If a person is a great songwriter but only a decent singer what should he pursue?

Question

What I mean is I write great songs but I'm not too confident about my singing. Should I stick with the songwriting or follow my dream of becoming a recording artist? Or do I become a songwriter first and then use my connections to become a total rockstar baby!! Help.

Answer 1

Who told you you write great songs? Find a collaborator who is a singer/songwriter.

Answer 2

Well if you truly are a great songwriter, you can make a KILLING in the music industry, that is if you can write hits! LOL. Ever heard of Diane Warren? Look her up sometime. Also, there are a lot of 80s one hit wonder singers who have been writing behind the scenes for current artists. A recent example is the lead singer of OneRepublic and half baked pop singer Jesse McCartney. Together they have lukewarm singing careers, but managed to write a worldwide hit together for Leona Lewis, called "Bleeding Love." Many people don't know two males wrote the song, LOL, but I'm sure they are getting paid from it big time. Guaranteed if either one of the guys had sung this song, it wouldn't have been as big a hit for either of them.

Answer 3

become a successful songwriter ?idk

Answer 4

go for both the writing and the singing and see which picks up first.  if your songs are picked up by major artists, that will help your singing career and if your singing takes off first, then artists will notice your songs.  going after both avenues will ensure you make loads of cash!

Answer 5

Firstly, you'll make more money as a songwriter!

Do you have any recording equipment to lay the songs down? There are plenty of singers who will happily do sessions for you - you just have to find the voice for what you think is right for your songs. Or form a band and get started!! What's stopping you? I think you should go for the band option.

Answer 6

I think you should continue writing songs, but if you really want to make it musically then you should try and push the singing. You can always fall back on the songwriters career later on.

Answer 7

There are songwriters out there who "supposedly" sing professionally that write much better than they sing (not all but most). Look at Pharrell. His singing and rapping isn't all that great, but he's still making a killing. That department doesn't really matter in the pop or mainstream world (which I think is a little unfortunate). So you could very well become a successful singer if your songwriting skills are strong. Not to say I would suggest going this route, but can you make money? SURE! Will you grow to be as great as Stevie and Prince who do both well and be AS successful with mediocre singing skills? No. But you can make this change.

However, to make a stronger case, go and get professional voice lessons. A weak singer can grow into a great one. I see it all the time. Confidence comes with developing skills much of the time. If you feel more connected with how you are singing, you will naturally become a better vocalist.

I would do both. Get your work out there, and in the meantime develop your vocals. May artists develop and grow vocally before their fan base, and there is nothing wrong with that. Pursue your dreams if you have it in you.  

Answer 8

A lot of that really depends on the style that you tend to write.  You could pair up with a singer and work as a team.  On the other hand, you could also take some vocal lessons.  With the right training, just about anyone can sing decently, thought there are exceptions.  Also, ask yourself if you want the spotlight, or are you satisfied just getting your music out there?