It's TED Talks Daily. I'm your host, Elise Hugh. Today on the show, we have ABBA. But sadly,

or depending on your tastes, not so sadly, no ABBA music. Singer-songwriter Bjorn Olveyas

speaks at TEDxSSE in 2021 about the unintended consequences of today's music economy and what

that means for artists. In his thoughtful talk, he takes us through the pandemic's effects on live

music too and the ways to support the work of creators. I'd like to start with a quote, but it's very embarrassing because I don't know where it comes from.

But it's very well put, and it goes like this.

Copyright is designed not only to provide fairness for authors,

but also to enhance the quality of life within a society by promoting the progress of science, art and culture.

In other words, the concept of making it economically feasible for creators to create

is now globally recognized as a social imperative.

I have very few memories of writing lyrics to songs,

but there is a particular one from long ago that I do remember.

I was lying on my stomach on a bed in a small guest room

with a writing pad in front of me. In the master

bedroom next door, my then-wife, Agneta, was sleeping undisturbed. The music was playing in my head.

So no need for speakers, not even headphones.

A melody that still lacks words is virgin territory

upon which a lyricist must tread lightly.

Some of the time the final words on the page

are the result of hard work, deep thought,

and the intuition that a songwriter must learn to trust.

But sometimes extraordinary things happen.

...