Music licensing for commercials
The clearance process in plain English — what you are buying, who has to say yes, and the fastest legal route from a shortlist to a signed certificate.
Licensing music for a commercial means getting written permission for two separate rights: the master recording and the underlying composition. Traditional clearance takes two to eight weeks and is quoted per side. Both copyrights are explained by the US Copyright Office; our sync licence guide for brands puts the same thing in advertising terms.
Melody licences start at $5. One fee covers the recording and the song, worldwide, for that piece of creative, with a PDF certificate issued the moment you pay.
Hear it on your own video first
Upload your cut, drop a track onto it and watch the real thing before you spend anything. No account needed, and your video stays on your device until you license.
- Licences from $5, covering the recording and the song worldwide
- Certificate issued the moment you pay, ready for any platform dispute
Pre-cleared tracks ready for commercial use
$500 licenceLast Train Home
SurisQuietly insistent rhythm - the music feels cinematic, with shimmering guitar lines and delicate layers of synths suggesting both nostalgia and hope. It’s the sound of dusk meeting dawn, of perspective earned through time. Consider this for long journeys, returning home to a sense of freedom and belonging. Stems available. From our album 'Pertinax'.
$5 licenceGROOVING ISLAND
ATMACinematic, with a touch of psychedelia and orchestral arrangements (but with good vibes)
$20 licenceSuki
Desperately Seeking SukiPerfect for indie films/coming of age stories, fashion and lifestyle campaigns (sunset, movement, freedom), TV drama montages and emotional turning points, nightlife, travel and road sequence visuals, trailers needing emotional lift with a modern alternative feel
$500 licenceUnder a Mango Tree
Gabriel ZingiberPerfect for projects evoking: Adventure, Ancient magic, untamed journeys, and exotic places, medieval scenarios. Storytelling that requires a sense of wonder, ancient energy, and acoustic-driven adventure. Film & TV Trailers & Scenes: Fantasy/Adventure Series (e.g., The Witcher, Game of Thrones prequels) – for scenes of travel, mystery, or magical encampments. Historical Dramas & Epics – underscoring a character's journey or a moment of ancient ritual. Animated Features – particularly for sequences involving mythical creatures, enchanted forests, or wise, mystical characters. Commercials & Brand Campaigns: Adventure Travel & Outdoor Gear (e.g., REI, Patagonia) – for campaigns focusing on legendary landscapes and soulful exploration. Premium Automotive (SUVs/Adventure Vehicles) – scoring visuals of vehicles traversing epic, timeless terrain. Artisan/Craft Brands (whisky, leather goods, cosmetics with natural ingredients) – to evoke heritage, craftsmanship, and a touch of earthy magic. Video Games & Game Trailers – ideal for open-world RPGs, fantasy games, or menus in titles like Elden Ring or The Legend of Zelda. Corporate & Media: Documentary Series – for segments on ancient history, archaeology, folklore, or mystical global locations. Streaming Platform Branding – as thematic music for fantasy/history categories. Museum/Exhibit Audio – accompanying displays on medieval life, Celtic history, or world mythology.
$60 licenceAngel
The Moons Of JupiterPositive, upbeat, uplifting, dreamy, optimistic and romantic. Modern feel but with an 80s kind of sound. Would work wonderfully in a film.
$5 licenceClassic Lovers
Jay Jammang"Classic Lovers", a dreamy pop track that marks a significant shift in his musical journey.
