Can I Upload a Cover Song?

A cover song is a new recording of a song that was previously recorded and released by someone else. In order for a song to be considered a cover, the new recording must faithfully embody the melody and all of the lyrics of the original version of the song. You can change the key, use your own arrangement, and record the cover in your choice of genres, but the melody and the full lyrics must be present and intact without any changes.

It is important to understand that there are also many things that you cannot do to a pre-existing song without the explicit written permission of its rights holders (these are usually the publishers of the songwriters). This “don’t do” list includes the following:

• Changing any of the lyrics or melody
• Performing only part of the original song (if you record only the first verse and the chorus, some rights holders may consider that to be an infringement of their rights)
• Using the song in a “mashup” with other songs
• Using the song as part of a “medley” with other songs
• Performing the song in a language other than the language in which it was originally recorded
• “Sampling” the song as part of an otherwise new composition
• Using a sample of a different song within your cover version

If you want to do any of the things on the list above, there are several clearance services available that, for a fee, will try to secure the necessary permissions and negotiate a license from the rights holders for you. That's not something we can help with or advise on.