Synch licensing pays big $$$ over 30 seasons
The writers of the Simpsons apparently know a thing or two about the music business. Or at least the challenges faced by songwriters in the current climate.
In a recent episode, Lisa asks Bart to write a song for her…
Bart: “What will you do for me if I write the song?”
Lisa: “I might make brownies later.”
Bart: “Wow! That’s the best deal any songwriter ever got! And that’s true even if I don’t get the brownies!”
Hard to believe that the Simpsons have just started their thirtieth season. Over the years, the show has featured a lot of music, both original and pre-existing songs for which the production company had to get clearance prior to use with a synch license.
Fees for a network show such as The Simpsons could be in the $6,000 to $10,000 range for an ‘all television’ synchronization license. Even if Bart doesn’t get the brownies, quite a number of songwriters and music publishers have pocketed some nice change over the years thanks to that animated family.
For a full list of every song ever featured in the Simpsons, by season and episode, visit this Tunefind website. Each listing include the composition’s title, the composer and/or recording artist and links to Spotify, Apple Music, etc. Season 28 was particularly tuneful with eighty-eight songs.
Preshias Harris is a music journalist and music career development consultant with the emphasis on new and aspiring artists and songwriters. Her book, ‘The College of Songology 101: The Singer/Songwriter’s Need to Know Reference Handbook’ is available at www.collegeofsongology.com Follow her blog at www.nashvillemusicline.com