How to Release a Cover Song on Spotify and YouTube Legally 

Agree with all the other comments. You've packed more helpful information in this 10 minute video than I've found everywhere else on the internet.

That’s the best video on RU-vid about this topic. Thank you 🙏🏻

Thank you for this video! The information was very useful to me as one who is just breaking into this area. Looking forward to learning more through your other videos.

Some publishers not only take your video down but will issue a strike even if you don’t care about being paid. Stay away from Don Henley, Bryan Adams, Led Zeppelin, The Cars.

straight to the point and clear. thank you!

Fantastic video! Appreciate this, thanks!

Solid info for those new to this aspect of music promotion.

Great video again. Definitely subbed

Thank you so much for this.

Thanks Todd, great info!

best video on this topic!

Thank you!

Thank you!!!

Thank you! Very informative!

Thank you very much!

This is one of the best videos out there about this topic! Super simple, straight to the point and very helpful. Thank you so much! 🙌 I just have a quick question, if I upload cover songs to RU-vid and TikTok without a mechanical license because I don’t mind not getting monetized, do I still need a sync license to record myself singing it? Even if I do it through We Are The Hits? Or if I upload it through We Are The Hits am I protected to upload also the video of me singing the cover? Oh, and if I want to upload it on Instagram, is it a different process or is the same? Thank you in advance for your response!! 🙏🙏

Useful video. Informative & well explained. Music copyright bemuses many an Artist - great to have content like this available to help artists.

very helpful

really good video

Cover songs are becoming more and more popular, especially with Tik Tok and social media. I'm wondering if any of you have experienced long wait times to get your cover song licenses from services like Harry Fox Agency Songfile, Easy Song Licensing, Distrokid, etc? If the licensing parties are overwhelmed with volume, I may recommend giving yourself more time to allow for the license to clear.

Thank you for making this video. I've been watching your videos for a a little over a week now. I'm just breaking into all of this. I've disvovered, and realized that, I am particularly and mostly interested in collaborations, not as COVERS, but the word I would use, would be a complete Part 2 and Part 3 and/or "ReImagination" of an Original Song. I completely rewrote Natalia Imbriglia's "Torn" with mostly all new Lyrics. I did Ninja Rap Part 2 from Vanilla Ice and a Part 3. Not to be biased unnecessarily, as part of this being successful in anything is recognizing when you "got it" or your don't, but they're definitely good and flow the same way as a true part 2 and part 3. The soundtrack is the same, but I would add some technical flares and different bsckground enhancers but keep the foundation that made the Song a Hit in the first place. What would be the best way for me to go about that? So far, I've only done the Lyrics to several songs, but I have a great deal of Skill for it, and I hear absolutely everything like a Composer. Timing. Rythm. Beat. Flow. Pace. Tone. It's all there. So that helps me pick up for where I lack in other ways. My sound tune is good, but I'm an 8/10 singer and I fully recognize other Artists are much better than me in that. But I'm a 10/10 flow, and I can write that way everytime. My songs just flow like a Poet so I'm going to specialize in that, mostly, because I do enjoy it most. So recap: For "Torn" it is less than 5% of The Original Artist Lyrics. 95%+ of my own Original Lyrics. I also rename the Song. For Ninja Rap its more considerable Recycling, but around 30% Original Lyrics and 70% New Lyrics. On the ReUse of words theyre also completely rearranged. Same Original beat as the foundation. I did ShineDown's "Second Chance", 50 Cent Many Men. My range has no limits to what I can write, and I've been using this wide range variety to test myself. I "got it", and I recognize it. So I definitely need your guidance. Or someones. Does your course cover this or this a different route altogether? I will never do a straight "Cover" of an Original Song. My Creativity simply will not allow me to do. Its a complete ReWrite. Thanks again, I look forward to hearing from you, and, working with you on a Collaboration. I would be interested in hearing an original Song you did. Where do I find your tracks?

This video is fantastic! Thank you for sharing your insight, it is truly valuable to someone just starting out with recording their singing and wanting to share that with the world. I do have a question though, if you might be able to help me. You mentioned making sure you don't use any parts of the original song in you cover, it has to be all you. But, what about the instrumentals? I am a singer and I don't know how to play any instruments. Another video had mentioned finding a "no-vocals/instrumental" version of the song on RU-vid, turn it into a downloadable MP4, and use that for the background instrumentals of your cover. Would this possibly be considered a copyright infringement somehow? Or, how else would you suggest a singer get ahold of the background music for the song they want to cover?

Thanks

Thanks for all the great info. I would like to record and release a famous song using an extensive rewrite of the lyrics. What do I need to legally do in that case?

The two websites you mention for getting the mechanical license, are these also for European citizens or are there rules regarding this?

