It’s Not Fair!
Let me start off by expressing a pet peeve of mine. I understand that this is my burden though, because it’s something that’s probably not going to change any time soon. I’m not going to name any specific artists, because I don’t want to single anyone out. This is a problem that is rampant amongst all genres of music, so it would be simply mean spirited for me to call out artists who don’t produce their own music. Whether it be rock, rap, country, or whatever, every style of music has an example of this problem.
Taking Credit for Other People’s Work
Of course, the vocal artist is part of the creative process. Just like it’s unfair for an artist to receive all of the credit, it’s would unfair for them to receive none of it as well. Don’t misunderstand me and say that the person on the cover has nothing to do with the magic of the music. I’m not saying that at all. It takes talent to take an instrumental and turn it into a catchy song. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. If the song wasn’t even written by the singer, then that’s a whole different story altogether, but I digress.
What the problem here is that the common person attributes almost all of the credit for the creation of a song to the person on the album cover, and that sucks. When you talk to a friend about a song that you like, you usually refer to it as “song title” by “artist’s name”, don’t you? How often do you bother to look in the liner notes and see who produced the song? Now maybe some of you do. I know I do. And I know a lot of people who do as well. But I know a lot more people that simply don’t care.
Beware of Label Nazis!
You may ask “What Does A Music Producer Do?”. It’s not a simple, cut and dry question. When I use the term, I’m referring to a role that sometimes is filled by two people, a producer and an engineer. Oftentimes, the term “producer” will be used to describe a person who did very little work. Despite the fact that there’s little general consensus about what a producer is supposed to use, I like to refer to the person who created a majority of the instrumental and/or mix to be the producer. Note that a lot of people will refuse to think this way, and will insist that the role I’m referring to is the engineer. To those people, I will simply point out that if you choose to argue about this, you are missing the point. It’s not about getting the labels of the crew absolutely correct. It’s about stepping back and realize that there’s people behind the mixing board that are helping to make the music and aren’t getting the recognition that they deserve.
The Impact of A Good Producer
For artists who work exclusively with one producer, this producer is DIRECTLY responsible for creating their signature sound. And if someone happens to be a fan of that particular sound, then they owe their thanks to that producer for bringing that entertainment into their life. If an artist happens to work with multiple producers, then that is a good indication of whether or not you will like their new music. You can simple research who produced their new album, and if your favorite producer happens to be on the new album, then you are more likely to like it.
The movement to get more recognition for music producers isn’t an impossible goal. If Alfred Hitchcock can bring attention to the role of a movie director, and pave the way for directors such as James Cameron, David Fincher, Darren Aronofsky, and Kevin Smith to have their own fan followings, then there is no reason why music producers can’t have more recognition, and their own fanbases.
What Can You Do?
What I want you, the reader to do, is to grab a few of your favorite albums, and read the liner notes. Observe who produced some of your favorite tracks, and google their names. Chances are good that they have a website, and a list of albums that they have produced. Make a shopping list for some of the other albums that they have produced. Better yet, download the tracks, and spread the word that the reason that you like those songs is because of the producer. Give back to the producer and support their music!
*Painting by Julia Baird*
I would estimate that I weight the enjoyability of songs 80% based on the instrumental and 20% based on the lyrics in most instances. The producer of a song is much more influential than the lyricist unless the lyricist has outstanding qualities. I have many instrumentals of exciting songs, and can get more enjoyment and usage out of the instrumental than the song with lyrics. A song with a terrible background beat puts a huge weight on the vocalist, if it is to be enjoyable. The point you have made here, about appreciating what producers do, is key in bringing visibility to those who can be the whole reason why a song is a club-smasher or top-seller.
Armen Shirvanian’s most recent blog post..Being Called “Nice” Is Not A Positive Thing
Great point Trey!
And so, so very true, I don’t think I ever looked at the producer’s name in any album, let alone know any producer names really.
So yeah I wish the whole industry became a little more aware of spliting or should I say “sharing” the credit. It would be just nicer that way
@ Armen
I can agree with your percentages. The music is capable of bringing about emotions that words are incapable of. However, those tracks aren’t completed until the singer laces it up with his or her interpretation of the music. And yes, I want to bring this topic to discussion. Thanks for coming by!
@ Evita
To get you started, Trevor Horn, Mike E. Clark, and Dr. Dre have all produced some killer tracks, and with those three producers, you can’t go wrong… at all.
Not only would the industry be nicer, but fans would be able to find more music that they liked if they developed their own favorite producers in addition to their favorite emcees. Thanks for commenting!
Just don’t Google Phil Spector
Infact, controversy aside, Spector was accused of taking liberties with artists music. The Beatles reissued some tracks without the Spector trademark “Wall of Sound”.
Artists and producers work hand in hand, but the main vision of an album and the final say is up to the artist (usually). Take the Pixies Doolittle an example.
Of course, you have those who jump on the money train, but we are aware of that.
The producer’s job is to get across the energy, ambiance, or feel of the artist. Apart from that the producer and artist may work closely to make something that is only meant for recording.
The producer has “experience”. He knows what makes an album mesh. For example: intros to songs.
Although Billy Corgan produced Siamese Dream, Butch Vig said those sessions, for long hours and days, almost burnt him out.
People who aren’t really into it, don’t really care too much. However, It is an interesting and enlightening fact about how the music you listen to was made. It’s not just plug and play.
@ guy
In the case of musical geniuses like The Beatles, a producer’s influence is much less. I’m more or less referring to modern day music, which is less of a collaboration than it is a delegated process.
Many modern day artists can only perform certain duties, such as singing or playing an instrument, and would be completely lost behind a mixing board.
The point that I want to make is that producers don’t receive the credit that they deserve, especially in the pop and hip hop world. I’d like to see how Britney Spears would sound without the help of a producer, yet most of her fans COMPLETELY credit her for her music.