Song Overview and Core Facts
Kodachrome is a song by Paul Simon, released in 1973 as part of the album There Goes Rhymin' Simon. The track was written by Paul Simon and produced by Roy Halee. It was released under Columbia Records, a label owned by Sony Music Entertainment. The song's title references the Kodak Kodachrome film brand, which led to a legal settlement with Kodak over the use of the name. The song became one of Paul Simon's most recognized solo works and remains a staple of classic rock and soft rock radio formats.
In terms of structure, Kodachrome runs approximately 3 minutes and 32 seconds and is written in a folk-rock style with a prominent melody. The song reached number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States and charted in multiple countries, including the United Kingdom and Canada. It was certified Gold by the RIAA for sales exceeding 500,000 units in the U.S. The composition is credited to Paul Simon, and the publishing rights are administered by Paul Simon's music publishing entity, with sub-publishing handled by Sony Music Publishing.
Streaming Performance and Royalty Data
Kodachrome continues to generate streaming royalties on major digital platforms. On Spotify, the track has accumulated over 100 million streams as of the latest public data available. On Apple Music, the song is available in the streaming catalog and contributes to Paul Simon's digital royalty earnings. These streaming numbers are tracked by services such as Luminate, formerly Nielsen Music, which provides the data behind Billboard chart rankings. The song's ongoing performance on these platforms is part of Paul Simon's broader catalog revenue managed through his label and publishing deals.
Royalty payments for Kodachrome are distributed among the rights holders, which include the songwriter, the publisher, and the label. Mechanical royalties from streaming are collected by entities such as the Harry Fox Agency in the U.S. and by international collecting societies like PRS for Music in the UK. Performance royalties are collected when the song is played on terrestrial radio, satellite radio, and interactive streaming services. The specific split between Paul Simon and his publishers is not publicly disclosed, but standard industry practice for a songwriter of his stature typically involves a 50/50 or similar split with the publishing entity.
Ownership, Licensing, and Catalog Value
The master recording of Kodachrome is owned by Columbia Records, which is part of the Sony Music Entertainment portfolio. Paul Simon's publishing rights for the song are held by his publishing company, with administration likely handled by Sony Music Publishing or a designated sub-publisher. This structure is common for major artists signed to major labels during the 1970s, where the label retains master rights and the songwriter retains publishing, often with a co-publishing or administration deal. The catalog value of Paul Simon's work, including Kodachrome, is part of the broader music intellectual property market that includes sync licensing for film, television, and advertising.
For investors and those analyzing the music industry as an alternative asset class, songs like Kodachrome represent a tangible income-producing intellectual property. The song's enduring popularity and continued streaming activity contribute to a stable royalty stream. Public information about Paul Simon's catalog transactions is limited, but the broader market for music royalties has seen significant activity from companies that acquire and manage music rights portfolios. Information on royalty investing and music catalog valuations can be found on financial platforms and regulatory filings, such as those tracked by the SEC.