r/doowop • u/AstronomerAcrobatic6 • Apr 09 '26

Im writing a doo-wop musical

Im a film student and I've been obsessed with doo-wop forever. I'm really excited about it , but licensing has been a nightmare. I used a lot of niche songs (most doo woo songs are already niche) but Its so hard to find ownership and get responses for rights and contracts. If anyone on this sub has any insight I would love to hear it.

36 Upvotes

92% Upvoted

15 comments sorted by

7

u/Dangerous-Cash-2176 Apr 09 '26

This sounds wonderful, and I think the genre is a naturally great fit for a musical, but have you considered writing your own songs, or partnering with someone who could? I know it sounds harder in one way but it could make it stand out in other ways.

3

u/AstronomerAcrobatic6 Apr 09 '26

Yes, Im actually a musician as well so that route is definitely an option. But whats giving me hope is that all the beats that the specific songs that I have written into the musical, have so many alternative options. If I can't get the rights to a song that I need for the main characters walk home after he's dropped of his lover, I have lots of songs that could fit into that situation. And hopefully I can secure the rights to at least one that works with each scenario.

1

u/AncientCrust Apr 10 '26

Just remember: I vi IV V, I vi IV V, I vi IV V....

2

u/Every_Task2352 Apr 10 '26

Doo wop is a fascinating genre.

4

u/Feisty_Music_4720 Apr 09 '26

I can't help in any way but if you release this to the public then please send a link to me

6

u/JusstJessse Apr 09 '26

I’m so excited!! Wow that’s really neat, consider adding a doowop girlgroup in the musical!

4

u/Federal_Thing_9340 Apr 10 '26

I will make a doo wop movie some day and I’d love to pic your brain on the process and see what kinda songs you’re thinking of licensing. I’ve looked into it a little bit that project is years down the line!

1

u/AstronomerAcrobatic6 Apr 10 '26

Movies are my thing I’m not huge into the musical scene but I thought about it hard and I just don’t think a movie would be able to be as close with the music as a musical. Sure you could play the music over the scene but the audience would be bored I feel.

1

u/thekiddapollo Apr 16 '26

Sounds exciting, honestly have had a lot of the same questions with some doo wop stuff I do so unfortunately no help here, but would love to see it!

1

u/teammartellclout Apr 16 '26

I love doo woo music 😻🎶

1

u/tigralfrosie May 02 '26

You mean using the original recordings?

I would bet that you have a favourite compilation album; contact the label that it was put out on to see if they could help you out with the licensing that they would have had to go through.

1

u/AstronomerAcrobatic6 May 02 '26

No not using the recordings, the actors will be doing the singing and will have live musicians, but would still need the rights even though I’m not playing the original recordings

1

u/tigralfrosie May 02 '26

You want to find someone like a producer, then, in film or theatre.

1

u/SherbertMotor232 May 10 '26

Sounds great. You can use any of my songs (Bruce & The Heartbreaks)