A good writing session can move fast. You may finish a chorus, record a demo and start planning the release in one day. Before everyone leaves, take ten minutes to complete a songwriter split sheet. It records who wrote the song and what share each person owns.
This simple step can prevent confused credits and hard talks later. It also gives you the details needed when you register the song. This guide is general information for UK independent artists. Get legal advice if the song, deal or disagreement is complex.
What is a songwriter split sheet?
A songwriter split sheet is a short written record made by the people who created a song. It lists the song title, each writer, their contact and membership details, their role and the percentage they own. Everyone checks the same information and signs the record.
The Musicians' Union has a Song Share Agreement that records the co-writers, song names, shares and whether each share covers words, music or both. The Ivors Academy also advises writers to collect this information during the session, before memories and expectations change.
Know what the split covers
The split sheet normally covers the musical work, meaning the music and lyrics. It does not automatically decide who owns the finished sound recording, often called the master. Those are different rights and may involve different people.
For example, two people might write the song while one artist pays for and owns the recording. A session musician might perform on the master without owning part of the song. PPL asks recording rightsholders for ownership information and a full performer line-up when a recording is registered. Keep that recording information in a separate record.
1. Add the song and session details
Start with the working title, even if it may change. Add the date and place of the writing session. If the title changes later, keep the old title in your notes so everyone can match the agreement to the correct demo.
Write down whether the session created one song or several songs. Use a separate split sheet for each song. This is clearer than placing a whole writing day on one page when different people worked on different tracks.
2. Record every writer's correct details
Add each writer's legal name, artist name if different, email address and phone number. Ask for their IPI or CAE number, collecting society and publisher details where they have them. PRS explains that the IPI or CAE number links a member to their registered works.
Do not guess a spelling or membership number. Ask each person to check their own line. A writer who is not yet a member can still be named on the split sheet. They may need to join the right collection society before they can add or collect their share through that system.
3. Describe each person's contribution
Mark whether each person contributed lyrics, music or both. You can also note useful details such as melody, chords or topline. These notes do not choose the percentage for you, but they help everyone remember what happened in the room.
A producer is not always a songwriter. Production work may be separate from writing music or lyrics. Talk about this during the session. If a producer also helped create the melody, chords or words and everyone agrees that this is songwriting, record the agreed share clearly.
4. Agree percentages together
There is no single split that fits every session. Some co-writers choose equal shares. Others agree percentages based on contribution or use a band rule set before writing starts. The important point is that every writer understands and accepts the same numbers.
Make sure the shares total 100 percent. Do not leave a share marked as to be decided when you start registration or release work. PRS records can be delayed or disputed when writer claims are missing or the registered shares do not add up correctly.
5. Note samples and older material
Record any sample, interpolation, borrowed lyric or part of an older song used in the new work. Do not promise a share that you do not control. Permission and final ownership may need to be agreed with the original rightsholder before release.
If clearance is not complete, mark the song as not ready for release and get advice. Changing the split after artwork, distribution and registration have started can create mistakes across several systems.
6. Sign, date and share the same copy
Ask every writer to read the full sheet, sign it and date it. Give each person a copy. Save the signed file with the demo, lyrics and session notes in one folder. Use a clear filename that includes the song title and date.
A split sheet is a useful written record, but a complex project may need a fuller co-writing agreement. The Musicians' Union offers specimen agreements and warns that general templates do not replace advice for your exact situation.
7. Register the song with matching information
When the song is ready, register it using the names, IPI numbers and shares everyone approved. Do not enter a different split just because one writer is doing the admin. PRS says contributing band members should receive their correct shares and work records should be corrected when a writer is missing.
Keep the split sheet beside your music metadata checklist. The distributor needs correct writer and contributor details, while PRS or another collection society needs correct work ownership details. These systems have different jobs, but the names and facts should match.
Quick songwriter split sheet checklist
- Song title and any earlier working title.
- Session date and location.
- Every writer's legal name and contact details.
- Artist name, IPI or CAE number, society and publisher.
- Whether each person wrote words, music or both.
- Each agreed percentage, adding up to 100 percent.
- Any samples, interpolations or older material.
- Signatures and dates from every writer.
- One shared copy saved with the song files.
What if the writers cannot agree?
Do not rush the song out while ownership is unclear. Keep messages, drafts, demos and session notes. Ask everyone to set out their view calmly in writing. If you still cannot agree, speak to the Musicians' Union, a qualified music lawyer or another suitable adviser before registering or releasing the work.
The best time to discuss splits is while the session is still fresh and everyone is working well together. A clear songwriter split sheet protects the relationship as much as the song. It lets the team move on to recording, release planning and promotion with one agreed set of facts.
More help from The Hubb
Use The Hubb's music metadata checklist
Plan your next release over 4 weeks
Build a simple music press kit
Official guidance and templates
Musicians' Union Song Share Agreement
Musicians' Union copyright guidance for songwriters
The Ivors Academy writing session information checklist
