In administration deals, the songwriter retains full ownership of their copyrights. Though the music publisher does not have any ownership in the work, the duties of the publisher remain the same. The publishing administrator takes a percentage off the top of the song’s earnings as the fee.

Making Your Own Music: Songwriting Basics
Songwriting is an excellent way to express your thoughts and feelings and to communicate them to your friends and family, even if you have no aspirations of musical fame or fortune.