INCLUDED IN THE DEAL ARE SOME OF THE ROCK BAND’S BIGGEST HITS
SUCH AS “FISHERMAN’S BLUES” “THIS IS THE SEA”, “HOW LONG WILL I LOVE YOU”
& “THE WHOLE OF THE MOON”
In an agreement finalized today, Primary Wave Music has acquired a stake in the music publishing catalog of singer, songwriter, and musician Mike Scott of the Waterboys. Terms of the comprehensive deal include a share in all publishing rights and income streams, as well as master rights and income streams owned by Scott. Included in the deal are a number of Scott’s biggest hits for the band including “Fisherman’s Blues” and “This Is the Sea,” as well as their most well-known song, “Whole of the Moon.” Considered a classic of the band’s repertoire, “Whole of the Moon” was the band’s most commercially successful single. In 1991 the song a huge hit, receiving an Ivor Novello Award for “Best Song Musically and Lyrically.” The song has been covered by many artists including Fiona Apple, The Killers and Prince who performed the song live in some of his last shows.
Primary Wave Music will also maintain an ongoing partnership with Scott to manage all assets owned by the musician. In addition, Primary Wave will work with Scott to secure marketing opportunities regarding his name and likeness. Furthermore, Scott will now have access to Primary Wave’s entire marketing team and publishing infrastructure which includes branding, digital, licensing and synch opportunities.
Mike Scott comments, “I’m thrilled to partner with a great company like Primary Wave. They are an ally and a resource The Waterboys has long sought after. I like their energy; their style and I’m honoured to be part of the fabulous Primary Wave artists’ community alongside some of my all-time favourite musicians. I look forwar4d to seeing what creative mischief and adventure we can get up to together.”
“I became a Waterboys fan the second I first heard ‘The Whole of the Moon’,” said Adam Lowenberg, Chief Marketing Officer at Primary Wave Music. He continued, “I cannot wait for Primary Wave to give even more visibility to the underrated genius of Mike Scott. To have artists from Fiona Apple and Ellie Goulding to Tom Jones cover his material is a great testament to Mike’s songwriting prowess.”
With their cross-pollination of literate and soulful rock & roll of the British Isles, the Waterboys have tread a multitude of musical paths since singer/songwriter Mike Scott formed the group in London in the early ’80s. From the cinematic “Big Music” of their early classic, This Is the Sea, on through the rich Celtic-inspired music of their 1988 highlight, Fisherman’s Blues, the mercurial Scotsman has made dramatic changes a regular occurrence. Across nearly four decades of work, Scott’s sonic and spiritual explorations have been shared by dozens of band members and while many musicians have been in the band over the years, some for extended periods, Mike is the only member who has been in every iteration as the band’s lead singer, guitarist, and primary songwriter. In his role as restless seeker and wily rock & roll romantic, Scott has consistently steered the band toward interesting projects — like 2003’s Universal Hall, recorded at a remote Scottish spiritual community, and 2011’s An Appointment with Mr. Yeats, which featured brilliant adaptations of W.B. Yeats’ poetry — with each new album adding another layer to the Waterboys’ distinctive patina. Scott’s musical adventurings continued with vigor into the next decade with the release of 2020’s Good Luck, Seeker.