FEATURE:
Putting It on the Record
IN THIS PHOTO: Charli XCX/PHOTO CREDIT: Ira Chernova for METAL
Apple Music’s Behind the Songs
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THIS will be a short feature…
IN THIS PHOTO: Niall Horan/PHOTO CREDIT: Christian Tierney
but I am interested in the anatomy of songs and how albums come together. I have been looking back some of the Classic Albums shows and the brilliant records featured. It is good to know more about albums and how artists assembled songs. From the rumination period through to concept and release, I don’t think that we get to hear about songwriting and the process - in an age where we are streaming and flicking through tracks quite hastily. There are those who spend time with music and have that passion and curiosity. Last week, Music Week told us news about an interesting new series/portal from Apple Music:
“Apple Music has launched Behind The Songs, a home on the streaming platform to highlight and celebrate songwriters, producers and session musicians.
The portal will allow songwriters and publishers to participate in regularly updated editorial features and promotions with Apple Music.
It will also feature Apple Music original video content, including Lyrics To Live By and The Stories Behind The Songs, featuring artist-writers including Niall Horan, Dua Lipa, Charli XCX, Arlo Parks, Tones And I, Sam Smith, and more.
Behind The Songs also highlights creators through Apple Music's playlist brands Songbook and Behind The Boards.
Spotify recently launched its Noteable platform as a hub for songwriters.
Behind The Songs will be fully searchable in Apple Music. It will appear for any subscriber searching for “Songwriter” or “Songwriters”.
IN THIS PHOTO: Nile Rodgers/PHOTO CREDIT: David Yeo/The Guardian
Apple Music radio shows including Nile Rodgers’ Deep Hidden Meaning will also support the songwriting community.
“Apple Music has, above all, continued to invest deeply in the songwriting community and its various components, and Behind The Songs is a new place we can call home,” said Nile Rodgers. “I’ve loved bringing the stories of today’s most inspiring songwriters to life on my Deep Hidden Meaning radio show, and Apple Music been able to spotlight the best of what’s next with their resolute support of The Ivors Academy and the Rising Star Award.”
Behind the Songs is also the base for Apple Music’s partnership with the Ivors Academy, including the Rising Star Award With Apple Music at The Ivors”.
There has been a lot of criticism aimed at streaming services because they are not paying artists enough. Things are worse when it comes to songwriters and session musicians. Many are receiving a pittance…and I feel a lot of focus is on the artist and not the musicians and songwriters behind the tracks. This new service is going to be fascinating, as it sort of returns to that Classic Albums idea of taking apart tracks and getting to know more about the songwriters and musicians involved. The fact there is a series solely about lyrics is also pretty cool! I hope that it helps when it comes to streaming sites and adjusting their payment structure. I do feel that streaming is great, though the biggest problem is how little artists and musicians get.
IMAGE CREDIT: Song Exploder
I guess that is sort of a side-track, but I feel that the Behind the Songs hub will re-examine not only the importance of music and how we should listen; there should be a shift to the songwriters and sessions musicians and how valuable they are! The announced artists cover quite a spectrum. I am especially interested to hear from Charli XCX, Dua Lipa and Arlo Parks – three of the most-popular modern artists. Maybe I am not looking hard enough, because I don’t feel there are that many songwriting/lyrics podcasts/series. There is the exceptional and long-running Song Exploder. I love how they speak with artists and focus on one track. That sort of attention and exploration is what I really love! One cannot say that the market is crowded regarding portals like Behind the Songs and series such as The Stories Behind the Songs. Even if you are not a big fan of modern Pop, I think The Stories Behind the Songs and Lyrics to Live By will offer a lot to pique your curiosity! I feel that songwriters, session musicians and producers are relatively unsung heroes regarding the success of artists. Maybe they are not totally ignored; there tends to be less attention and love thrown their way. Apple Music is trying to rectify this with their portal. The series’ seems really fascinating, so I will have a listen for sure. If you love your music and want to know the tales behind the songs then…
IN THIS PHOTO: Dua Lipa/PHOTO CREDIT: David LaChapelle for Rolling Stone
BE sure to do the same.