The Changing Landscape of Songwriting
The music industry has undergone significant changes over the years, and songwriting is no exception. Lauren Christy, a hit songwriter with credits like Avril Lavigne’s "Complicated", Bebe Rexha’s "Me, Myself & I", and Enrique Iglesias’ "Tonight (I’m Lovin’ You)", has witnessed these changes firsthand. Christy has recently released a collection of her own interpretations of her greatest hits, titled "Your Hits, My Way".
The Golden Age of Songwriting
When Christy first started out as an artist and later as part of the production trio The Matrix, the economy of the craft was vastly different from today. In the 90s and early 2000s, songwriters could earn a comfortable living from writing songs for commercial publications. Even if a song wasn’t a single, the proportional payment from album sales – with LPs or CDs costing over $10 – was substantial. Christy recalls that "you could literally buy a house" with the money earned from songwriting.
The Challenges of Modern Songwriting
However, the rise of streaming has turned the formula on its head, and songwriters are now facing significant challenges. Christy notes that "it’s very, very difficult to be a songwriter today" because the songwriter is often the least important person in the process. With streaming, the payment structure has changed, and songwriters are often left out of the equation. Christy teaches a master class on songwriting and offers advice to prospective writers on TikTok, emphasizing the importance of adapting to the changing landscape.
Adapting to the New Reality
Christy has adapted to the developed business by learning music production. Unlike writers, producers have fees and royalties agreed upon before a song’s release. Songwriters, on the other hand, often work on spec and may be the last to know if their contribution was used. Christy has taken matters into her own hands by producing her own music and recruiting her daughters to sing background vocals. Her friend Benj Heard produced the tracks, including a reworked version of "Hollywood’s Not America", which was originally released in 2008.
A Labor of Love
Christy’s latest project, "Your Hits, My Way", is a labor of love that showcases her own interpretations of her greatest hits. She spent a year reworking classics like "Tonight" (Enrique Iglesias) and "Blow Your Mind (Mwah)" (Dua Lipa). Christy’s goal was to sing the songs she was passionate about, and the project allowed her to tap into her creative side. She notes that "if you’re a creative person, you should always be creative" and that this project was a way for her to express herself.
The Creative Process
Christy’s songwriting process is adaptive and intuitive. She refers to a "spiritual undertone" in her writing, which is all about feeling something. Christy can write deep, dark songs or funny, pop-oriented tracks, depending on the environment and collaborators she’s working with. She trusts that something will come through when she’s in the room, and she can feel it when the music begins.
Conquering New Genres
While Christy has had success in various genres, she notes that country music is one area where she hasn’t yet conquered. However, she’s recently worked with Jesse Murph, and they’ve written some nice, deep songs. Christy sees mentoring the next generation of writers and artists as a responsibility, emphasizing the importance of adapting to the changing landscape.
Mentoring the Next Generation
Christy believes that songwriters need to adapt and become proficient in production to survive in the industry. She notes that "at the moment, there is no career for you" as a songwriter, and it’s essential to be multifaceted. Christy is passionate about mentoring young writers and artists, and she’s grateful for people who are advocating for their rights. She encourages aspiring songwriters to develop their production skills and to be proactive in their careers.
