If we send a demo to a record label, does the songs have to be original?

Question

We have to write our own songs in order to send the record label a demo? Can it be a cover songs? If not, it's mean that young singers write their own songs?

Answer 1

you could send the covers to a label, but it would be beneficial to you if you were to record your own. It may be wise to make sure the record label doesnt produce the songs you are covering, just in case they decide to be jerks and cause a stink. Most labels make enough money to not bother pursuing you over something so harmless. You do need permission from the artist or person with rights to the song to legally record and sell a song, however. If you get a record deal you want to have your own music.

Answer 2

If you a soloist it may be OK to demonstrate your skills, but a Label wants up to 5 albums so youd better start writing

there are thousands of bands with lots of their own songs, original songs define an original band why do you think a label would want to sign a band that cant write songs?

The last band i got a deal for had a back catalogue of 90 original tracks and theyre still decing whether to sign it. Check out their site and the effort they put in (go to their my space site link and see the clip we had to make for their publicist to showcase)

Answer 3

My answer is that it should be a cover song. Any number of bands can play their own stuff....how can it be wrong or poorly executed? I would think that if you can sound as good as or better than or interestingly different from a well known band, then you have a place to start from. Leave the writing to the writers.

Answer 4

Depends on what the record label is looking for. They can still make money, but will have to pay royalties if you use someone else's songs.

Answer 5

contact sony bmg and ask them. i dont imagine you would have to write your own for a demo though

Answer 6

If I were u I would stick P Diddy name to it and then you wont have to worry.

Answer 7

i think you can do a cover