Who Wrote Suicide Is Painless
The song Suicide Is Painless was written by Johnny Mandel, an American composer and arranger known for film and television scores. The lyrics were written by Mike Altman, the father of actor Dennis Altman, who directed the original M*A*S*H film. The song was composed for the 1970 film M*A*S*H and later became the theme for the long running television series adaptation.
Johnny Mandel is credited as the composer, while Mike Altman is credited as the lyricist. The composition is formally registered with performing rights organizations such as ASCAP and BMI, which track public performance royalties for the work. The song remains one of the most recognized television themes in American broadcasting history.
Copyright Status and Public Domain Timeline
Current Copyright Ownership
As of the latest available public records, the composition copyright for Suicide Is Painless is still active and managed by the respective music publishers representing Johnny Mandel and Mike Altman. The underlying musical work is protected under U.S. copyright law, and the lyrics are treated as a separate literary work within the same registration framework.
The song will not enter the public domain until the copyright term expires, which for works created in the United States after 1978 generally extends for the life of the author plus 70 years. Until that date, any public performance, reproduction, or derivative use requires a license from the rights holder or their designated administrator.
How Royalties Work for Television Theme Songs
Performance Royalties and Collection Societies
Every time Suicide Is Painless is broadcast on television, streamed online, or performed publicly, performance royalties are generated. These royalties are collected by performing rights organizations such as ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC, which then distribute the earnings to the registered songwriters and publishers.
For television themes, the royalty rate depends on factors such as the number of broadcasts, the market size of the network, and whether the use is classified as background music or a featured theme. The M*A*S*H television series theme generated significant revenue over its run and continues to earn royalties through syndication, streaming platforms, and occasional live performances.