December 9, 2010

Nelly Furtado has insisted that new artists should write their own music if they want to be taken seriously.

The 'Night Is Young' singer believes that too many up-and-coming singers rely on being discovered through YouTube and not on their songwriting talent.

Giving advice to aspiring singers, she told Associated Press: "Write your own songs - even if you don't end up using it, it shows you what you want to say and you get in touch with what you want to say and who you are as an artist.

"I think nowadays everybody feels like they can become a star just because they're on YouTube, but that's not the only part of the equation."

She added: "There's a lot of hard work that goes with it and if you don't have the chops to back it up, it's gonna to be more challenging later on."

The star also said that artists shouldn't compromise their style, admitting that she had to "fight" her label to wear clothes she felt comfortable in.

On filming the music video for her debut single 'I'm Like A Bird', she recalled: "I fought to wear those shell-toe Adidas runners and [to wear] my hair back and those hoop [earrings] and the big jeans - I had to fight for all those things.

"You have to brand your image and wear what you want to wear and feel how you want to feel because people are seeing you for the first time."

Link

does she really think that last album of hers with Timbaland really sold on its songwriting merits?

She makes sense but her music and her voices suck

It's always people chasing mainstream fame that will turn the other cheek and say something like that. Really, Ms. Furtado? You didn't have anything to do with it "dying out"? Give me a fucking break.

Why are people attacking Nelly? What she said was true, regardless of her own talents. I happen to love her music (most of it).

MidniteMagnet said:

Why are people attacking Nelly? What she said was true, regardless of her own talents. I happen to love her music (most of it).

Guess I'm not a fan. I don't like her music, well after the very first one lol

Timmy84 said:

It's always people chasing mainstream fame that will turn the other cheek and say something like that. Really, Ms. Furtado? You didn't have anything to do with it "dying out"? Give me a fucking break.

She ought to tell up and coming artists that the benefit of writing your own material is not simply that you'll be taken seriously but that you'll be PAID!!! When an artists allows other to create their music and image then that's less money in the artists pocket.

DesireeNevermind said:

She ought to tell up and coming artists that the benefit of writing your own material is not simply that you'll be taken seriously but that you'll be PAID!!! When an artists allows other to create their music and image then that's less money in the artists pocket.

You see, it'll be easy to do that but they got so much big egos they think about themselves and what would benefit them so all of a sudden they're all "the industry is doom and gloom" when they're in a position to TEACH someone about how to handle their own business but they seem to only do it when it don't benefit them.

DesireeNevermind said:

She ought to tell up and coming artists that the benefit of writing your own material is not simply that you'll be taken seriously but that you'll be PAID!!! When an artists allows other to create their music and image then that's less money in the artists pocket.

this too.

Let me also add . . .

The digital age really has change how artist, musicians, singers, and songwriters can chart a course for how they go about making a living and/or getting exposure. I happen to be a BIG fan and listener of acoustic guitar fingerstyle, this genre of music has never had an option of being heard on free radio or it's artist seen on TV. Most of these artist who've found 'fame" on Youtube and other such digital media will tell you success for them is being able to for the first time to make a living soley as an artist / musician. So, this chicks comments are, myopic.

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[Edited 12/9/10 17:44pm]

TD3 said:

DesireeNevermind said:

She ought to tell up and coming artists that the benefit of writing your own material is not simply that you'll be taken seriously but that you'll be PAID!!! When an artists allows other to create their music and image then that's less money in the artists pocket.

this too.

Let me also add . . .

The digital age really has change how artist, musicians, singers, and songwriters can chart a course for how they go about making a living and/or getting exposure. I happened to be a BIG fan and listener of acoustic guitar fingerstyle, this genre of music has never had an option of being heard on free radio or it's artist seen on TV. Most of these artist who've found 'fame" on Youtube and other such digital media will tell you success for them is being able to for the first time to make a living soley on being a artist / musician. So, this chicks comments are, myopic.

DesireeNevermind said:

She ought to tell up and coming artists that the benefit of writing your own material is not simply that you'll be taken seriously but that you'll be PAID!!! When an artists allows other to create their music and image then that's less money in the artists pocket.

Not in all cases. Many acts have written songs but had bad contracts and so their songs are owned by someone else. In the past, there were also songwriters for hire that worked for record companies, so the songs are owned by the label. Some signed their songs over to other people or publishing companies to get their songs recorded like Tom Parker had it set up for Elvis (which Elvis didn't really like, because sometimes he wanted to record songs that Parker refused.) In any case, if the song doesn't sell, no one gets paid. As far as self-writing having a "personal or deep" meaning, I don't think songs like Rock Lobster, Disco Duck, Cotton Eyed Joe, Everybody Likes To Cha Cha, I Am The Walrus, Rappers Delight, Monster Mash, etc. really have any meaning to the performers who wrote them.

she's right, and good point about pocketing money

MickyDolenz said:

DesireeNevermind said:

She ought to tell up and coming artists that the benefit of writing your own material is not simply that you'll be taken seriously but that you'll be PAID!!! When an artists allows other to create their music and image then that's less money in the artists pocket.

