Thats kinda why I question it. I know these pop stars of today are created, helped, wrote for, and such. But no way does it take 6 people to write that. I think the real message is the guy who is singing it is part of the band who wrote it. And it is just so much better than that stupid shit.
I used to engineer alot of hip hop and R&B records back in the 90s
Here's how this works for R&B, Hip Hop, and some Pop
Producer/Writer or several combinations therof record principle vocal tracks with an artist with basic audio tracks, samples and maybe a hook etc -during this process many writers may contribute to even the slightest nuance up to a hook or transition or phrasing or new vox -usually the writers, associate producers, and engineers are cut in on fractions of points to be paid based on later sales (especially on smaller and Independent labels) -So often many minor people are working for free up front (i did that a lot in hopes of a larger point share and get lucky on a big seller)
I have a friend who basically moved mics and made coffee as an intern at Criteria Studios in Miami in the 1970s and was gifted fractions of a point on what would later be one of the best selling albums of all time -he's been getting a 5 figure check every year for 30 something years for essentially rolling joints, ordering pizza, and moving mic stands as a teenager -but that is a very non typical story
Anyways -Then those tracks are mailed (well in the 90s they were) -now I FTP them or use Sugar Sync or Media fire and transfer the music tracks and vox tracks to several hip hop and R&B producers around the world. -whoever they choose to work with.
Then those producers develop their own mixes and additions of that song and deliver it back in several complete alternates or perhaps just some sweet hook they think will seal the deal. From their the executive or main original producer selects which versions and creative contributions make the cut as the single or album cut or often enough edit many of the other versions together -or revisit the session again entirely with all of the new ideas and start over with a new swell of creativity
Point is you could hear a really basic pop song and dozens of people could have had their hands on it and get a writing, musician, or production credit.
In fact -the more people who touch it likely means the simpler and shittier it will be because the original vision has been co-opted into something generic. If the original Artist and Producer were talented and creative enough to generate songs enough to keep their artists' working -they wouldn't give up share -but the music industry is a business that has to churn out a tremendous amount of music which is easier to do as a collaboration and often has a much higher chance of being popular with the lowest common denominator type music fan who really wants a beat, a hook, and something to hum along to.
Sorry TMI -I know.
I feel like this is a pop culture detail that even I should have known about.
