Royalties
Composition vs. Recording
The composition is the song itself (melody, lyrics, chords); the recording is a specific captured performance of that song.
Where this sits
Composition vs. Recording
- Distribution
- Broadcast
- Publishing
- Performance
Every piece of recorded music is really two copyrights, owned and paid separately. The composition (the "song" or publishing side) is the underlying work: melody, chords, and lyrics. The recording (the "master") is one specific captured performance of that composition. Understanding the split is the key to understanding why you get paid from several places for a single song, and why money so often goes missing on one side.
Good to know
Composition vs. Recording: common questions
- If I wrote and recorded my own song, do I collect both sides?
- Yes. You're owed composition royalties (as the songwriter/publisher) and recording royalties (as the recording artist). They come from different sources, so both have to be registered and collected.