THIS DAY(s) IN MUSIC SYNC, PUBLISHING & BRAND PARTNERSHIP HISTORY:
What does music history have to do with your next deal? More than you think.
Every iconic placement, every groundbreaking deal and partnership, every legal fight over rights — it all adds up to the business we work in today.
March 3rd
2017: Lorde drops “Green Light”, instantly becoming a sync magnet for scenes representing teenage rebellion, freedom, and cathartic release.
2005: U2’s "Vertigo" becomes the face of Apple’s iPod campaign, showing how brand partnerships could create cultural moments rather than just ads. This redefined the relationship between music licensing and tech marketing.
1995: Eazy-E publicly announces his AIDS diagnosis. This tragic moment also triggered a surge of interest in his music, creating unique posthumous licensing opportunities for his estate. Rest In Peace Eazy-E.
1986: Metallica releases Master of Puppets. Though initially anti-commercial, Metallica’s eventual licensing of their catalog (particularly in Stranger Things) shows how opinions on sync evolve with legacy acts.
1966: Neil Young signs his first publishing deal. This early contract would later shape how his catalog was valued in licensing, with his stance on commercial use becoming part of his artist identity.
March 2nd
2010: Gorillaz release Plastic Beach, a masterclass in branding, animation-meets-music marketing, and environmentally conscious storytelling — all making it a creative partner for future brand collabs.
2004: Norah Jones’ Come Away With Me reaches Diamond status. This album’s soft, emotional tone made it a fixture in prestige dramas and romantic scenes across film and TV.
1984: Footloose premieres, redefining how soundtracks could drive a film’s success and vice versa. Songs like the title track remain in constant licensing rotation for feel-good, rebellious teen stories.
1978: The Buddy Holly Story premieres, elevating Holly’s catalog into a licensing boom that coincided with the rise of nostalgia-driven films.
1975: Linda Ronstadt wins her first Grammy. Her extensive catalog of cover songs became licensing gold, with her versions often becoming more sought-after than the originals.
March 1st
2012: Gotye’s Somebody That I Used to Know hits number one, driven by viral video success. Its raw emotion and universal themes made it a licensing go-to for romantic dramas, breakup scenes, and reality TV moments.
2005: Apple announces iTunes has surpassed 300 million downloads. This milestone forced publishers and rights holders to rethink digital licensing models, shaping the modern streaming economy.
1994: Nirvana performs their final concert in Munich, Germany. This show not only marked the end of an era for the band but also sparked a surge in licensing demand for their live recordings, particularly in documentaries and biopics focused on grunge, the 90s, and alternative culture.
1973: Pink Floyd releases Dark Side of the Moon. This album’s enduring cultural relevance made tracks like “Money” and “Time” consistent sync staples across films, commercials, and prestige TV series for decades.
1968: Johnny Cash records At Folsom Prison. The live album became a landmark release that found endless licensing opportunities tied to Americana, prison reform stories, and narratives of redemption and rebellion.