Songwriter’s Guide to Classic “Hit” Writing…

First of all let us say that unlike many of today’s record/production, publishing, and movie companies, writers here at NewOldies.com, are held in the highest regard because for the most part, we ourselves come from a writing/ production/ artist background. Therefore we understand the need for, and value of commercial hit songs. With that said...please don’t waste our time or yours by submitting an unprofessional song! All songs, masters and artist submissions are strictly for professionals.

If you are a novice, the very best advice we can give you is study the oldies, see how they were put together (melody, lyric, and production). Join a local song-writing organization if possible and start co-writing with more experienced writers. Keep a “hook book” or portable recorder and always be sure to capture your thoughts as quickly as possible (some of the best ideas have been lost simply because they weren’t written down or recorded immediately). Take some classes on music/lyric composition and learn the art of “formula meets inspiration” then
give us a shot.

Attention veteran songwriters: We’d love to be blown away by one of your tunes, so don’t blow your chance by jumping the gun! Remember we want you to succeed; after all... it’s a good thing for us as well as you when we find a hit song. So make sure to go about it the right way from the start. If you send us a poorly crafted or typically average song, we will be less likely to take your next effort seriously. There are absolutely no-politics here! We don’t care if you have a track record, what you look like, or who you know...All that we are looking for are
brand new unreleased (as in never before commercially released or heard by the public) retro style hits that fit within the standard boundaries of the 40’s through the 80’s. Please note that we will not even consider nasty, vulgar or demeaning material. With that said, go ahead and knock us out...we dare ya! And just so you know...we pay the songwriter/s and publisher/s a full 7.5¢ (seven and one half cents) each per legal (as in non-pirated) download from the NewOldies.com website. Good luck...

Tips for submitting songs and “radio ready” masters:

1. If you are a songwriter, never send a song that has not been copyrighted! Never send a song that is being held (“on hold”) by any recording artist, record company, publisher, entity or under contractual obligation (written or verbal) of any kind. Only submit one song at a time and never send us your only copy as NewOldies.com does not return submissions. You may either email a standard Mp3 file to: submissions@newoldies.com or snail mail us a CD (if you choose this method, just make sure to package it with the proper amount of padding and always have it marked or stamped fragile). Please be sure to include all relevant contact information as well.
2. It is always to the songwriter’s advantage to present a polished demo and complete lyric sheet. This however, can often prove to be an expensive proposition. It is for this reason that we do accept simple guitar or piano vocal demos (lyric sheet applies here as well).
3. If your song happens to make the cut, in order to be eligible to become one of our New Oldies™, the publishing must be available to cover our production/studio costs (this is only in the case when NewOldies.com has to provide the artist and actually produce the radio ready master at its own expense). On the other hand, if you already have in your possession, or can produce a radio ready master to our liking, then the publishing is of no consequence. As a matter of fact we prefer receiving the finished product, but living in the real world here in Nashville, we know only too well that there are very few writers who excel in record production as well. If you are one of the few...Bring it on!
4. If you are a writer/producer who fully understands the intricacies of recording and song production and are going for a “radio ready” master, always stay true to the instrumentation of the specific “musical era” and genre that you are trying to emulate. We are well aware of the expense of using live musicians and studio costs verses the endless possibilities of modern sequencing and computer generated software programs. The limitations however, remain in the capabilities of the user/programmer. All we’re saying is, “It’s real easy to sound cheesy” so try to employ the “Real McCoy” whenever possible. Remember, the objective is to recapture the style and magic of whatever specific era and genre you are targeting by the following three factors:
   