Thank you for providing such valuable information. I have a question, though. If I were to create a cover of a famous song and then proceed to teach that cover in a RU-vid video, would the licensing offered by "We Are the Hits" or "Easy Song Listening" be suitable licenses for this purpose?

Hi Todd, do you have any advice about releasing a recording of a live performance that blends about 6 popular American folk songs in sequential snippets? It's quite a bit different than just playing a cover song, and intended to honor heritage in tandem...

Great video. What about when a guitarist just wants to play a solo over part of a song? E.g., if you want to do the Freebird solo over the backing track? Do you still need a mechanical and sync license to do this? I feel like I see it all the time. Also do the same rules apply on TikTok videos as with RU-vid? Thanks!

Thank you so much for all this clear info. Really appreciate it. I do have a question - you explained the difference between cover songs and remixes. But what if Im doing a cover of the song, that doesnt resample any of the original song, but also doesnt conform to the original structure/bpm/scale/chords, and maybe not the complete lyrics or a different presentation of the lyrics? what would an "abstract reinterpretation" of a song like that be? a cover, or a remix? thank you!

This is awesome! Would love to know how remixing music works? Do I still need a license and what can I do to earn money from my remixes?

Great video! Quick question: would my cover still be considered a cover, or a derivative work if it was shorter than the original? As in cutting 16-32 or some bars from the end or the beginning, or adding small extra parts in the song structure like bridges or extending the chorus, for example?

Great information and thank you. I have two questions for two situations. If I’m doing a soundalike cover that I want to put on RU-vid and Spotify only, do I still need the mechanical license? Secondly for a multiple song medley ONLY on RU-vid, would content ID handle it?

Can someone help me post my songs I sing on star maker to utube

I want to start a karaoke RU-vid channel. Sing king makes money on RU-vid with his karaoke videos, but he has a deal with RU-vid. What steps would I have to take (licensing) to first make the songs I upload allowed on RU-vid and secondly make money from the channel since it takes me about 5 hours to make a karaoke video and I have a day job. Any advice is appreciated or if you have a business number I can call to discuss further. Thanks.

Amazing video, Todd. One question, once we have a valid sync license who will collect the money out of RU-vid, our distributor?

what in the case that you write a new lyric but use the same melody?

This video is great. Can you explain different terms used in this video, such as parody, medley, remix, and derivative works, against cover songs for beginners like us. Can we use a karoke track and sing and upload on RU-vid (not for monetary purposes)? Is that considered a cover song?

Hi, great channel , learning alot about rights ,license and copyright claims etc. I recently received a copyright strike 5 days after I posted a cover of a song. I use midifiles, which I buy and download from a legit site. I removed the voice and added my own sound. I understand that the midifile to this song is as close as it can get to the original. I can't understand why my video got a strike while other users have covers of the same song and content, for several years. I'm sure not all these usees have permission to use the content but their videos are still on. I posted other videos using midifiles, i see the copyright claim, but the copyright owners allow the usage of content, as well as the video in question, then 5 days later, a strike. I'm trying to better understand what went wrong with that one. I hope you have a simple explanation for me. Thank you Marcello

If I use a backing track or a karaoke track and I go for the process you mentioned here, can I still monetize it?

I have a question about derivative work. You said not to put samples, so can I not put the song track over a guitar cover or how does that work?

really very good video. I would appreciate if you could answer me this: if I make arrangements for classical guitar of commercial songs and I keep the melody of the song, but I modify a little the harmony, this can be classified as a cover? in the arrangements the song is completely recognizable, but it sounds different because of the harmony. 2. How do I know to what extent a musical arrangement is a cover or not?

Hi Todd … Thank you for your video…. I would like to perform solo versions of Jazz Standards…. Question Once I obtain the license can I use it to perform different versions of the song ? Ex. Different tempos , keys and reharmonization

How about derivative works? Do I need a license to post?

what's if I just translate the lyrics of a song into a different language such as . Would be that considered as a cover song or a derivative?

Guitar cover is legal or not?

What a out just covering a song on the guitar and upload it?

Hello! Can I have some advice? I really want to get into making covers on youtube, but all I've really got is my voice (maybe keyboard?). My original plan was to use song instrumentals and cover over them with my voice, but then I realized that might not be considered a cover. Would that be a cover? Would it be a sample? Would I have to make the instrumental myself for it to be a cover? I'm not sure if I want to monetize or not. This is mostly just for fun.

So I am seeing a streaming bulk price on harry fox agency but no other 3rd party license... It is still the case today that you just need the digital download license to cover streaming?

So if you buy the up front mechanical license, upload your video to RU-vid without the sync license to begin with, would you then be able to add this later if it turns out your video has enough views to get paid ? I am only a very very small RU-vid channel with close to no subscribers - but I dream that one day I could earn a small living from this. How ever very much afraid of all this copyright stuff 😢.

How does it work if it's just instrumental versions? Actually I play piano arrangements of hymns and religious music. Can I put those in Spotify? Thank you!

