Sharing royalties
 

A friend of mine said I have to share royalties with him because he put chords to a melody that I wrote - I couldn't figure out the chords - maybe a few but not all - he said 50/50 - I said no - it was my melody and my lyrics - he played the chords out on his keyboard - put a drum beat to it and some instrumentation - is this true? - I didn't think so - I thought of his part as a producer not "songwriter" - I mean a melody is going to have certain set chords anyway - it's not like he "created" them - Alan

That was nice of him to suggest 50/50. Sounds like he did about 75% of the work according to your description.

50/50 the profit would also mean 50/50 the expenses. If you're going to pay to get this song distributed online, let him know that he needs to invest the same amount of money you are. If he refuses, then let him know that by putting all your money into distribution, you are buying him out and that the proceeds will not go to him.
But chances are, you're going to make diddly squat and to worry about a songs financial gains before the song is even released, means you are probably making music for the wrong reason...
So... what's 50% of $0.00?

Also, if this song goes huge, and it's because the chords went perfectly with the melody and people can't get enough of it and you are extremely successful and a bigger than life superstar... Wouldn't you want to work with this guy in the future? Is it really worth fighting with a guy who specializes in the areas you lack because you feel you deserve more, and that your specialization is worth more than his specialization? Really think this one through my man.