Notes on Napkins

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Monthly Archives: January 2025


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Navigating AI in Songwriting: What SongU.com Members Need to Know

The rapid rise of artificial intelligence (AI) in music creation has sparked conversations throughout the songwriting community. For SongU.com members, the question isn’t just about the technology itself but how AI-enhanced songs fit into SongU.com’s educational and pitching landscape. The following article is based on the insights and opinions regarding AI from our SongU faculty and mentors, comprised of music publishers, song pluggers, and producers, as well as personal experiences and questions from SongU members.* Let’s delve into the heart of the matter: Can you pitch AI-enhanced songs at SongU.com?

The Short Answer

Here’s a brief summary of how we handle AI-enhanced songs specifically and solely for pitching at SongU.com by our members:

If the listing on our site states the pitch guest is not accepting AI-generated material, you may not pitch an AI-generated song to that listing or brief. However, if the listing does not mention AI, you may pitch your AI-enhanced songs, but you must disclose in the note to the pitch guest the exact way you used AI. Here are some examples: “I wrote the lyrics, but the music and instrumentation are fully generated by AI.” Or, “My co-writer and I wrote the lyrics and melody, but AI created the track for this genre.” Or, “This is my demo, but it’s an AI vocal.”

Note that, in general, the sync agents can not accept AI-generated music or vocals because it adds a layer of complexity in clearing the song for licensing. For artist pitches, the publisher or song plugger guests can go either way. Some are willing to hear what you’ve got. They can contact you if they love the song but need a “real” demo. Or, if you’re using AI for vocals only, sometimes those can work. Other publishers are adamantly opposed to AI for copyright and other business reasons.

Because of legal and copyright ambiguities, the best way to use AI is as a tool to enhance your songwriting. Using it to completely generate the melody and track is trickier (again, for copyright reasons). You should at least check that the AI program you’re using states that the vocals used for the music are not recordings or representative files of actual artists and that the music tracks are not taken directly from pre-existing copyrighted material. 

The Comprehensive Answer

Here’s a more detailed exploration of what SongU’s understanding and perspective regarding AI-generated songs.

Full disclosure: I asked AI to summarize 65 pages of my personal email correspondence to the SongU faculty (pitch guests, music publishers, song pluggers, sync agents, and producers) and our members to use as source material regarding this subject, and it did a great job. Our faculty and member input gives us a clear, informative, and actionable list of what you need to know about working with AI. (I double-checked the results to ensure the content is correct and accurate.)

The Topics Covered are:

  1. Industry Resistance to AI-Generated Demos
  2. Sync Licensing Challenges
  3. Ethical and Legal Ambiguities
  4. Diverging Views Among Professionals
  5. Using AI as a Songwriting Tool
  6. Transparency is the Key
  7. Creative Risks With AI
  8. Future Trajectory for AI
  9. Actionable Insights for SongU Members

Industry Resistance to AI-Generated Demos

  • Many music publishers and sync licensing agents reject AI-generated demos, citing concerns over vocal quality and copyright ambiguities.
  • Professionals, such as one of our music publisher mentors, emphasize that AI vocals often lack the polish needed for industry pitching. This risks their own reputations when presenting to A&R teams or sync clients.

Sync Licensing Challenges

  • Sync libraries, including major ones like Crucial Music, do not accept AI-generated tracks due to legal complexities and the inability to guarantee originality.
  • A major issue for sync pitches is that songs must be “ready to use as is,” making AI involvement a red flag for liability and quality control.

Ethical and Legal Ambiguities

  • Legal issues center on whether AI models trained on copyrighted material violate intellectual property laws.
  • Courts are still deciding the legality of AI’s training methods and outputs, creating uncertainty about its widespread adoption.
  • Organizations like American Performing Rights Organizations such as ASCAP, the British Rights Society, MCPS, and others enforce rules that do not allow 100% AI-generated works and require substantial human input for copyrightability. If a musical work is created with partial AI assistance but includes significant human authorship, it may be eligible for copyright protection and registration.