   * Articulating a well crafted song.
   * Recording an outstanding and believable artist performance.
   * Presenting both, the song and vocal in an authentically accurate production that captures the magic and vibe of a particular era and genre.
5. If you already own an existing "radio ready master recording" that complies with the types of recordings that we are currently looking for (as noted by a red asterisk* in the “Classic Hit List” below) simply email us an mp3 to: submissions@newoldies.com including a brief description of the recording’s history (how it came to be recorded and produced in the first place) as well as its current legal status (contractual obligation). Make sure to list all songwriter/s, publisher/s, recording artist/s and producer/s that are involved as well as any co-owners of the master whenever applicable. It should be known that under no circumstances will we promote, distribute or post a master recording or song that is being held (“on hold”) by any recording artist, record company, publisher, entity or under contractual obligation (written or verbal) of any kind. In the event your "radio ready master Recording" meets our qualifications (legally & artistically) and is posted on the NewOldies.com website, you would be paid a royalty of 20¢ (twenty cents) each time the specific aforementioned "radio ready master recording" is legally purchased directly from the NewOldies.com website. In this scenario we would pay all relevant songwriter/s, publisher/s, artist/s, and producer/s royalties associated with said “radio ready master recording.” All royalties are to be paid quarterly and accurately. Note: NewOldies.com does not pay royalties on any kind of pirated or illegally distributed NewOldies.com recordings, products or related paraphernalia.
   
   Please Note: Whether you are a songwriter, artist, producer or owner of an already existing radio ready master... Check out the “Classic Hit List” below which will give you an up to date look at just what kind of material and artistry we are currently looking for.

Tips for submitting vocal demos if you would like
to become a NewOldies™ artist:

• First of all, in an effort to keep you from wasting your time as well as ours, we would like to make it perfectly clear that we do not and will not consider submissions from anyone who is currently under a contractual obligation of any kind. We will be more than happy to listen once your contract has expired and you are no longer obligated.
• A vocal accompanied by piano, synth or guitar is fine. You can even sing acappella if you like. Please note: (an email of a standard mp3 file sent to: submissions@newoldies.com is the best way to send your recording). If
  you are going to snail mail us a CD, never send us your only copy! Especially if it’s a radio-ready master! Take time to package it well so that your CD won’t be damaged in transit. (Note: Please remember that due to the volume of vocal submissions we receive, we can not and do not return recordings or materials of any kind!)
• Be sure to include three different vocal performances in various tempos (ballad, medium and fast). Remember to choose something that clearly shows off your particular style, talent and vocal range (basically, show us what you do best). In other words don’t try and be someone or something you’re not (It’s always best to be yourself).
• It is not necessary to sing entire songs unless you want to because a decision is usually made by the end of the first chorus or bridge.
• There is no need to send a photo with your vocal demo. If we like what we hear, we will contact you, at which time we will ask for a photo. We choose recording artists based on the merit of their vocal talent, not their appearance.
• In the event you become a NewOldiesTM artist you will be paid an agreed upon fee at the end of the recording session. As an artist you will additionally receive a generous 15¢ (fifteen cents) royalty per legal (as in non-pirated) download from the NewOldies.com website. Royalties are paid quarterly and accurately.

Classic Hit List:

Please note that the songs listed below are meant to be used as a guideline only. We do not in any way encourage plagiarism, so be creative, but be Unique!

*The red stars below mean that we are currently looking for “radio ready Masters” as well as recording artists and songs in the style of these particular classics:

