I’m not referring to the instrumental music composed specifically to underscore a scene-but to the vocal and instrumental pieces heard in the background on television shows and in movies. You might be surprised to learn that a tremendous amount of the background music on your favorite TV shows and movies is derived from songwriters’ demos and from artists’ independent releases.

Where Do the Songs Used in the Background Come From?

It’s hard to think of any style that isn’t used in television shows and films-and if the music is right, it doesn’t matter how old you are, where you live, or what you look like. It’s also tough to place songs that sound as if they belong in another era-for example, Patsy Cline, 1940s swing music, or psychedelic rock from 1968.īut movies and TV shows need songs in all of these genres-and more, as well as music that sounds as if it’s from various decades. In many genres, such as rock, singer/songwriter, alternative rock, pop, R&B, hip-hop, instrumental, and Americana music, it’s very tough to place “outside songs” – songs not written or co-written by the artist or producer. In addition to the financial benefit, for songwriters who are also recording artists, prominent placements in TV shows and films can help expand your fan base, in addition to looking great on a resume.īut there are additional reasons to place songs on television and in movies.

Take this quiz if you think you can name these TV show tunes.You want every chance to generate income from your music, and while mechanical royalties (for sales of tangible product and digital downloads) have diminished, there are more opportunities than ever to have your music heard on television and in movies. But the opening song for the television sitcom, 'Happy Days,' 'Rock Around the Clock,' was written before the show aired for the first time. Theme songs are often written specifically for a show, but in some cases, an already established song works just fine.įor instance, the theme song for 'The Fresh Prince of Bel Air,' 'Yo Home to Bel Air,' was written for the show and performed by Will Smith himself. Producers don't just pick a song and slap it into the show's introductory sequence. Most television show theme songs are very well thought out ditties. The association between the show and its theme song can bring back memories. The theme song from 'Laverne and Shirley' ranks as one of the most recognizable of all time.Īlthough we can't say if they were originally intended to do so, a show's theme song has the power to take you back to a (hopefully) simpler, happier time. We're gonna do it!' Face it you didn't read that, you sang it. Schlemiel! Schlimazel! Hasenpfeffer Incorporated. 'One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight. If hearing a television show theme song brings back memories, this quiz is for you.

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