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Covers to other genres, like taking a Taylor Swift's song and making a punk rock version, maintaining the song structure, lyrics, melody, chord progression, etc, but adding instruments like guitars, bass lines and acoustic drums, is it still a compulsory cover or is it a derivative work?

@BandBuilderAcademy - Could you help me, please... If I did a cover that was originally an instrumental and I wrote a song to it, how do I go about releasing it and would I now be a writer or would ALL the publishing go to the original songwriter? The company I use to release song are CD Baby. What would I need to do in order to release the track so it can be purchased digitally by the general public? What steps would you take?

If I am posting cover of someone's version of a psalm is that considered a cover or a derivative work?

Hi pals🐥 any one experienced releasing a derivative music? I would like to learn more about that

Is copyright the same as cover license?

Hi, so I removed main vocals from a song and then recorded my own vocals plus more vocal layers. I do not plan on selling it or monetizing it and post on youtube. What do I need to do? Thanks

Fantastic video! Thank you! I have another YT channel that showcases my musical styles for potential film/media clients. (A non-monetized business card channel of sorts). Recently, I made a cover that I'd like to post... AND maybe sell for download via my Apple/Spotify etc, pages through my DSP. And perhaps get into sync situation if a film production is interested. My dilemma is: my cover is definitely a "Derivative" with lots of changes but is still hugging the original. Are there any good resources to point me in the proper legal direction? I really can't find anything out there other than what makes my version "not a copy". I know I can get a Mechanical License for recording it, but clearing a video and any selling of it is murky.

Great video!

Great video, now how about a video on derivative songs and what's needed to be allowed to make money, if that's possible.

Thanks for the video! Can cover songs with a mechanical license already published be registered for copyright, or no, because they are cover songs? What if the lyrics are translated to another language, but fit within the song time?

Can i cover a couple of songs in one video and monetize it with - we are the hits?

Would it be considered derivative if I genderbent the song? It really only changes two words. Which option is safest?

what if I buy a license for 50 downloads but my cover will have 1000 clicks per month unexpectedly?

If I use only lyrics of other's songs but with my own voice and music, will it get copyright issue?

Thanks for explaining. I had a question though. What if I sing a cover over a derivative work, such as "slowed down piano instrumental"? Do I still need a licence for derivative work or does it fall under mechanical licence? Or something other completely?

Do I need any sort of license if I want to upload piano covers of my favorite songs to RU-vid and have those be monetized? I was told by another piano RU-vidr that if you simply upload the piano cover, RU-vid will identify the song as a cover and share the revenue with the publisher. Is that accurate? Thanks!

If I get mechanical license, is that for a person or for an account(like RU-vid)? I have two channels, one covers by instrument another one covers by vocal, the backing track I just down online like YT or somewhere else, might have a chance to change keys when cover, all of songs I’ll upload to RU-vid or TikTok also other platforms from other countries, should I get mechanical license or sync license? I’m still little confused, thanks

Do I need to this for guitar and piano covers with no lyrics??

I did a Shorts Guitar cover of a verse of Hotel California (No Vocal) Out of the Blue, No Warning!. I got A Copyright Strike!.🤷

My very recent experience: yesterday I uploaded my arrangement and performance of King Crimson's "Epitaph". My channel is not monetized. RU-vid analyzed it and put a copyright clsim on it, as you said they would. But since RU-vid also prevents the video from appearing on my channel or in anybody's search results, nobody knows about it unless I send them the link. How does this help anybody? The video got 5 views, which ain't gonna make anybody rich from ad revenue AND the performance doesn't help me in any way I can see. For small time artists I don't think it makes any sense at all to do covers. What a mess.

Curious how it works for derivative works 💭🤔

Great video! What if I just did an audio only cover song for promotional purposes ONLY without no monetization whatsoever on my own personal artist website that I created. Would I need ANY permissions and licensing for that. At this point, I'm not looking to make money off of cover songs. Just self promotional purposes and exposure. Any information you could provide would be greatly appreciated!

Can you use the background arrangement of the original artist and use my vocals as a cover song on RU-vid without making any money?

would a song that is originally sung in another language that I translate and sing in english be considered compulsory still?

It's like watching the same video over and over again but they all make the process out to be so easy. What a load of bollocks to simply cover a song.

I have few questions 1 What if i use ai to make the song? 2 Also what if it's a person singing with a ai voice [ like background vocals or both the ai and person singing ] Also what are the rules about ai? I'd like to know because i asked other people and i get different results from them And maybe you could make a short vid about the rules about using ai Thx

Hello..🙏 I am a singer..kya itna kharab gata hoon..jo mujhe log support nhi krte. 😔😔😔😓😓

This company Affordable Song Licensing reached out to me. Might be another good option. Check them out here AffordableSongLicensing.com