed into that fraternity by the guys who did it before you. For me, that’s really what it’s all about.”

(From left to right) Savan Kotecha, ASCAP President Paul Williams, Priscilla Renea, Brett James, MoZella, Brian McKnight, ASCAP EVP of Membership John Titta, Desmond Child, ASCAP CEO Beth Matthews | Photo Courtesy of ASCAP Foundation “We Write the Songs”

McKnight has certainly earned his spot in the Library of Congress collection and among the fraternity, joined through night as well by performances from Monica, Brett James, Priscilla Renea, Randy Goodrum and Desmond Child.

Songs help takes us high and recover from the lows, they tell our stories and often times become anthems for the fights we take on. I’m sure somewhere with this group there is anthem brewing as they continue the fight for compensation through the halls of congress. Songwriting is a roller coaster and one day as a stranger passing by is humming a tune that was once, just in your head, as MoZella puts it, “it’s life changing because you all of a sudden get the validation that all that work wasn’t for nothing, but you also get to see people’s lives touched by something as beautiful and simple yet complex as a song. So it’s awesome.”

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