“If a musical work is created with partial AI assistance but includes significant human authorship, it may be eligible for copyright protection and registration with ASCAP.”

–American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP)

Diverging Views Among Industry Professionals

  • Some music industry professionals accept AI-enhanced demos for educational or creative experimentation, provided the songwriter discloses AI usage.
  • Others reject AI outright, arguing it undermines the creative process and potentially displaces industry professionals, such as demo singers and musicians.

Using AI as a Songwriting Tool

  • Songwriters are exploring AI tools like Suno.com and Neutone Morpho to generate tracks, test ideas, or improve worktapes, especially for those with limited production skills or budgets.
  • AI is seen as a means to reduce costs and generate and iterate songs quickly, but the results can vary widely in quality. Making them competitive requires significant human intervention—sometimes, as many as 100+ attempts.

Transparency is Key

  • There is consensus that songwriters must disclose their use of AI, especially when pitching to music publishers, song pluggers, or sync agents. Transparency can prevent misunderstandings and maintain trust.
  • Some members use AI-generated demos as templates, later replacing them with live recordings for pitching.

Creative Risks with AI

  • While AI can provide emerging songwriters with access to high-quality production tools, it raises concerns about a flood of mediocre, generic music saturating the market.
  • Authenticity and originality will become increasingly valued as listeners and industry professionals push back against overly polished, AI-driven outputs.

Future Trajectory for AI

  • Integrating AI into the creative process is a moving target, with industry standards and legal frameworks evolving rapidly.
  • We advise songwriters to stay informed about technological advancements, legal rulings, and industry attitudes to make strategic decisions.

Actionable Insights for SongU Members

  • Focus on Disclosure: Clearly indicate how AI is used in the songwriting process when pitching.
  • Leverage AI Strategically: Use AI as a creative assistant rather than a substitute for human contribution to ensure originality and compliance with copyright laws.
  • Adapt to Feedback: If publishers or sync agents request higher-quality outputs, be prepared to replace AI demos with traditional recordings.
  • Invest in Knowledge: Stay updated on industry trends, legal developments, and AI tools to navigate this evolving landscape effectively.

I hope this discussion gives you a better understanding of the opportunities and challenges AI brings to songwriting. It underscores the need to be ethical and intentional as we integrate AI into our songwriting endeavors.

*Thanks to the SongU.com faculty, guest, and members who contributed their thoughts, questions, and expertise to source this article. They are: Danny Arena, Martin Bell, Sherrill Blackman, Benn Cutarelli, Helen Darling, Bob Dellaposta, Diona Devincenzi, Shawn Fitzgerald, Debra Foster, Dallas Gregory, Ronald Jenkins, Kevin Kilberry, Randy Klein, Sara Light, Justin Morgan, Queenie Mullinex, Jeffrey Nelson, Michael Nichols, Lisa Palas, Nancy Peacock, Jon Philibert, Marcia Ramirez, John Schofield, Alan Roy Scott, Michele Vice-Maslin, and Debbie Zavitson


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The Music Biz: A Look Back at 2024 and Predictions for 2025

Curated by Benn Cutarelli, SongU.com Faculty

As we turn the page on 2024, it’s time to reflect on some of the fascinating trends and shifts in the music industry. This article draws on insights shared by renowned music producer, engineer, and author Bobby Owsinski, who has been at the forefront of analyzing industry trends. Through his books and podcasts, Owsinski offers a wealth of knowledge about the evolving landscape of music production, business, and technology.

With Bobby’s permission, here’s a glimpse into the key takeaways from his podcast, “The Music Biz: A Look Back at 2024”, along with predictions for 2025.

