When you submit a cover song for licensing, Soundrop needs to identify the original composition you're covering. Providing accurate and complete information can help us identify the correct song and avoid delays with your licensing request.
Before submitting a request, make sure your song is eligible for licensing through Soundrop. See: What songs can Soundrop license?
What information should I provide?
Provide as much information as you can about the original song.
Original song title
- Enter the title of the original song you're covering, not the title of your version. Use the official title of the original work and enter it using English characters.
- Be as specific as possible. This is particularly important for soundtracks and other releases where several compositions may have similar names.
Original artist
- Enter the artist associated with the original release.
- Use the artist credited on the official release whenever possible.
- If there isn't a clear original recording artist, providing the composer's name may help Soundrop identify the composition.
Original songwriter or composer
Enter the songwriter or composer information for the original composition if you know it. You may be able to find this information in:
- the credits on an official digital release;
- a performing rights organization's repertoire database;
- official album or soundtrack information; or
- other reliable sources documenting the composition.
Original album or release
If you know it, enter the title of the album, soundtrack, or other release where the original song appeared.
Link to the original song
- Provide a link to an official release of the original song.
- Whenever possible, provide a link showing that the original recording was officially released in the United States.
- Don't provide a YouTube link as evidence of the original release.
Original source material
If the song comes from a movie, television series, video game, musical, or other source, enter the specific name of that work. For example, enter the name of the movie rather than simply entering "Movie".
Additional notes
Use the notes field to provide any information that may help identify a difficult-to-find composition. Useful information can include:
- publisher name;
- original release date;
- soundtrack or album information;
- a reliable reference page for the release; or
- information about where the original release was officially available in the United States.
How do I research a song that's difficult to identify?
Some compositions—particularly music from video games, anime, soundtracks, older releases, or releases originally issued outside the United States—can be difficult to identify. The following sources may help:
Official US music stores
Look for the original song or soundtrack on an official US music platform or retailer.
- An official US release can help establish that the composition was released in the United States and help Soundrop identify the correct work.
- Be careful with third-party marketplace listings. A resale listing isn't necessarily evidence of an official US release.
VGMdb
For video game and anime music, VGMdb can be useful for identifying:
- official soundtrack titles;
- track titles;
- composers;
- release information; and
- alternate or transliterated titles.
If a song has multiple translations or transliterations, compare the available information with an official release to make sure you've identified the correct track.
Songwriter and publisher databases
Performing rights organization databases, such as ASCAP and BMI, can help you identify songwriters, composers, and publishers associated with a composition.
These sources can be particularly useful when the artist or release information alone isn't enough to identify the song.
What if I can't find all of the information?
- Provide as much accurate information as you can.
- Don't guess if you're unsure about a songwriter, publisher, title, or other detail. Incorrect information can make it harder to identify the correct composition.
- Use the notes field to explain what you've been able to find and provide any reliable sources that may help Soundrop identify the song.
- If Soundrop can't identify or license the composition using the information provided, we'll let you know.
What happens after I submit my licensing request?
- Soundrop will use the information you provided to identify the composition and obtain the required license. See: Current Soundrop processing times
- If we need additional information or can't obtain the license, we'll contact you.