What are words for, when no one listens anymore? Saving the music industry, thanks. That's Lyric Culture's business plan. But will it work? The numbers say no.
"My goal is to save the music business," owner Hanna Schmieder told the Associated Press. "This is about generating new revenue streams for musicians."
How does she plan on doing it? By printing up designer shirts, jeans, jackets and more emblazoned with popular song lyrics, selling them at stores large and small, and then handing out a cut to the authors. Schmeider and Lyric Culture have deals in place with most of the majors, including labels that own lyrics of songs by the Beatles, Aretha Franklin, Johnny Cash and more, and she's placed her goods in big-top shops like Macy's.
But the swan song remains the same, pardon the paraphrase.
this audio or video is no longer availableAccording to the AP, Lyric Culture's wares sell in the range of $20-$600, but authors only see royalties of $.50-$20. Now, I'm no mathematician, but it's obvious that Lyric Culture is going to have to sell warehouses of "Can't Buy Me Love" T-shirts – o' sweet irony! – to keep lyricists from going hungry. Single-digit percentage royalties are probably not going to save anyone, especially a music industry scared to death of downloads.
Which is to say, the past, present and future of music.
Photo: AP/Damian Dovarganes
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