If you’re serious about having a sync licensing career you have to get good at writing songs that are NOT about romantic love.

Now, if you’ve been following me for a while, this is not news to you. You’ve probably heard me say it many times.

But, some artists still struggle with what to write besides love songs.

Well, I’m here to help you out with that. By the end of this article, I’ll give you 40 song themes that you can write that are not about romantic love.

But first, for those who are not as familiar…

Why are love songs a problem?

Isn’t love a common theme on TV and Ads? Then why is it so hard to place songs about love in sync?

Short answer? Because there are so many of them.

Most songs uploaded to DSPS are about romantic relationships. If you’re a songwriter you can attest to this – love is mostly what we write about. Music supervisors NEVER have a problem finding a good love song.

However, finding good hip hop / pop or R&B that is about more platonic relationships (like Best Friend by Doja Cat) is a LOT harder. This, therefore, presents a perfect opportunity for indie artists to enter into what is becoming a pretty crowded marketplace.

“Music supervisors always appreciate songs about love that are not romantic such as the love between siblings, family, friends, or of life in general”
—Thinking In Sync by Amanda K Thomas

If Not Love, Then What?

So, what will you write about if not romantic love?

To help you out with that, I’ve got a list of 40 songs themes that will work with sync that are NOT about love. Save this list and use it as inspiration during your next writing session.

“Advertising rarely uses songs about romance. But because non-romantic songs about friendships, family, and selfless love for others can be powerful and universal, brands and advertising agencies love them…and desperately need them!” syncsongwriter.com

40 Song Themes That are NOT About Love

1. Friendship and camaraderie
2. Courage and bravery
3. Hope and optimism
4. Inspiration and motivation
5. Success and achievement
6. Ambition and drive
7. Home and nostalgia
8. Childhood and innocence
9. Family and bonds
10. Unity and togetherness
11. Teamwork and collaboration
12. Challenges and obstacles
13. Victory and triumph
14. Celebration and jubilation
15. Dreams and aspirations
16. Social issues and activism
17. Youth and coming of age
18. Competition and rivalry
19. Personal growth and transformation
20. Quirkiness and eccentricity
21. Health and wellness
22. Community and togetherness
23. Work and productivity
24. Dreams and imagination
25. Self-discovery
26. Playful and mischievous
27. Personal journeys and growth
28. Life’s ups and downs
29. Achieving dreams and goals
30. Transformations and makeovers
31. Human connections and bonds
32. “Light”-related themes
33. “Time” – related themes
34. Songs about “Movement”
35. Songs about “The Future”
36. Rebellious / Rebellion / Against The Norm
37. Songs About Desire (Not Love)
38. Authenticity (Being Yourself)
39. Songs about Culture / Being A Part of The Culture
40. Songs about Being Present / The Current Moment

There you have it. I hope this helps inspire lots of pitchable songs.

Now, Go Forth and Conquer!