The hit song “Timber” performed by Kesha and Pit Bull has been on the Billboard top 100 charts for 21 weeks peaking at number one. The song was released in October of 2013 and has been a wild success. The kind of success that isn’t shared by many singles released by big name artists. We’re talking close to 200 million YouTube views, over a million downloads, live performances of the song on the AMAs, Good Morning America, and more. Without question, the song by itself has put hundreds of thousands of dollars in the pockets of Kesha, Pit Bull, and its producers. But what about Paul Harrington……..
According to Business Insider, Paul Harrington, who is responsible for the harmonica on the track, was paid a flat fee of $1,000 for his work. That’s a $1,000 flat fee with no royalties for a chart-topping mega-hit that will generate millions of dollars on its own. In a recent interview with Dallas Morning News’ Michael Corcoran Harrington said:
“When I heard the finished track, I was knocked out,” said Harrington. “Boy, did they turn me up loud.”
Clearly, Harrington wasn’t expected to be such a huge part of the song. He’s also not bitter about his meager fee for his work. Harrington is optimistic that the song’s success will open up opportunities for him in the future.
“Timber” features Kesha and Pit Bull singing and rapping over a melody ripped from a 70’s song created by the harmonica player from the band War entitled, “San Francisco Bay”. Once again, it’s another case of the rich get richer and the harmonica player gets well… not much.
Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images
