The Spooky Side Of Music: How Halloween Hits Earn Royalties
Halloween isn’t just about costumes, haunted houses, and trick-or-treating—it’s also a big opportunity for royalty earnings. Every year, classic Halloween songs get a major boost as they pop up in playlists, commercials, TV shows, and more. This spike translates into an increase in royalty revenue for songwriters, recording artists, and rights holders. So, how do these songs make money, and why does Halloween give them such a boost?
The Halloween Music Boom
Songs tied to seasons or holidays have a unique advantage. Halloween is no exception. As soon as October arrives, classic songs like Bobby “Boris” Pickett’s “Monster Mash” and Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” aren’t just iconic; they’re also evergreen revenue streams. These songs get a huge boost in streams, ads, and licensing deals, reaching millions of people and significantly increasing their revenue and exposure.
Why Owning The Masters Is Important For Halloween Hits
Owning the master recordings and music copyrights is key to earning royalties in the music industry. Master royalties are a big deal; they mean the owner gets paid whenever a song is played or reproduced. Depending on the contract, this revenue could go to either the artist or label.
Typically, when an artist signs a major record deal, they often transfer the copyright to the label in exchange for an advance. This advance is typically recoupable from future record royalties until it’s fully paid back. If there is an outstanding balance, royalties won’t be credited to the artist’s account, potentially for years.
According to Billboard, “Monster Mash,” released in 1962 and who’s master rights are owned by Garpax and Decca U.K, has generated approximately $350,000 in average annual revenue globally from its master recording alone over the last 3 years. This figure excludes additional revenue from commercial, film, or TV use, and licensing on various compilation albums. The song also earns around $500,000 annually from global publishing revenue, including cover versions and sync deals. Combined, the revenue for “Monster Mash” could easily reach $1 million each year, highlighting the immense value of owning and retaining music rights.
Future-Proofing Through Publishing and Syncs
Evergreen tracks have a life beyond their original release, thanks to publishing and sync licensing. Whether a Halloween song like “Thriller” is featured in a TV show, film, or ad campaign, those involved will earn revenue from each new sync deal.
When publishing rights are retained, and the track stays relevant, it can continue generating royalties well beyond its initial release, receiving annual royalty boosts from both original playbacks and cover versions. This is why owning publishing rights is considered a long-game strategy.
The Power of Publishing: Why “Thriller” Keeps Paying
One of the biggest advantages in the music business lies in owning these publishing rights. For example, with a track like Michael Jackson’s “Thriller,” the songwriter and publisher continue earning royalties every time it’s played, no matter who performs it. Whether it’s a cover or a kid-friendly “bop” version (you know who we’re on about…), the publisher and songwriter are always paid. This allows them to generate revenue long after the song’s original release.
Seasonal hits like “Thriller” become evergreen, meaning they remain relevant year after year, and in different contexts, allowing them to secure ongoing revenue.
Longevity And Pinch Of Good Advice:
Halloween is more than just a holiday… it’s a golden opportunity for music rights holders to generate substantial royalty revenue. For songwriters and publishers, investing in seasonal tracks or holiday classics is not only a way to tap into short-term gains but also a long-term financial strategy. From streaming and sync deals to performance and mechanical royalties, these tracks can evolve into evergreen assets, ensuring they generate revenue long into the future.
