I do not want and will not take a royalty on any record I…
“I do not want and will not take a royalty on any record I record. I think paying a royalty to a producer or engineer is ethically indefensible. The band write the songs. The band play the music. It's the band's fans who buy the records. The band is responsible for whether it's a great record or a horrible record. Royalties belong to the band. I would like to be paid like a plumber. I do the job and you pay me what it's worth.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Albini argues that royalties should go to the creators—the band—rather than producers or engineers, likening payment to a trade like plumbing.
In simple terms: Royalties belong to the band, not producers.
Key Takeaway
Pay musicians directly for their work.
Themes
fairness
artist rights
industry ethics
Mood
critical
analytical
Type
industry
philosophical
When to use this quote
- record label contracts
- studio sessions
- indie music production
- royalty negotiations
Key Concepts
intellectual property
music economics
Questions to Reflect On
- Should producers ever receive royalties?
- How to balance fair pay for all contributors?
A Different Perspective
May oversimplify complex production contributions.