Greetings, Music Makers!
What Are My Lyrics Saying?
Crafting Lyrics for Sync Licensing
Let’s talk lyrics. What should—and shouldn’t—be included when writing songs for sync licensing?
Let’s start with the positives. A strong sync song should focus on one clear emotion or mood. Why? Because your song will be used in a movie, TV show, commercial, or other media to support and elevate the emotional tone of a scene.
Use figurative language effectively. Metaphors, similes, and analogies are great tools. Try something like:
- “Love is a rainbow.”
- “Life is a circus.”
- “She was as innocent as an angel.”
- “Agony flows with the beating of my heart”
These kinds of expressions paint vivid emotional landscapes, which is exactly what music supervisors, sync agents, editors, publishers, and producers are looking for.
What to Avoid
So, what should you avoid in your lyrics?
- No specific names or places.
Make it Universal. You can say “the desert,” but not “the Mojave Desert.”
You can write “an old man in a rocking chair,” but not “Mr. Jones in his rocking chair.” - Verbosity.
When your song is used in a scene, it’s likely playing under dialogue. Short phrases and simple sentences are far more effective than complex narratives.
A Note on Vocal Volume
Vocal volume depends on the genre. A rock track can carry more intensity than a mellow singer-songwriter tune. We’ll dive deeper into this topic—along with sound design—in the next article.
Final Thoughts
Most of these tips may seem like basic songwriting principles—but they matter. Sure, there are exceptions (and you’ll hear them in film and TV), but following this guidance will give your song a better shot at being licensed.
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Until next time—let the music move you.
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