No lyrics in cd's

[chip]

I recently purchased a couple of CD's only to find that the lyrics weren't included in the insert. I emailed the bands and received a reply stating that they were saving on the printing cost http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif I sent back a reply stating that I might as well just use ITunes and pay .99 for the songs I want. So instead of paying $15-$19 I might only spend $5 or $6 on the songs I really like, thus they lose $9 or $10 since I didn't purchase the CD. Why pay the price of the CD for some pretty pictures and no lyrics to sing along with or learn the song better. It's not like I have the time to sit there and spend hours writing the lyrics to all the tunes...Any thoughts? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/coffee.gif

Gibson MMF5-V
Gibson f-4 1922
Flatiron Performer A

Chip http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[Brady Smith]

Lyrics? I want tab in my CD's! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[mandroid]

until they figure a way to have you pay royalties, each time you sing it, the convenience is optional.

[steve V. johnson]

The CDs themselves, the jewel case and the shrink wrap cost about 1/8 of the total of a CD package, the great majority of the cost is the paper parts, the booklet and the "tray card," the thing you see thru the back of the jewel case.

If the money is tight, and the band feels that you can understand the lyrics already, in the tunes, it's a pretty basic decision to leave the lyrics off.

We put them in the Lopers CD because we like the songs, and Dave McConnell's songwriting most of all, and we made the choice to come up with the money for a big booklet. It helped that my wife, the fabulous Min Gates, who does graphics as her profession, did the graphics work as her contribution, so we didh't have to put cash out for a designer.

I don't mind CD packages without lyrics, generally. Nowadays a number of bands put the lyrics and other details on a website, and only a basic set of info on the paper. That seems wise, in both spreading information and financially.

As for downloads vs. CDs, my personal preference is for CDs. I'm a recording engineer and I really distrust mp3s, tho they're getting better, but downloaded mp3s are now the way of the world. Ya pays yer money, ya takes yer choice.

stv

[chip]

If the bands posted the lyrics on their websites that would be great but so far I haven't found very many that do. For $15 I want the lyrics....

[Jim Broyles]

Since when are artists required to provide lyrics? I couldn't believe my eyes when I read this thread. It was always a bonus when we got the lyrics included with a record in my day. I thought we were paying for the music when we bought a CD. As to having the time to copy lyrics - this probably isn't a big concern to the artist.

[Avi Ziv]

It's just a matter of time before the booklets/art/lyrics appear in iTunes. The technology is there and U2 is using it already.

Avi

[JEStanek]

So is Grisman. You can print his inserts when you download from his site.

Frankly, Skaggs' last CD didn't have any of the lyrics and I was ticked! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

Actually one of my favorite artists to try and play along with has gotten into publishing the lyrics and chords for his tunes, granted many of his songs come from Rise Up Singing, but Dan Zanes wants us to own the music too and play with our families.

I don't even keep the Jewel cases anymore and the insert gets filed away after about a week or so. So many websites have lyrics to songs I don't feel they're required in the CDs I buy. My peeve is that the CD itself have a means of identifying it so I can refile it when I'm done. Every now and again I get a CD that's seemingly blank, all white or abstract art work and no words on it.

I still buy CDs but the iPod has changed who I listen.

Jamie

[chip]

I agree that the artists aren't required to provide the lyrics but it's a nice addition to marketing their songs. If the CD is compiled of mostly old standards, cover tunes, etc then sure you can find the lyrics easily on the web. Until downloads became available most of the CD's had alot of information included in the insert. Poetry should be heard and read...

[devilstone_the_bard]

Actually one of my favorite artists to try and play along with has gotten into publishing the lyrics and chords for his tunes, granted many of his songs come from Rise Up Singing, but Dan Zanes wants us to own the music too and play with our families.
I love the fact that I can pop the DVD or CD in from Dan Zanes and grab my uke or mando and strum along with him. My almost 2 year old thinks it's the bee's knees when I do that.

Most artist sites do publish the lyrics on their site. I don't think it's required, nor do I expect them to do it on the CD but when they do, it's a nice treat. I agree that iTunes will have something soon for this, even if it costs a little extra, I'd probably but the 'insert' on iTunes. I just hope they make it retro-active so I can get inserts for all the stuff I've already bought / downloaded.

Especially when it comes to indie or homegrown artists, if it saves them a lil $$$, I say skip the lyrics...