The Richest Songs In The World

[Richard A Thackeray]

Monday 12th
BBC 4
22:00 - 23:30

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01pjrt5


I've not seen this on its previous broadcast, or looked at the listings
However, barring the obvious Lennon & McCartney related offerings, I thought of a trio of very famous songs that spring straight to my mind - but really for the cover versions

It's generally accepted, isn't it, that it's the song-writer who makes the real money, not the singer??


Hence;
I Will Always Love You (Dolly Parton)
Guitar Man (Jerry Reed - 'Snowman' in Smokey & Bandit)
A Thing Called Love (Jerry Reed, again)

I'm sure you all have more offerings, as will l, when I think about it/check a few out

 

[threebikesmcginty]

Couple spring to mind.

Nick Lowe What's So Funny covered by Curtis Steiger and used in The Bodyguard, there's only a snippet but it made the OST album and Nicky got a six figure payout.

That awful Wet Wet Wet song that was No1 for twenty years (what they didn't write) Marty Pellow did write the B-Side and bought a castle with the proceeds, any left over he mainlined.

 

[threebikesmcginty]

And you mention the songwriter getting the cash, take the Gallagher's (please...), Liam's worth about £10m but Noel who penned the tunes about £60m.

 

[gavroche]

My way. Claude François.
What now my love. Gilbert Bécaud.
La mer. Charles Trenet.

 

[Pale Rider]

If White Christmas by Irving Berlin is not declared the richest song I will eat my Santa hat.

Bing Crosby's single sold anything between 50 and 100 million, then there's as many again from versions by other artists.

As it's the music business, it may be Berlin didn't get all the publishing, but I reckon the song itself has made more money - for whoever - than any other.

 

[Vapin' Joe]

It can't give a true picture of the best selling or most popular songs due to the effects of inflation, anymore than the lists of highest grossing films of all time.

 

[Dayvo]

This surely is the most popular sung song - ever, and probably earned someone a LOT of money.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/b...sive-birthday-gifts-was-finally-a6768761.html

 

[Beebo]

Pen a Christmas classic and you are made for life.
Noddy Holder loves the January royalty cheque e

 

[slowmotion]

I think that the secret is to write the song, retain the copyright, and perform it. Presumably, you can then give other people the right to perform it on any terms you like.

 

[Oxo]

Some time ago my wife went to see Georgie Fame. He said that he had basically lived comfortably for years off the back of one song, Yea Yea.

 

[MontyVeda]

If White Christmas by Irving Berlin is not declared the richest song I will eat my Santa hat.

Bing Crosby's single sold anything between 50 and 100 million, then there's as many again from versions by other artists.

As it's the music business, it may be Berlin didn't get all the publishing, but I reckon the song itself has made more money - for whoever - than any other.

IIRC, the #1 song was Happy Birthday... but i think its copyright status has all changed now.

 

[TheDoctor]

I seem to remember someone asking Don McLean when 'American Pie' meant.

'It means I don't ever have to work again if I don't want to' came the reply...

 

[Pale Rider]

If White Christmas by Irving Berlin is not declared the richest song I will eat my Santa hat.

Bing Crosby's single sold anything between 50 and 100 million, then there's as many again from versions by other artists.

As it's the music business, it may be Berlin didn't get all the publishing, but I reckon the song itself has made more money - for whoever - than any other.

Happy Birthday.

Pah, that's not a proper song.