It’s time for a new general discussion thread! Hot takes, recommendations, questions, cautionary tales, all of it is welcome here.
As always, remember to be mindful of spoilers. If you want to know more about how to handle spoilers in this community, check the guide here (also linked in the sidebar).
I think that commissioned OP and ED songs used to be a lot more common than they are now.
Part of it is the expense: The production team has to hire a composer, songwriter, musicians, and of course a singer to make a song just for that show.
With the internet, it’s a lot easier to call for submissions for the soundtrack, and get your pick of good additions to the soundtrack.
I remember Naruto Shippunden OP 4 Closer was performed by Joe Inoue, who was born in and lived in Los Angeles at the time.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kmL3EuiiWXM
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Inoue
I remember there was this video of him singing the song wearing a t-shirt and shorts in an ordinary bedroom, surrounded by a jumble of instruments, a keyboard, etc. but it appears to be hidden or deleted now.
The second part of it, is of course, better and more marketable music to sell to the fans of the show. The selected artist(s) gain exposure and collateral sales by having their song played during each episode to an audience of millions.
Even if that music doesn’t specifically mention the show’s name or characters.