The Richest Songs in the World

[jon]

Did anyone see this programme over the holiday? It profiled the top ten most high-earning (in royalties) songs ever - No 1 was "Happy Birthday", perhaps not surprisingly. The programme also gave an interesting insight into the tensions among artists, especially in groups, over royalties and who earns the money from a song. It was on BBC4 and should be available on iplayer until Friday this week.

[Lena & Harry Smith]

We watched it Jon and waiting in anticipation for the Number One, not even thinking of Happy Birthday and yes, not even thinking of what trials and tribulations occur with the making of them, and as you say, and most of all and not surprising to us... Royalties.

[mariana44]

I had not spotted that one-but it sounds interesting. i know in several quizzes I have done, with the question, of the most popular song, the answer is always " Happy Birthday"

[maureen & harry]

We enjoyed this program and must confess we were surprised by some of the ones included.

We were disappointed that Matt didn't get a mention regarding the song Yesterday as he was the one who took it into the charts although they did mention Tom Jones amongst others who had recorded it.

The program makers could do with some of our knowledgeable forum members to point them in the right direction.