Not in all cases. Many acts have written songs but had bad contracts and so their songs are owned by someone else. In the past, there were also songwriters for hire that worked for record companies, so the songs are owned by the label. Some signed their songs over to other people or publishing companies to get their songs recorded like Tom Parker had it set up for Elvis (which Elvis didn't really like, because sometimes he wanted to record songs that Parker refused.) In any case, if the song doesn't sell, no one gets paid. As far as self-writing having a "personal or deep" meaning, I don't think songs like Rock Lobster, Disco Duck, Cotton Eyed Joe, Everybody Likes To Cha Cha, I Am The Walrus, Rappers Delight, Monster Mash, etc. really have any meaning to the performers who wrote them.

"Rock Lobster", that's my jam. Ya'll beta' recognize!

TD3 said:

MickyDolenz said:

Not in all cases. Many acts have written songs but had bad contracts and so their songs are owned by someone else. In the past, there were also songwriters for hire that worked for record companies, so the songs are owned by the label. Some signed their songs over to other people or publishing companies to get their songs recorded like Tom Parker had it set up for Elvis (which Elvis didn't really like, because sometimes he wanted to record songs that Parker refused.) In any case, if the song doesn't sell, no one gets paid. As far as self-writing having a "personal or deep" meaning, I don't think songs like Rock Lobster, Disco Duck, Cotton Eyed Joe, Everybody Likes To Cha Cha, I Am The Walrus, Rappers Delight, Monster Mash, etc. really have any meaning to the performers who wrote them.

"Rock Lobster", that's my jam. Ya'll beta' recognize!

Hell yeah! Rock Lobster is timeless in its own way. Some songs just gotta have that musical knock and I'm good and the music (and the voices)... OH MY GOD! Love the B52's!

Identity said:

The star also said that artists shouldn't compromise their style, admitting that she had to "fight" her label to wear clothes she felt comfortable in.

Hmm... I love Nelly... at least her first 2 albums, but she sould have heeded that advice before she released Loose and suddenly had dancers on her stage trying to dance herself.

WTF?? The dumb is making fun of the fool??

She's right, but she's ... Nelly Furtado. Girl got some catchy tunes, but bitching about "writing your own songs"??

Sorry sounds... out of tune... If it was Bob Dylan, Bob Marley, Prince or Tom Waits, I would have sincerity...

What's next? Sean Paul bitching about singers who can't dance?? Lil Wayne bitching about singers bad English grammar? T-Pain bitching about singing out of tune??

This world... This world...

TD3 said:

MickyDolenz said:

Not in all cases. Many acts have written songs but had bad contracts and so their songs are owned by someone else. In the past, there were also songwriters for hire that worked for record companies, so the songs are owned by the label. Some signed their songs over to other people or publishing companies to get their songs recorded like Tom Parker had it set up for Elvis (which Elvis didn't really like, because sometimes he wanted to record songs that Parker refused.) In any case, if the song doesn't sell, no one gets paid. As far as self-writing having a "personal or deep" meaning, I don't think songs like Rock Lobster, Disco Duck, Cotton Eyed Joe, Everybody Likes To Cha Cha, I Am The Walrus, Rappers Delight, Monster Mash, etc. really have any meaning to the performers who wrote them.

"Rock Lobster", that's my jam. Ya'll beta' recognize!

Betta recognize cotton eyed joe and rapper's delight too. Those songs told a story. The writers obviously had deep rooted and unresolved emotional issues. Imagine some dude named Joe with a cotton eye stealing the woman that was to be your wife. The public embarassment must have been unbearable. Imagine having to eat soggy macaroni and chicken that taste like wood. On top of that you have to compete with a fairied Superman to impress a girl.

Well now those songs just wreak of poverty, foresaken love and depression.

No meaning to the performers.....SHEESH!!!!

