The Economics of Everyday Things 3. My Sharona
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Jan 8, 2026 
Burton Averre, the co-writer of the hit 'My Sharona' and guitarist for The Knack, shares firsthand stories about the song's quirky creation and its meteoric rise in 1979. Michael Kloster, a music publishing expert, explains the complexities of royalties and licensing that keep the song financially relevant. They discuss everything from the record advance and the unusual points deal for the band to the impact of parody and sync licensing in the modern music landscape, showcasing how a song can continue to thrive decades later.
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Quick Origin Of A Hit Riff
- Burton Averre recounts meeting Doug Fieger and how they wrote My Sharona quickly during their early club days in LA.
- He describes the riff's origin and the song emerging in about an hour as their encore-maker.
Advances Vs. Artist Royalties
- Record advances fund recording but must be recouped by the label before artists earn royalties.
- The Knack got 13 points and their album sold two million copies, unlocking meaningful artist income.
Songwriting Creates Durable Income
- Songwriters earn performance and mechanical royalties separate from the record company.
- Owning the composition (not just the recording) creates durable income streams over decades.