How To Release A Cover Song On Spotify Legally

Written By Robert Fabry Last updated: January 15, 2024

Are you ready to unleash your musical creativity and captivate a global audience? Picture this: Your heart-pounding cover of a beloved song reverberating through headphones, resonating with thousands of listeners around the world. Spotify, the unrivaled stage for music enthusiasts, awaits your sensational performance. But how do you navigate the labyrinthine world of cover song releases and conquer Spotify's airwaves? Look no further, because in this article, we will unveil how to release a cover song on Spotify but also the secrets to unleashing your creativity and releasing a captivating cover song on the world's leading music streaming platform Spotify!

Contents Guide Part 1. What Are Cover Songs Are Exactly?Part 2. FAQs About a Cover Song DistributionPart 3. How to Release a Cover Song Legally on Spotify?Conclusion

Part 1. What Are Cover Songs Are Exactly?

Before we share the process of how to release a cover song on Spotify, it's key that you understand what is a cover song. A cover song is when an artist plays, records, or recreates the composition of another artist. It may be in a different genre than the original song, but it holds to the same melodic and lyrical content of the original piece.

Part 2. FAQs About a Cover Song Distribution

Whenever releasing a cover song, there are a number of essential considerations to make and actions to take to ensure that the upload goes off without a hitch and achieves the desired results. Let's go through some of the most important things you need to keep an eye out for prior to knowing how to release a cover song on Spotify:

1. Do I need a permission to cover a song on streaming?

You don’t need verbal or written approval from the writer or publisher of the song before you release your cover. Anyone can cover anyone else’s song without getting permission before releasing it on streaming platforms.

2. How do I legally release a cover song?

Although you won't need to provide prior permission to distribute your cover songs to streaming services, you will need to obtain a mechanical license to distribute your cover to download stores.

3. Where can I obtain a mechanical license?

There are plenty of services out there that help you obtain a cover song mechanical license and pay the required royalty rate, including Harry Fox Agency (HFA), Songfile, or Easy Song Licensing. This is a necessary step should you wish to release your music on iTunes or Amazon Music. If you want your cover song to be available on Spotify, Deezer, Pandora, iHeartRadio, Saavn, Nuuday, Anghami, Tidal, and KKBox only, you won’t need to do all this.

4. Where can I release a cover song?

A music distributor is a company that acts as a middleman between the artist and digital service providers (aka DSPs). The distributor sends your music to all of the services and pays you your share of the revenue. The best music distribution services and companies out there today include CD Baby, DistroKid, Bandcamp, TuneCore, Symphonic, etc. Examples of DSPs include Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal, Amazon Music, and other streaming companies or storefronts where you can play or buy music. Conduct some research and choose a digital distributor with a good reputation in order to obtain your cover song on different streaming platforms.

Release A Cover Song On Spotify

Part 3. How to Release a Cover Song Legally on Spotify?

How to release a cover song on Spotify legally? Releasing a cover song on Spotify legally involves some steps to ensure you have the necessary permissions and licenses and comply with Spotify’s guidelines. Here we go!

Step 1: Song Selection

Pick a tune that complements your creative sensibilities and provides a stage for you to exhibit your one-of-a-kind rendition. Think about picking a tune that speaks to your ideal listeners and has the ability to draw in new people to tune in. It is best to steer clear of covering songs that are already popular on Spotify unless you have a unique approach that distinguishes your rendition from the others.

Step 2: Record Your Production with High Quality

Create a setting that is conducive to recording in order to record high-quality audio. Make sure the room has adequate acoustics, use microphones of good quality as well, and think about investing in professional recording equipment if you can. Mixing, mastering, and post-production are all aspects of production that should be given careful consideration in order to improve the overall sound quality and set your cover song apart from others.

Step 3: Confirm Song Metadata

When submitting your cover song to Spotify, make sure to:

  • Identify your track as a cover during the submission process.
  • Ensure that your cover artist name and track title are accurate.
  • Provide the names of the original songwriters and publishers.

Step 4: Get the Mechanical Licenses

As we mentioned in Part 1, you need a mechanical license before you release a cover song. You can access Harry Fox Agency (HFA), Songfile, or Easy Song Licensing to get a license.

Get Licensing Release Song Spotify

Step 5: Sign up to a Music Distributor

How to release a cover song on Spotify smoothly? To release your cover song on Spotify, you’ll pick a popular music distribution platform like TuneCore, DistroKid, CD Baby, and others. Once you’re signed up you’ll be ready to start the uploading process for your songs. Regardless of the distro, you should obviously upload the highest quality lossless file/s that you have of your music. Depending on the music distribution providers there may be specific requirements on the file format for digital music.

Step 6: Upload to Spotify

Once signed up for Spotify for Artists, you'll get access to your Spotify for Artists dashboard. Here you can upload songs to Spotify. Spotify supports audio files in FLAC or WAV format (highly recommend FLAC). So you should transcode the file into different delivery formats to upload a cover song successfully.

AMusicSoft Spotify Music Converter has emerged as a piece of software that allows users to convert music into a variety of audio formats. It can help your upload music files in right format such as MP3, M4A, WAV, FLAC.. It also enables you to listen to music from Spotify offline on any device or media player without placing any constraints on your listening.

How to Convert A Cover Song to Spotify-Supported Format:

  • Get AMusicSoft Spotify Music Converter and set it on your computer by downloading and installing it. When you start using the program, you will see that it has an intuitive user interface.

Free Download Free Download

  • Upload your cover song audio files to AMusicSoft Spotify Music Converter. You can also select the songs in the music library that you want to download just by dragging or dropping them to the program’s interface.

Import Spotify Music to Amusicsoft

  • To release a cover song on Spotify, choose the right output format and parameters.

Select The File Format

  • Start the conversion process by clicking the "Convert" button. The music that you listen to on Spotify will be downloaded into your computer after being converted to the format of your choice.

Convert Music To MP3

After the process of conversion is finished, you will be able to find the songs that were converted on Spotify by clicking the "Converted" option. The music will be stored in the output folder that you choose throughout the process. You are now able to transfer the cover song to Spotify. How to release a cover song on Spotify? To release the cover song on Spotify legally, access the Spotify for Artists app. Once you're signed up and logged in, just head to the Home tab at the top of your Spotify for Artists dashboard and choose Music. Then upload your cover song.

Spotify For Artists App

With the help of AMusicSoft Spotify Music Converter, you can easily and effectively enjoy music from Spotify even when you're not connected to the internet. This gives you the freedom to listen to your favorite songs whenever and wherever you want. It keeps the audio quality intact while allowing you to choose the output format and make adjustments to the audio parameters so that they are tailored to your tastes. Now you do not need to upgrade to Spotify Premium.

Step 7: Collecting Royalties

If you have the mechanical license to release a cover song, you will be able to collect your share of royalties from its exploitation once your cover song is on Spotify.

Step 8: Promotion and Sharing

If you're serious about getting your music heard and getting more streams on Spotify, you will want to promote your single release with a real plan. For instance, promoting your cover song on social media, your website, and other platforms to reach a wider audience.

Conclusion

In conclusion, knowing how to release a cover song on Spotify can be a thrilling endeavor that allows you to showcase your musical talent and connect with a global audience. Additionally, for those who want to enjoy Spotify music offline without limitations, the AMusicSoft Spotify Music Converter offers a convenient solution, allowing you to listen to your favorite tracks offline on any device or media player.

Free Download Free Download

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