The Arranger: The Invisible Composer in the Music Industry
- MR Music
- Apr 3
- 3 min read
The work of an arranger goes far beyond simply orchestrating a song. In many cases, they define the structure, create melodic lines that become unforgettable hooks, and even develop instrumental sections without which the song would lose its identity.
The Arranger: More Than Just an Orchestrator
Let’s be clear: Have you ever hummed a song’s riff before its lyrics? Those instrumental hooks that stick in your head—a trumpet intro, a saxophone solo, a mambo that makes you move—are rarely the creation of the main songwriter. Behind them is the arranger, the invisible architect of the music we love.
If a song is the sum of melody, harmony, and rhythm, and the arranger actively contributes to all these elements, why aren’t they recognized as co-authors when their input is crucial to the final identity of the work?
The problem is evident: The industry systematically denies them credit and royalties, even when their contributions define global hits. Below, with verified examples and irrefutable data, we expose this injustice.
The Arranger in Other Genres: A Model to Follow
While in salsa and other Latin genres the arranger remains invisible, in other music industries their contributions are recognized. In hip-hop, for example, producers and beatmakers are considered co-writers of a song because they create essential melodic and rhythmic structures. Why does Latin music continue applying outdated rules?
🔍 Arrangers: The Invisible Architects Behind the Hits
1. The Ghost Sample: "Hips Don’t Lie" (Shakira)
✅ The Facts:
Shakira’s global hit incorporates the trumpet riff from Amores Como el Nuestro (popularized by Jerry Rivera in 1992).
Who created it: Arrangers Cutto Soto and Ramón Sánchez designed that melodic line.
Who got the credit (and royalties): Only Omar Alfanno (the lyricist), according to BMI records.
The irony: The most recognizable element of the song—the one that made it viral!—was not the work of the credited composer. Soto and Sánchez don’t even appear in the credits.
📌 Source: BMI Repertoire, interview with Omar Alfanno (Billboard, 2006).
2. The Arranger Who Fought for Justice: Nile Rodgers in "Let’s Dance" (David Bowie)
✅ The Story:
Bowie brought an acoustic version of the song to Nile Rodgers.
The iconic funk guitar riff that defines the song was Rodgers’ idea.
Outcome: Rodgers negotiated and is now credited as a co-writer, receiving royalties.
📌 Source: Nile Rodgers’ autobiography (Le Freak), ASCAP.
3. The Forgotten Saxophone: "The Girl From Ipanema"
✅ The Details:
The unforgettable saxophone melody, as iconic as the vocal, was created by arranger Claus Ogerman.
Who received credit and royalties: Antônio Carlos Jobim and Vinicius de Moraes.
The recurring pattern: Ogerman is just one of thousands of arrangers whose work goes unrecognized.
📌 Source: The Brazilian Sound (book), BMI.
💰 Why We Need to Talk About This
Arrangers:
✅ Create 50% (or more) of what you love in a song. ✅ Rarely see a cent from streams, sync deals, or samples. ✅ Signed "work for hire" contracts that exclude them from future earnings.
📌 Harsh Reality: If Hips Don't Lie generated $10 million in royalties from the sample, Soto and Sánchez received $0.
✊ How Can We Change This?
🔹 Claim credit if you are an arranger: Include "co-composition" clauses if you contribute original melodies.
🔹 Educate your peers: Many don’t even know they can negotiate.
🔹 Demand transparency: Platforms like Spotify should display "arranged by" in song credits.
🔹 Join the movement: #CreditsForArrangers
Change Is Necessary and Possible
If we want a fairer industry that reflects reality, it’s time to update how songwriting credits are assigned. Some concrete proposals:
✅ Evaluate the melodic contribution of the arranger: If they contribute original melodic lines and new sections, they should be considered co-authors.
✅ Update composition contracts: Agreements should reflect the reality of the creative process rather than follow outdated rules.
✅ Learn from other industries: In film and hip-hop, credit models have evolved to better recognize collective authorship. It’s time for Latin music to do the same.
Music is a collective creation, and the talent and effort of all involved should be acknowledged. Simply praising an arranger’s creativity is not enough; recognition must translate into rights and tangible benefits.
🎶 For Reflection
Next time you hear an instrumental part that gives you chills, ask yourself: Who created it? Behind every hit, an arranger is waiting for justice.
📣 Do you know of other cases? Share them in the comments!
🔎 Verified Sources:
BMI Repertoire
ASCAP
NPR: Nile Rodgers
The Brazilian Sound (book)
▶️ Share this post to give visibility to the invisible creators.
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