“OMG I love it. It’s exactly what I was hoping for!”
— Emily Carlson, “The Broad Review” podcast
“It captured the moment perfectly and so meaningfully … the composition could not have matched my thoughts more.”
— A happy client
Ever wanted to commission a custom song just for you? You could have your own theme song, commemorate a special occasion, or send a unique gift to a friend or loved one!
These prices are for noncommercial use, but scroll on for more options below.
Jingles: $50
A jingle is under 30 seconds, with a simple sentiment and just a few lines of lyrics. Could be a theme for your podcast or YouTube channel, or just for fun! You’ll receive a recording of the song when it is complete (mp3 and/or wav), along with lyrics and chords. Price includes vocals and ukulele; other instruments may be available for an additional fee.
Short Songs: $75
Short songs are about a minute. These are perfect for birthday presents, personal theme songs, or custom lullabies for the new baby in your life! You’ll receive a recording of the song when it is complete (mp3 and/or wav), along with lyrics and chords. Price includes vocals and ukulele; other instruments may be available for an additional fee.
Proper Songs: Starting at $100
Proper songs are 2–5 minutes long, and have a chorus and two or three verses. Do you want a song to celebrate a special milestone, like an anniversary? Or have you just always wanted a song on a certain topic to exist, and the world’s musicians have yet to oblige? Send me an e-mail, and based on the complexity of your request I will provide a quote. You’ll receive a recording of the song when it is complete (mp3 and/or wav), along with lyrics and chords. Price includes vocals and ukulele; other instruments may be available for an additional fee.
Commercial license: Starting at $150
Need a theme song for your podcast or webseries? Or to include in an ad for your business? Maybe some nice instrumental music for the background of your Kickstarter video? Commercial commissions can cost as little as $150, depending on the length and complexity of your needs. They also include a round of revisions, to make sure you get what you need! Contact me with some details about your project, and I’ll give you a quote!
Samples
Jingle (<30 seconds) written for animated series theme song
Jingle written for podcast Comedy Bang! Bang!
Short song (~1 minute) written for a birthday present
Proper song (2+ minutes) written for a comic book character
Ready to reach out?
Email me at thegirl@sarahshay.com, and please include the following information.
Name: Yours, and the recipient’s if applicable
Song length: Jingle / Short song / Proper song
Do you need a commercial license? Yes or No
What is the song for/about? To celebrate a birthday? Theme for a podcast? Just to tell your mom how great she is?
What style/genre do you want the song to be? Upbeat / Romantic / Folk / Pop / Aimee Mann / Lizzo / etc. (Links to inspiration/examples are always welcome!)
Do you want any special instruments? Ukulele and voice come standard; I can arrange other instruments for an additional fee.
Do you have a deadline? A specific day or a general range (“I won’t need this until next spring” vs. “I need it in two weeks”).
FAQ
“I need a song for a birthday/anniversary/wedding/bridge opening and time is of the essence! Can you work with my schedule??”
Probably! Contact me with your timeline, and I’ll let you know what I can do.
“What if you send me the final song and there’s something about it I don’t like? Will you make changes?”
I want people to be happy with the results, so I try to ask as many questions as possible and communicate as I go. I will send a rough phone recording of the song to you before I start the final recording process — any minor requests I’ll be happy to accommodate, although major changes may require an additional fee. However, you may be comforted to know that I have never had a client ask for a revision!
“What if I want music for a podcast/YouTube channel/webseries that will be making a little bit of money?”
That counts as commercial use, but as a struggling creator myself I’m usually willing to provide a discount for other creators who are just getting started. Contact me and we’ll talk!
“What if I want music for a podcast/YouTube channel/webseries that will almost certainly NOT be making any money?”
If you’re not selling advertising or merchandise and don’t have sponsors or patrons, you can buy a “noncommercial” commission. I’ll just ask that we both sign an agreement to that effect, so if anything changes we have a contract to renegotiate. Most people opt to go the commercial route if they are hoping to make money off the project in the future, to make things simpler, but if money is an issue just email me and we can work something out!
“How professional will this sound?”
I am limited to my home recording setup, but I haven’t had any complaints! If your needs involve a highly polished result, contact me and we can discuss a separate rate for composition vs. recording.
“So do I just own this song outright now?”
Nope. We’ll both agree to a usage agreement specifying what you’re licensing the song for, but I will not relinquish copyright. If you need more control over the work for a higher-level project, contact me with details and we can discuss options!