• Bryan Adams
  *Run To You
  (Everything I Do) I Do It For You
  *Summer Of '69
• Herb Alpert
  This Guy's In Love
• Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass
  Taste Of Honey
  Lonely Bull (El Solo Toro)
• Louis “Satchmo” Armstrong
  What A Wonderful World
• The Beach Boys
  *Wouldn't It Be Nice
  Help Me Rhonda
  Surfer girl
• The Beatles
  *From Me to You
  I Feel Fine
  In My Life
  If I Fell
  Any Time At All
  You Can't Do That
  Here Comes The Sun
• The Bee Gees
  *How Deep Is Your Love
• Pat Benatar
  *Hit Me With Your Best Shot
• Brook Benton
  *Rainy Night In Georgia
  It's Just A Matter Of Time
  The Boll Weevil Song
• Bon Jovi
  *Livin' On A Prayer
  It's My Life
• Booker T. & The MG's
  *Green Onions
• Bread
  Make It With You
• Peabo Bryson
  If Ever You're In My Arms Again
• Buffalo Springfield
  For What It's Worth
• Jimmy Buffett
  Margaritaville
  *Changes In Latitude
• The Byrds
  *Turn! Turn! Turn! (To everything There is a season)
  Mr. Tambourine Man
• Glen Campbell
  By The Time I Get To Phoenix
  Rhinestone Cowboy
  Wichita Lineman
  Gentle On My Mind
  Galveston
• Carl Carlton
  Everlasting Love
• The Cars
  Drive
  You Might Think
• Mel Carter
  *Hold Me Thrill Me
• The Cascades
  *Rhythm Of The Rain
• Chad & Jeremy
  *Summer Song
• Ray Charles
  *I Can't Stop Loving You
  Hit The Road Jack
  Crying Time
  Georgia On My Mind
• The Chiffons
  One Fine Day
  He's So Fine
• Petula Clark
  *Down Town
  Don't Sleep In The Subway
• Cornelius Brothers And Sister Rose
  Too Late To Turn Back Now
• Creedence Clearwater Revival
  *Have You Ever Seen the Rain
  *Who'll Stop The Rain
• The Dave Clark Five
  Because
• Paul Davis
  I Go Crazy
• Skeeter Davis
  *The End Of The World
• Jimmy Dean
  Big Bad John
• Dire Straits
  *Sultans Of Swing
• The Doobie Brothers
  *China Grove
  Listen To The Music
• The Eagles
  Take It Easy
  Desperado
  Take It To The Limit
• Edison Lighthouse
  *Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes)
• Electric Light Orchestra
  Telephone Line
  *Livin' Thing
  Can't Get It Out Of My Head
  Evil Woman
• Elvis
  *Don't Be Cruel
  Jail House Rock
  *I Can't Help Falling In Love
  *His Latest Flame
  All Shook Up
• Betty Everett
  The Shoop Shoop Song (It's In His Kiss)
• The Everly Brothers
  *All I Have To Do Is Dream
  Bye Bye Love
  ('Til) I Kissed you
  Let It Be Me
• Fleetwood Mac
  Hypnotized
  Don't Stop
  You Make Lovin' fun
• Dan Fogelberg
  Leader of The Band
  Same Old Lang Syne
• Foreigner
  *Waiting For A Girl Like You
  *Head Games
  *Urgent
  I Want To Know What Love Is
• The Four Seasons
  *Rag Doll
• The Four Tops
  *Baby I Need Your Loving
  *Reach Out (I'll Be There)
  *I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch)
  It's The Same Old Song
• Aretha Franklin
  *R.E.S.P.E.C.T.
  Chain Of Fools
  Freeway Of Love
• Gary Lewis & The Playboys
  *Save Your Heart For Me
  This Diamond Ring
• Gerry And The Pacemakers
  Don't Let The Sun Catch You Crying
• Lesley Gore
  *It's My Party
• The Guess Who
  These Eyes
• Bill Haley & His Comets
  *Rock Around The Clock
  *Shake Rattle & Roll
• Richard Harris
  Macarthur's Park
• Heart
  Crazy On You
• Herman's Hermits
  *I'm Into Something Good
  *There's A Kind Of Hush (All Over The World)
• Billy Joel
  Just The Way You Are
  Piano Man
• Elton John
  *Your Song
  Candle In The Wind
  Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
  Crocodile Rock
  Saturday Night's All Right For Fighting
• Journey
  *Don't Stop Believin'
  *Open Arms
• Kc & The Sunshine Band
  That's The Way (I Like It)
• The Kinks
  *You Really Got Me
  *All Day And All Of The Night
  Tired Of Waiting for you
• Steve Lawrence
  Go Away Little Girl
• Bob Lind
  Elusive Butterfly
• Huey Lewis And The News
  *Do You Believe In Love
  If This Is It
  *The Heart Of Rock & Roll
• Little Anthony And The Imperials
