Since there still seems to be a lot of confusion about whether to use "Composer" or "Song Writer" for credits like "Title Theme By" or "Main Title Theme By" in TV series, I'd like to hear the forum's opinion.

We had a discussion and a poll (actually two) about a similar topic a couple of months ago (see here
and here), but since both of these polls dealt with a movie and neither had all three possible choices in the list of options, I think it's a good idea to settle this discussion for TV series in general.

To explain what I'm talking about, here are two screenshots:


Star Trek: The Next Generation


Six Feet Under


My personal opinion:

As I see it, "Title Theme By" should definitely be entered as "Song Writer", because the contribution rules clearly state that the "composer" credit is to be "used for the composer of the film's Original Score." Writing a them song is a one time job, therefore it makes no sense to enter the theme creator as "Composer" for each and every episode, especially not when somebody else is the actual composer for a particular episode. On the other hand, it wouldn't be correct to simply leave out this entry, because after all it is part of the episode credits, and this should be reflected in the profile.

Considering this, "Song Writer" is the only possibility that makes sense to me. I'm sure Skip and Co. will soon chime in and try to explain to us in 20+ posts that a song has to include words. I absolutely do not feel that way, in my opinion a "song" can very well be a melody only.

I'm looking forward to the forum's opinion, just one thing: Yes, I know that this discussion could be settled with changes in the Profiler itself (for example adding a "Theme By" credit). Since I don't think Ken is willing to implement changes here (at least not in the near future), suggestions should be left to the Feature Request forum. Let's determine this within the current Profiler status.

I think it depends.

If the theme song is instrumental then Composer.

If the theme song contains lyrics (singing) then Song Writer would apply.

Of course if there are two or more people credited for a theme song, and one does the music for the theme and another actually wrote it then Composer for the music composer and for those that wrote the lyrics for the theme gets the Song Writer credit.

Just my 2 cents.

if it has lyrics, then it should be songwriter

if it's instrumental, it should be composer.

whether it is used every episode does not qualify as a reason for identifying a composer's instrumental composition as a song.

krik

by the way, i didn't vote because the poll doesn't distinguish between a title theme that is an actual song, i.e. smallville, or an instrumental piece as the two cited.

We need to stop shoehorning credits into other categories.

"Theme" is not a current choice.  Leave it out.

Quoting T!M:

Quote:
1. The "composer" credit is to be "used for the composer of the film's Original Score." Nothing more, nothing less. The rules even name four possible credits ("Music by" et al) to identify these composers. In any case, this specifically rules out giving "composer" credits to the theme writer(s).

I agree. When people want to insert theme music into a role that says it's for the composer of the film's original score, it seems to me that they are seeing some hidden spoiler text that says "...and composers of theme songs" that I'm just not seeing there. 

Quote:

2. The "incorrect" column specifically says NOT to give "composer" credits to "Songs by Song/Music writers". This is where things get interesting.

Let split that up, shall we?

"Songs by Song writers"
"Songs by Music writers"

Surely we're all clear on what "songs by song writers" means, right? Original songs, written especially for the movie (or TV episode, for that matter). These get "song writer" credits, obviously. But what can the rules possibly mean by "Songs by Music writers"? Both the score and any original songs are already covered. There's nothing else left, so "Songs by Music writers" can only refer to instrumental pieces of music ("themes"). So it's right there: the rules call instrumental pieces of music "songs". "Songs by Music writers", that it, but still: "songs". While the rules explicitly say "songs by music writers" do not qualify for a "composer" credit, in that same fell swoop the rules DO declare such instrumental themes as "song". That means that we CAN credit them as "song writers".

I agree with this interpretation and have said it before.

I would recommend that Tigi redo the poll correctly and start over.

Skip

Quoting Srehtims:

Quote:
Since when is a song required to have words.

No idea, but, some people use that as the definition.  I may have been one of those people at one time or another, but I have since been re-educated. 

Quoting T!M:

Quote:
what can the rules possibly mean by "Songs by Music writers"?

The guys who write the melody and harmony of the song, as opposite to the lyrics, I guess.