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# To Share or Not to Share Writing Credits
- URL: https://www.backstagecircle.com/to-share-or-not-to-share-writing-credits/
- Published: 2026-08-26T02:38:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-11-06T23:24:26.000Z
- Author: Din (aka F-105)
- Tags: Music, Advice

“The medium is the message” - Marshall McLuhan. In my open the “message” of music is that it connects people. Whether sung around campfires as hunters and gatherers or seeing your favourite act in an arena. Unlike most other mediums when in a shared space it’s unavoidable – i.e., you can write a poem or display a work of art, but it takes the individual to give it attention. With music, it bursts out of instruments and/or speakers and the sound waves hit everyone’s ears whether they like it or not. Therefore, it’s a medium which connects all people in a space.  
  
Logically, music seems to be a medium that connects people. I find that my music is always stronger when collaborating – the connection of musicians playing together creates a spark that magically ignites the engine of exciting music! When I feel connection to others with music, I feel better about life. I feel less alone.  
  
For solo musicians this is easy – you simply find collaborators and share writing percentages as you see fit. The benefits are obvious. The whole history of modern music is made of hit songs where artists collaborate with other artists, or songwriting specialists – whose names you never hear but are behind the scenes everywhere. For ex., Liz Rose, a childhood friend of Taylor Swift, has co-written 17 Swift songs, including the hit “You Belong to Me.” Whatever helps get your song published, on the radio, making fans and a living is a win win.  
  
With bands it’s trickier. The Beatles songwriting duo of John Lennon/Paul McCarney did not share credits with the other tw0 members, George Harrison and Ringo Star. This led to resentment that Paul McCartney has mentioned being a primary reason for their breakup. Alternatively, long running bands like U2 and The Tragically Hip share songwriting equally – the idea being that it’s wise to make sure everyone is incentivized to keep slugging it out with all the sacrifices and hardships that come with touring and recording. In my opinion, this is obviously the main reason why those two bands were able to stick together their entire careers, without and member changes.  
  
Recently, my project F-105 (both a solo and band project) has decided to share writing credits on songs we develop together. Even though I write the chords, melodies and lyrics, it became obvious to me that their contributions are what gave the songs (On F-105 II: Side A) the extra magic that people love. At a recent show at The Legendary Horseshoe Tavern in Toronto a friend in the music industry saw us for the first time and said we “sound like the future.” I realized then that this collective magic was something I nurture with the utmost respect. So I offered an appropriate percentage to the guys, based on what the level of commitment they can give. We are currently developing songs for the next album!

  
*F‑105 (Din Yalonen) is a mythpunk folk rocker from Toronto, weaving between electric alt‑rock and acoustic folk.*

[www.f105music.com](http://www.f105music.com/?ref=backstagecircle.com)