Music Biz Searching For Singles
Posted October 13, 2008 — in Music News
Sony Music is contemplating the possiblity that Clive Davis can bring the HITS back, even after he was stripped from his role as CEO at BMG.
The New York Post says, “He helped break out UK “Pop Idol” winner Leona Lewis in America, where she’s sold 1.1 million albums and 4.2 million downloads of the hit song “Bleeding Love,”. And this week Oscar winner and former “American Idol” contestant Jennifer Hudson’s 217,000-selling debut, was good enough for No. 2 on the Billboard charts.
The Post claims that Sony Music, US label group boss Rob Stringer has asked Davis to talk with the heads of Columbia Records and Epic Records about working on projects for some of the artists on their labels.
“Sony is turning to Clive as a resource because there’s no great [artist & repertoire] guys there anymore,” said one source.
Davis’ involvement with Columbia is certain to raise eyebrows given its hiring last year of uber-producer Rick Rubin as co-head of the label. Sources inside and outside Sony Music said the company considers Rubin “unproven” and his tenure a “disappointment.”
Others dispute that, saying Stringer and Barnett enthusiastically back Rubin.
With Rod Stewart set for a new release, and works by Houston and Kelly Clarkson, Davis has the talent. That, combined with Davis’ trust in the single, not the album, might be just what Sony Music needs in the singles-driven download market.
“Clive’s theory has always been about the song, not the artist or the album,” said Three Rings partner and artist manager Jeff Rabhan.
The Bottom Line: Why isn’t Simon Cowell mentioned in this whole mix? If it wasn’t for American Idol there would be NO Leona Lewis and Jennifer Hudson. American Idol is absolutely the best source for finding undiscovered talent as it gets hundreds of thousands of submissions. Isn’t it easy to put the best vocalists and performers with top songwriters and producers, and who already have the eyeballs through American Idol? I would say so! Also, you cannot compare Rubin and Davis. Rubin is in the studio with Metallica and Clive is hanging out at the Grammys. Clive wants a single and Rubin wants an album. Either way, it’s two different approaches to the record business and the last time I checked singles weren’t saving the biz.
Singles may not be “saving the biz”, but they’ve been driving it (read: moving it along) for over half a century. In the grand scheme of things, the artist is there to serve the song. Dare I say, the artist (brace yourself) is secondary. There I said it. And, I’m not going to take it back.
But in all seriousness, this is what history has proven. Everybody can hum “Girl From Ipanema”, but most folks don’t know Antonio Carlos Jobim’s name. They could sing Crimson and Clover for you, but Tommy James and the Shondells is a name most familiar to pop music buffs and historians. I’m not down-playing their importance. I think it’s very sad that this is the case. But, in a way, I think it is a testiment to the amazing power of the pop song. They are what influence future works and ultimately move the industry forward, not the average, flavor-of-the-month, top 10 artist.
Comment by david — October 14, 2008 @ 7:11 am
Wrong, David. The “act” is secondary…artists make albums, not singles. Britney Spears is an artist like I’m humble in my opinion.
What hurts the industry is the act of forcing “single” status upon an album artist. Blind Melon’s second record was outstanding. But Capitol was so concerned with milking the Bee Girl, that it raped “No Rain” at the expense of a longer, consensual relationship.
Take a cute guy or girl, have em shake their booties and release a few singles…without albums. Then, only release full LPs of quality music. It will help the sales of both. Singles drive the biz like a drunk drives through a crosswalk. There…I said it.
Comment by phhht... — October 16, 2008 @ 2:37 pm
don’t forgot the great songwriters.they first must write great chart toping songs.lots of talents lie ashore.am a diamond in the dirt
Comment by pflame — October 20, 2008 @ 8:37 am