Photo by rovenimages.com on Pexels.com

Highlights From 2024

Songwriting and Artists

  1. Emerging Song Trends (Data from music company “Luminate”):
    • Major hits featured slower tempos, with some below 79 BPM.
    • Only 37% of pop songs charted.
    • Rhyme density* in lyrics proved essential, driving better sales and listener engagement.
    • Traditional song forms like Verse/Build/Chorus/Bridge/Tag are making a comeback.
  2. Streaming Statistics (Chart Metric):
    • 3,260 new artists were added daily to streaming platforms, totaling 1.3 million new artists in 2023.
    • 64% were solo acts, with 75% being male artists.
    • A staggering 87% of artists on streaming platforms gained no traction.
  3. Shocking Online Data:
    • 45.6 million tracks received zero plays.
    • 86% of tracks garnered fewer than 1,000 plays.
    • Deezer deleted 26 million tracks due to lack of listeners.

Social Media and Streaming Platforms

  • TikTok’s Turbulent Year:
    • The platform struggled to gain traction in the U.S. music scene, largely due to licensing issues with major record labels.
    • Facing global bans for security concerns, TikTok’s future remains uncertain, even as it introduced 30-minute video capabilities.
  • Streaming Platforms Tighten Requirements:
    • Apple Music began requesting detailed credits, including writer, producer, and engineer information, with each upload.

Industry Shifts

  • Sam Ash Music Closes:
    • The family-owned retail chain shut its doors following the CEO’s passing.
  • Fender’s Guitar Study:
    • Fender revealed that 90% of new guitar players quit within three months, correlating with plummeting guitar sales.
  • Immersive Audio’s Limited Appeal:
    • Despite the hype, 70% of studios reported zero inquiries for immersive audio projects like ATMOS mixes.
  • AI and Legal Protections:
    • Tennessee passed the ELVIS Act, protecting artists’ voices and likenesses from unauthorized AI use.

Predictions for 2025

Social Media and Streaming

  • TikTok is expected to be banned in the U.S., continuing a global trend.
  • A “social media revolt” looms as users demand surprise and authenticity over algorithmic curation.
  • Streaming platforms may delete even more tracks, following Deezer’s lead.
  • Netflix is rumored to be entering the music streaming space.

Artists and AI

  • Indie artists will likely dominate mainstream platforms as major labels scale back artist development.
  • A backlash against AI music is anticipated, as consumers begin to identify and reject it.

Industry Trends

  • Guitar Center may face renewed financial struggles due to lagging sales.
  • Private equity investments in record labels could shrink artist support and shift focus to catalog exploitation.
  • Financial technology (fintech) innovations, like microloans for artists, could help musicians stay afloat.
  • Radio may enjoy a renaissance, reclaiming its place in the music ecosystem.

Final Thoughts
The music industry’s landscape is as dynamic as ever. While 2024 brought slower tempos, declining streaming success for most artists, and increased challenges for legacy platforms like TikTok, 2025 promises new opportunities (and new hurdles). From the rise of indie artists to the impact of financial technology and social media revolutions, this year will undoubtedly reshape the industry yet again. 

For full recording industry podcasts, visit Bobby Owsinski’s website: Bobby Owsinski Home.

*From Chat GPT when asked, “What’s Rhyme Density?” Rhyme density refers to the frequency and complexity of rhymes in a song’s lyrics. It measures how often rhyming words or phrases occur within a given section of a song, such as a verse or chorus. High rhyme density typically means that rhymes are tightly packed, appearing in quick succession, and often include internal rhymes (within lines) and end rhymes (at the end of lines).

For example:

  • Low rhyme density: “I went to the store / Then I walked out the door.”
  • High rhyme density: “I went to the store, adored the decor, / Grabbed an apple core, and then walked out the door.”

Songs with higher rhyme density often feel more engaging and memorable, as they create a rhythmic and lyrical flow that listeners enjoy. In the context of Bobby Owsinski’s observations, rhyme density is linked to commercial success, as it adds appeal and catchiness to songs, making them resonate better with audiences.