When it comes to music, it's crucial to understand the distinction between a performer and a songwriter. A performer is the individual or group who sings or plays the music, while the songwriter is the person(s) responsible for crafting the lyrics and melody.
For example, let's consider the song "Drunk In Love". Ed Sheeran is considered the performer when he performs his version of the song. In contrast, Beyonce is the songwriter, as she is the one who wrote the lyrics and melody.
It's noteworthy that performers and songwriters have separate rights and royalty streams. Songwriters earn royalties from the use of their compositions, while performers earn royalties for their performance of the song. This means that Beyonce would receive royalties for using her composition in Ed Sheeran's rendition of "Drunk In Love," and Ed Sheeran would receive royalties for his song performance.
Overall, understanding the distinction between performers and songwriters is essential for anyone involved in the music industry, as it impacts the income and rights of each party involved.
