exclucive lyrics for you

The headline is a mere teaser! Sorry for this ;-)

As you may know, or may not know, I don't write exclusively for anybody, not even for myself. There are three exceptions at the moment. These are co-writes with other authors. Two song lyrics were written for and together with Adrian Chapman, "Sarah" - a variant from my dubious "Sabrina" - was written together with Martin Goetz, Robert Baitinger, and Helmut Hirner. All my other stuff comes with a "creative commons licence" that allows everybody to use or modify it, or set it to music - preferably set it to music ;-) There is one restriction: this is true as long as the results - the changed lyrics and/or the songs - are not used commercially, i.e. are neither performed nor sold on CDs or over the internet. Whereas their commercial use is not a huge problem either. I am a member of the German PRO (performing rights organization) that works together with all the other national PROs, and I simply let them handle the royalties. It's pretty straightforward, really. I've excluded the licensing of internet sales, though, like selling songs via CD Baby or similar agents. In this case you'd have to deal with me directly. I will then be asking for a 5% share for the lyrics, or 10% if you cover one of my songs.

I've got off-topic, I'm afraid. Well...

Most musical partners expect - more or less explicitely - me to write exclusive lyrics that only they may use themselves. I won't do that, though, if in doubt, they have to find another writer. BUT there are quite a few lyrics that have not been set to music to date. Others were written for young musicians who later decided to pursue other careers. Much to my regret there were great pieces of music that have never been published. Anyway, there are well over 100 lyrics by me that have not made it into songs to this day. I won't licence them exclusively to anybody, but should you decide to set them to music you'd not only be the first, but you'd also have the realistic chance to remain the only one. Deal?

Just a few examples (I've excluded those that MIGHT be set to music in the near future, be it by myself):

42, a song about you, addicted, bad luck, boozed, bush fires, butterfly, by the pool, call a spade a spade, climb up the rainbow, cut you out, do it right, don't call me by my name, down the drain, drifting, Europa, fuck being cool, garden of bliss, God of the ants, gotta see my shrink...

About 100 lyrics to choose from. Not exclusive, yet as good as!

Bernd