Can I make a lyric video for a cover song?
The short answer: only with the right licence. A cover is your recording of someone else's song, and a lyric video puts their words on screen. That is a separate permission.
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Text description of this video
A lyric video in three colourful worlds: a rainbow sky with clouds, a purple sunset over waves, and a burst of blue and teal rays. The words appear with the singing in large letters, and on the peak words the letters gather out of small particles. Small drawings sit beside the words they belong to: keys, a flower pot, a cat, a peach, shoes. An equalizer moves along the bottom edge. The song's audio plays with the video.
Why a cover is different
The words and the melody of a song belong to its writers and publishers, even when the recording is yours. Licences for releasing a cover on streaming services usually cover the audio. A video that shows the lyrics generally needs its own permission from the publisher. This is general information and not legal advice.
What Lyriclip allows
Covers and songs by other artists are not allowed unless you hold the licence. When you order, you declare that you made the song and its lyrics, or that you own or control the rights needed to have a video made from them. Buying or streaming a song does not give you that right.
Things that do not count as permission
- Crediting the original artist in the description.
- Not earning money from the video.
- Having seen other people post the same kind of video.
When you can go ahead
- The publisher gave you a licence that covers a lyric video.
- You wrote the song, or wrote it with others who agree.
- You are recording a new version of a song that is already yours.
Questions
What about a song in the public domain?
If both the words and the music are out of copyright where you are, and the recording is yours, you may be free to use it. Check carefully, because modern arrangements and translations can have their own rights.
What happens if I upload a cover without a licence?
A false declaration lets us cancel the order without a refund, and repeat cases close the account. See the rights page.
Can I write new lyrics to a famous melody?
Not without permission. The melody still belongs to its writers.
See also: How to make a lyric video | Lyric video sizes and formats | Lyric video for Suno and Udio songs | Lyric video for bands | Lyric video for YouTube | Guides | Samples | Pricing | How it works | Lyriclip