$5 licence
$500 licenceI Want To Party All Night Long
LORD UNCLE DAVE“I WANT TO PARTY ALL NIGHT LONG” — LORD UNCLE DAVE & SLIM is a high-energy EDM/dance record built for nightlife, celebration, and after-dark excitement. The track combines a dark, cinematic atmosphere with infectious dance energy and a retro neon aesthetic inspired by the glamour, danger, and late-night pulse of 1980s Miami. (think Grand Theft Auto Vice City) Its combination of driving electronic production, club-ready energy, and a stylish Miami/Vice City-inspired atmosphere makes it well suited for visual media that needs to immediately communicate partying, nightlife, luxury, excitement, rebellion, summer nights, fast living, and having a good time. Dark • Neon • Sexy • Energetic • Cinematic • Retro • Luxurious • Rebellious • Party • Nightlife • Miami • Summer • After Hours The track is particularly effective when paired with neon city lights, palm trees, exotic cars, luxury environments, crowded clubs, rooftop parties, beaches at night, fast-paced editing, and characters living an extravagant nightlife lifestyle. Ideal placement: A scene where the audience should immediately feel, “The night is young, the city is alive, and the party isn't stopping anytime soon.” Sync Licensing / Usage Recommendations 🎬 Film & Television Nightclub and party scenes Miami nightlife sequences Pool parties and beach parties Character introductions and montages Vacation and summer sequences Late-night driving scenes Luxury lifestyle sequences Romantic/nightlife montages High-energy transition sequences End-credit sequences 📺 Commercials & Advertising Automotive and sports-car campaigns Alcohol and nightlife advertising Fashion and luxury brands Travel and tourism campaigns Hotels and resorts Nightclubs and festivals Summer campaigns Energy/lifestyle brands Dating and social apps Consumer electronics and headphones Promotional trailers and brand campaigns 🎮 Video Games Open-world city environments Nightclub and party missions Racing games Driving sequences Character customization/lifestyle environments Beach and nightlife locations In-game radio stations Game trailers and launch campaigns Loading screens and promotional videos 📱 Digital / Social Media Instagram and TikTok nightlife content Travel and vacation videos Car and luxury lifestyle content Fashion edits Party and club promotions Influencer campaigns YouTube intros and montages Sports and entertainment highlight edits
The two rights you have to clear
The composition is the song as written, controlled by the songwriters and their publishers. The master is the specific recording, controlled by the label or the artist. A commercial needs both.
This is where most budgets go wrong. A quote of $10,000 usually means $10,000 per side, and a track can be cleared on one side and quietly unusable on the other.
What sets the fee
Every quote is a function of scope, not of the music itself:
- Media: paid social sits at the bottom, national TV and cinema at the top
- Territory: one market is a fraction of worldwide
- Term: three months costs far less than perpetuity
- Exclusivity: locking competitors out multiplies the fee
- Profile: a recognisable recording carries a name premium on both sides
- Edit rights: cutting and looping is a separate permission in traditional deals
How long clearance takes
Going direct, allow two to eight weeks for digital and eight to twelve for broadcast, plus legal review. Multiple rights-holders on one song, which is normal, means multiple approvals in sequence.
Pre-cleared licensing collapses that to the length of a checkout, because both sides were agreed before the track entered the library.
What you should always get in writing
Whatever route you take, the paperwork should state:
- The exact recording, including artist and ISRC
- Which rights are granted — master, publishing, or both
- Media, territory and term
- Whether edits, cutdowns and re-versions are permitted
- Who is indemnified if a third party makes a claim
Frequently asked questions
How do I license music for commercial use?
Identify the track, find who controls the master and the composition, request a quote stating media, territory and term, negotiate both sides, then sign and pay before the ad runs. On a pre-cleared marketplace such as Melody, both sides are already agreed, so you choose the track and the certificate is issued at checkout.
How does a music licence for commercial use work?
It is a written grant of specific permissions, not a purchase of the song. You are buying the right to use a named recording in a named piece of creative, in defined media and territories, for a defined period. Anything outside that scope needs a new licence.
How much does a commercial music licence cost?
Traditional clearance for a social or digital commercial typically runs $500 to $5,000 per side, and $25,000 upwards for national broadcast. Pre-cleared marketplace licences start far lower — from $5 on Melody, covering both sides.
Do I need a licence if the commercial only runs on our own channels?
Yes. Owned channels are still commercial use. The exposure is smaller, so the fee should be smaller, but the permission is not optional.
Can I license music for a commercial the same day?
Through a pre-cleared library or marketplace, yes. Direct clearance with a label and publisher realistically cannot be done in a day, which is why last-minute campaigns end up with generic stock beds.
Ready to try it against your own footage?
Pick a track, drop it on your edit and see it before you decide. Licensing takes a couple of minutes when you are happy.
- Licences from $5, covering the recording and the song worldwide
- Certificate issued the moment you pay, ready for any platform dispute
Keep reading
Music for ads
The buyer's starting point, with tracks you can try.
How to get a sync licence
The clearance process end to end.
Sync licence cost
Price bands by media type.
What is a sync licence?
The short version for marketers.