  *Goin' Out Of My Head
  Take Me Back
  Hurt So Bad
• Looking Glass
  Brandy (You're A Fine Girl)
• The Loving Spoonful
  Do You Believe In Magic
  *You Didn't Have To Be So Nice
• Henry Mancini
  Moon River
• Dean Martin
  Everybody Loves Somebody
• The Mamas And The Papas
  *California Dreamin'
  Monday, Monday
• Don Mclean
  American Pie
  Vincent
• The Moody Blues
  Your Wildest Dreams
  Tuesday Afternoon (Forever Afternoon)
  Go Now
• Eddie Money
  Baby Hold On
  Take Me Home Tonight
• Van Morrison
  Domino
• Ricky Nelson
  Travelin' Man
• Roy Orbison
  *Pretty Woman
  You Got It
  *Only The Lonely
• Alan Parsons
  Time
  Don't Answer Me
  Eye In The Sky
• Wilson Pickett
  In The Midnight Hour
  *Funky Broadway
  634-5789 (Soulsville, U.S.A.)
• Gene Pitney
  Town Without Pity
  Only Love Can Break A Heart
  It Hurts To Be In Love
• The Pointer Sisters
  Slow Hand
• The Police
  Every Breath You Take
• Procol Harum
  *A Whiter Shade Of Pale
• Eddie Rabbitt
  Step By Step
• Lou Rawls
  You'll Never Find Another Love Like Mine
• Charlie Rich
  Behind Closed Doors
• The Righteous Brothers
  *You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling
  *Unchained Melody
• Johnny Rivers
  Poor Side Of Town
  *Secret Agent Man
• Jimmy Ruffin
  What Becomes Of The Broken-Hearted
• Sam And Dave
  *Soul Man
  Hold On! I'm Comin'
• Santana
  Evil Ways
  Oye Como Va
• Bob Seger
  Old Time Rock And Roll
  Against The Wind
• The Shirelles
  Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow
• Carly Simon
  You're So Vain
• Frank Sinatra
  *All The Way
  It Was A Very Good Year
  *I've Got You Under My Skin
  *New York, New York
  *My Kind Of Town
• Percy Sledge
  When A Man Loves A Woman
• David Soul
  Don't Give Up On Us Baby
• Spencer Davis Group
  Gimme Some Lovin'
  I'm A Man
• The Spinners
  *One Of A Kind (Love Affair)
  Working My Way Back To You
• Dusty Springfield
  *I Only Want To Be With You
  You Don't Have To Say You Love Me
• Bruce Springsteen
  Born To Run
• Starship
  *Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now
• Steely Dan
  *Do It Again
• Steppenwolf
  Born To Be Wild
  *Magic Carpet Ride
• Rod Stewart
  *Some Guys Have All The Luck
  Rhythm Of My Heart
• Stray Cats
  *Rock This Town
• The Stylistics
  Betcha By Golly Wow
  I'm Stone In Love With You
• James Taylor
  Fire And Rain
• The Temptations
  Ain't To Proud To Beg
• Tommy James And The Shondells
  Mony Mony
• Tony Orlando and Dawn
  He Don't Love You (Like I Love You)
  Tie a Yellow Ribbon 'Round The Old Oak Tree
• Toto
  Africa
  Rosanna
  Dune (Desert Theme)
• B.J. Thomas
  I Just Can't Help Believin'
  Hooked On A Feeling
  What Ever Happened To Old Fashioned Love
  Rain Drops Keep Fallin' On My Head
• The Turtles
  *Happy Together
• Bonnie Tyler
  It's A Heartache
• Van Halen
  Jump
• Dionne Warwick
  Don't Make Me Over
  Walk On By
  Say A Little Prayer
  Do You Know The Way San Jose'
• Barry White
  Can't Get Enough Of Your Love, Babe
  You're The First, The Last, My Everything
• The Who
  *I Can't Explain
• Ann Wilson & Mike Reno
  Almost Paradise
  
• Dennis Yost & The Classics lV
  Traces Of Love
  Spooky
• Paul Young
  Every Time You Go Away
• The Zombies
  *Time Of The Season
  *She's Not There
• ZZ Top
  Gimme All Your Lovin'
  

  
  (Instrumentals)
  Please Note:
  We are also currently looking for instrumental hits in the vein of *“Last Date” by Floyd Cramer,
  *“Walk Don’t Run” and *“Slaughter on Tenth Avenue” by The Ventures, *“Love is Blue” by Paul Mauriat,
  *“Peter Gunn” (the Duane Eddy version) by Henry Mancini, *“Love’s Theme” by Barry White and the Love Unimited Orchestra, *“Green Onions” by Booker T. & the M.G. s’, *Theme from “A Summer Place” by Percy Faith, *“Classical Gas” by Mason Williams, *“Midnight Cowboy” (Theme) by John Barry,
  *“Taste Of Honey” by Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass.