What do music supervisors listen for?
June 25, 2026
What do you think music supervisors are listening for?
Do you think it is the songwriting? The production?
There is something deeper than that.
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Chris:
I enjoy your video blogs. You always have a positive message to convey. I liked this message, but it left me thinking that “you either have it or you don’t” as a songwriter/musician. Can one really do anything affirmative beyond trying one’s best to capture that intangible quality of having a musical recording “touch” the listener? I know super-talented life-long songwriter/recording artist/producer/performers that that have truly incredible bodies of music and technical abilities and ease as performers that have never gotten high level success and notoriety. Is it just that the music industry is a brutal business and it takes luck?
The main point of my video blog was that it isn’t about technical abilities or ease as performers. It’s about bringing the best of you, no matter what genre you play or where you are on your journey. I hope that makes sense.
Thanks so much, Chris! This kind of brings us full circle. At the front end of the course, needing to understand all the details, the LIST. I’ve learned so very much…but as we bring it all together, it’s being authentic to who we are and what we were meant to bring to those around us musically, the sum of who we are, what we are meant to say, what’s needed in a moment in every song will speak to those around us if it speaks to us / moves us first.
You got it, Kate!
For me, I kinda know what’s gonna work when I write it. Or even think about it… when it’s still in my head. I find the best songs work best when the melody and the vocals match what the words are saying. I know that sounds strange, but that’s when the “it” happens. And when it does, it takes you some place. You see scenes in your head or get goosebumps on your arm or smell different, strange smells. It doesn’t happen on every song. But every song it happened on, something happened with that song. It’s when your spirit that you wrote the song with and in, reaches out and touches another’s spirit. It got cut, did well on the charts, got sync-ed. It’s never failed me so far. It’s called prosody.
I think you touched on the art of music there with your comment: “I find the best songs work best when the melody and the vocals match what the words are saying.” That is almost the same thing as wanting the music to match the lyrics.
Hi! It’s interesting, what you’re saying, bc it fits to my experience, if i think about which of my songs/collabs have been the most successful, so far. It is not the cleanest, not the most sophisticated ones, ut the ones with that “je ne sais quoi”, right. One thatz got nominated for the bridge.audio “film sync awards2 last year is just pretty chaotic, you know, NOT my “best” box-ticking production, by far – but the one that transports the feel cohesively and is the best it can be for what it is, right. So I guess this ties in to what you are saying here. It might be helpful to think about this while or even before writing new ones…
I am glad that made sense to you, Nicolai.
Love this sentiment – it’s my spirit guide!
Cool!
Thankyou Chris….. what you mean – I think it’s a bit like when you play your songs live, sometimes a song can really touch your audience, you can feel it reaching them and it helps you convey the song to them. It’s a sort of magic authenticity where communication happens at a deep level – whether a heartfelt ballad or a smash rocker. Can it be done without an audience? I suppose the creator(s) of the song kinda step into the mirror to achieve it! We become little all experiencing gods of our music!
It can certainly be done without an audience, but yes, it is a different approach which is sometimes more difficult.
Thank you – I truly appreciate your continued insights and support. RpT
Thanks Richard!
This provides a fresh perspective on something that has been going on forever in the music business: artists usually don’t know when they have a hit or when they don’t!
“Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye” was supposed to be the final ‘filler’ track on a solo project, but the dude refused to have it on his album; so, the label fabricated the band, Steam.
The guys in Sugar Ray who came up with the riff to “Fly” were making fun of jam bands and were horrified when the producer insisted on finishing the song.
Motörhead thought “Ace of Spades” was a throwaway.
Anyhow, the point is that if you write as if you’re checking off boxes on a list, music supervisors have a 6th sense that can detect it. Conversely, if you write what you know and feel, that same 6th sense picks up on the authenticity.
Nice message, Chris 🙂
I like that, Grady.
So you’re saying that Music Supervisors want the magic of “confluence,” to provoke the spirit (the emotion/mood) of the song through every single facet, from the songwriting, lyrics, and vocals through the entire production of it.
I wouldn’t break it down intellectually quite like that, but yes, they want to be transported by the art. More importantly what I was saying was the songs that seem to succeed are “the best of you” translated though those facets. I hope that makes sense.
Chris,
I love the whole mating ritual comparison! It’s really a great parallel!
It still comes down to the soul, which every bird or animal doesn’t even need to think about.
Express yourself!
John
I am glad you see the parallel, John.
In my mind, it’s primarily the story related by the lyrics, provided that the music matches it in every aspect. I write and record mostly slow dance love songs so I have to be sure the lyrics convey the emotion that I’m relating to the listener. And, that the music fits that emotion perfectly. Great post, by the way.
Makes perfect sense, Michael.
All my songs are mating dances. And my guitar loves me. Something about the G string, I think. Or, maybe it’s all about the wood. … 🙂 OR… Every song I write, for a moment, I think it’s great. I play it over and over. BUT, if in a month or so, or if my band just kinda shrugs, and I don’t remember it, that’s a sign it’s not it. I regret (sorta) the songs I recorded that didn’t pass those tests. I appreciate you, Chris, trying to give artists a chance. Happy to hear your thoughts.
Great test, Thornton.
I have a song of mine in a Film called Mouser it will be out July 14th. What they were looking for in a particular scene was a song that captured the moment the actress was turning into her Alter ego, putting on her black boots, slowly applying her red lipstick. My song ” You Lie” Remix was chosen because it’s so original my friend who’s the music supervisor was afraid to ask me if they could use it because he said it’s the Anthem. It all worked out. I can’t wait to see it. So l know they are looking for specific songs that don’t cost a lot to use. Especially in Independent Films. The trick is being in a real position where there are people looking through your catalog for a song that fits. Usually this happens after a record Label deal. Not sure how this works for us Indy musicians…
Congrats Shay! Yes, the challenge is getting your song heard which is why I created The Art Of The Song Pitch and Sync Songwriter.
Deep man! Love it Chris. I know exactly what you are talking about!
Nice!
If you don’t feel it /dance, move, or groove when you perform it, they will never feel it / dance, move, or groove when they listen to it. Gratitude Chris!
Thanks Terry.
Absolutely true, Chris!. When you feel the song while you’re writing it, performing it, other people feel it too. Thank you for all your tips and encouragement.
Couldn’t agree more, Dawn.
A NEEDLE IN A HAYSTACK. THAT IS WERE SYNC IS. IF THE SONG IS A FIT, IT WILL BE FIT. CAN NOT BE FORCED.
Yup, being a needle in a haystack is pretty much it if you have no way to get your music heard by the right people. That is exactly why I created Sync Songwriter.
Chris,
Your passion for helping your students has made this class different for me in a good way. The knowledge you’ve provided has been just like the elements of a song, but your spirit has given that “caught in moment” just like a hit song. This is a good analogy.
Thanks Hearn!
I like your analogy. I feel that when creativity and inspiration come together the magic happens. When the arrangement and the production are right it brings it to life. In my placement situation I found a Music Supervisor that I connected with and loved our music. It turned out that the one song that others weren’t interested in, was perfect for a scene in a show he was working on.
Beautiful!
Hey Chris !
This is all good stuff ! I’ve been 2nd guessing my music since I began AOTSP ! Getting set to give my 3rd pitch on Saturday A.M. still excited to be a part of this group!
I keep coming back to your words about building relationships with these amazing music supervisors!? After you’ve had a chance to pitch a song and quickly introduce your self, how then do you continue to build on that relationship??
That is unfortunately too big of a subject for blog comments, but it’s all in “The Art Of The Song Pitch”.
I just loved every word. Totally the best advice is sometime no one can be you are being true to your soul’s best better than you. Do that!.
C.C.
Look forward to a future mind meld with you.
Thanks CC!
Hm. You’re all very inspired, thank you. Sounds like all of you are talking about some ethereal, even spiritual quality in songs; things that come from some “almost-magical” somewhere, which is where true inspiration comes from. Something that approaches to the True sincerity and genuineness. Then think, when you tell someone you love them, what is the most genuine & inspired way to do it? Is it to write a speech and memorize it, then read it back to your loved one? No. It is to just ad-lib your feelings right there on the spot.
That is why 30+ years ago, I stopped playing all songs, period -mine or anyone else’s-, and self-trained to improvise only, every time I pick up my guitar. I don’t study, work out or play anyone else’s riffs or background chord progessions, I just listen. I left a guitar career for this, and now after these years, what does my style sound like? The melodies resemble the phrasing and timings, the intonation of the human voice. I improv only, onstage and in the studio, because I feel it’s the most honest and genuine, and the most expressive thing I could ever do with guitar.
Now let me listen to Chris’s exquisite & perceptive observations.
I got waylaid by your comments so far.
We all got in on something precious with AOTSP, partners.
That is a really interesting take, Brian. Thanks for sharing that.
So many great posts. Chris, you continue to inspire us and move us. At the end of the day, our songs are our children. We dress them as we would have them look in public. We feed and we coddle and we discipline and we present them as reflections of ourselves, yet somehow make sure they have a complete identity of their own, but once seen in public, we HOPE someone sees and recognizes them, and says, “Oh! There goes one of ________________________ kids!” God. This thing we do. This thing we live for. What we do in order to put three minutes of ourselves, our hearts, our very souls in front of a world that will probably forget us in the same amount of time….or bring us immortality. We’re as crazy as shit-house rats, when you really think about it. But who would trade a minute of it?
Youse all are amazing. It’s been an amazing trip with ya’s.
Hey thanks for the kind words, Paul. I think we are all in this crazy music world for much of what you described. Thanks for sharing.
Hi Chris, I don’t think this topic is unusual at all. If anything, it’s something that needed to be talked about a long time ago. I create almost entirely from the magic of the moment. Overthinking during the creative process is the fastest way to kill it. There’s a reason for that. Creative work engages different brain networks than analytical thinking. The moment you start analyzing everything, your mental state changes, and that can easily break the creative flow and the connection with what you’re creating.
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Hi Chris,
I do NOT write for sync placements but write for myself as inspirations or ideas pop into my head. If one of my songs fits into a placement that would be great but if not I can live with that. I have learned from you and others that my songs should be more general ( so cities rather than one specific city etc). Now over 130 songs recorded along with videos and e-cards on 2 websites.
I wrote a song ” Welcome To T.O.” for the Fifa Word Cup and advertised it in the Toronto Star for 2 weekends in June.
That’s good, Paul. I don’t recommend writing for sync placements. Write from your heart and that is the stuff that gets into TV & film most often. That is one of the pillars of The Art Of The Song Pitch.
Thanks for this wisdom, Chris! As a producer, I am always trying to create an environment that will bring out the creative best in an artist. There are so many things warring against this – addictions, patterns of behavior and stress that can stifle an artist’s creativity and distract them from the focus necessary. So, sometimes we have to be one another’s biggest fans and fight to bring out the best in them. I’m thankful to be in that kind of honest and collaborative environment at the moment. I appreciate this mentoring component in the class. Keep up the good work!
Great to hear, Michael. I really like your philosophy on that.
That’s an excellent point Chris. Succuss in anything is about being focused to try to create magic and inspiration. When we commit to going the extra distance to come up with something that we can get excited about or that moves the listener, then we are tapping into the essence of life. The point is to connect with other people in a meaningful way. Rewards and recognotion will follow.
Thanks, Kelly.
I once heard a singer do a little hiccup while she sang an intimate line…and that little hiccup made it to the final take. Unforgettable! I listen for a hiccup like that in other songs…
If it captures the mood, why not.
Spot on Chris. Nearly every song has hidden in its structure the keys to unlock the cabinet full of magic sauce. Its my favorite way to contribute. Open and pour. Pass it around.
Glad you liked that, Eddy.
@Chris, great angle on what makes music leap beyond what’s tangible. I’ll never forget Leonard Bernstein’s response when he was asked, “What quality defines a great song?” His answer…
“Will it give me an orgasm?”
In your own ways, you and Leonard both nailed it!
Haha, that’s one way to say it.
Yes, the soul/spirit of the song, and what the song represents—that does sound like the magic ingredient. You mentioned about folks in the studio high-fiving one another when they know a song will work: I would bet that the spark of inspiration a song leaves behind and when music editors feel inspired to add their own creative flair, is what would make a song stand out to music sups?
Thanks for sharing, Chris; I always appreciate hearing/learning from your insights!
I would say editors get so to show a little creativity depending on how they cut in the song, but it really comes down to how well the track matches the scene.
Hi Chris,
Good points!
Like the old maxim says:
“you get out what you put in”.
Emotion is the magic potion in every great recording.
Thanks for your thoughts,
Alex
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Thanks for reminding us of all of that and the impact of the soul of the song and how it can impact the listener.
I’ve always shared with people that my heart writes the lyrics and my soul writes the music. I can’t just sit down and say I’m going to write a song. I wait until my I know how I feel about the story. ….. and then the lyric comes out and I match it with a melody and music that will hopefully enhance the lyric and emotion.
I like that, Kristy, about your heart and soul.