I wouldn't say songwriting is dying out. Ain't nobody singing the blues, but after awhile, people get tired of hearing songs about banging somebody.

angel345 said:

I wouldn't say songwriting is dying out. Ain't nobody singing the blues, but after awhile, people get tired of hearing songs about banging somebody.

yeah i mean i was actually going to post something on this too, whats the deal with RB? and every single male or female artists song being about "you played me, i played you, this that and the other" i just watched a behind the scenes of the new Jamie Foxx disaster song, though i give him props for his video female choice, Model Jessica Burciaga, but, the video is the same old shit and the song is the same old shit, "fighting, making up fighting, playing me, you'll need me, etc..." god someone press restart on the whole fucking scene already

lastdecember said:

angel345 said:

I wouldn't say songwriting is dying out. Ain't nobody singing the blues, but after awhile, people get tired of hearing songs about banging somebody.

yeah i mean i was actually going to post something on this too, whats the deal with RB? and every single male or female artists song being about "you played me, i played you, this that and the other" i just watched a behind the scenes of the new Jamie Foxx disaster song, though i give him props for his video female choice, Model Jessica Burciaga, but, the video is the same old shit and the song is the same old shit, "fighting, making up fighting, playing me, you'll need me, etc..." god someone press restart on the whole fucking scene already

Oh yeah, it gets old after awhile

DesireeNevermind said:

TD3 said:

"Rock Lobster", that's my jam. Ya'll beta' recognize!

Betta recognize cotton eyed joe and rapper's delight too. Those songs told a story. The writers obviously had deep rooted and unresolved emotional issues. Imagine some dude named Joe with a cotton eye stealing the woman that was to be your wife. The public embarassment must have been unbearable. Imagine having to eat soggy macaroni and chicken that taste like wood. On top of that you have to compete with a fairied Superman to impress a girl.

Well now those songs just wreak of poverty, foresaken love and depression.

No meaning to the performers.....SHEESH!!!!

angel345 said:

I wouldn't say songwriting is dying out. Ain't nobody singing the blues, but after awhile, people get tired of hearing songs about banging somebody.

Oh yeah also Hey Nelly F thank your boy Timbaland for killing off songwriting by making it all about beats... i mean really now, anymore "Pot calling the kettle black" quotes this week? First Keri Hilson, now Nelly and Neyo on Album Sales crap, and now Nelly Furtado who sold herself out for a hit or two and now whines about songwriting not being the focus??? WHats next Video Girls in Rap Videos complaining about being exploited?

lastdecember said:

Oh yeah also Hey Nelly F thank your boy Timbaland for killing off songwriting by making it all about beats... i mean really now, anymore "Pot calling the kettle black" quotes this week? First Keri Hilson, now Nelly and Neyo on Album Sales crap, and now Nelly Furtado who sold herself out for a hit or two and now whines about songwriting not being the focus??? WHats next Video Girls in Rap Videos complaining about being exploited?

Like I said it's always the ones chasing the money that'll be the first ones complaining about something dying.

DesireeNevermind said:

TD3 said:

"Rock Lobster", that's my jam. Ya'll beta' recognize!

Betta recognize cotton eyed joe and rapper's delight too. Those songs told a story. The writers obviously had deep rooted and unresolved emotional issues. Imagine some dude named Joe with a cotton eye stealing the woman that was to be your wife. The public embarassment must have been unbearable. Imagine having to eat soggy macaroni and chicken that taste like wood. On top of that you have to compete with a fairied Superman to impress a girl.

Well now those songs just wreak of poverty, foresaken love and depression.

No meaning to the performers.....SHEESH!!!!

You mean that Debbie Harry really met an alien that eats Subarus, bars, and guitars. I guess I'd better not mess around with Jim or I'll wind up like bad Leroy Brown.

Timmy84 said:

lastdecember said:

Oh yeah also Hey Nelly F thank your boy Timbaland for killing off songwriting by making it all about beats... i mean really now, anymore "Pot calling the kettle black" quotes this week? First Keri Hilson, now Nelly and Neyo on Album Sales crap, and now Nelly Furtado who sold herself out for a hit or two and now whines about songwriting not being the focus??? WHats next Video Girls in Rap Videos complaining about being exploited?

Like I said it's always the ones chasing the money that'll be the first ones complaining about something dying.

When I heard R Kelly sing "When A Woman Loves", he sang the heck out of that song, and it's an old classic. Now that's singing the blues. It's all about putting out quality material, whether you're a singer or producer.

Timmy84 said:

angel345 said:

I wouldn't say songwriting is dying out. Ain't nobody singing the blues, but after awhile, people get tired of hearing songs about banging somebody.

Wrong. Songs about banging somebody will never get old.

novabrkr said:

Timmy84 said:

Wrong. Songs about banging somebody will never get old.

Well blues songs back in the day were raunchy but you can tell the imagination in there.

Timmy84 said:

novabrkr said:

Wrong. Songs about banging somebody will never get old.

Well blues songs back in the day were raunchy but you can tell the imagination in there.

Which was the point I was trying to make, although it could have been articulated better. Nowadays, what makes it so bad, half of the time, you know from their lyrics who they're banging, who did them wrong, who got played, as lastdecember put it, especially rappers. Little or nothing to the imagination.