Recording a cover song is exciting, especially when it feels ready to be shared on Spotify. Before hitting upload, though, one important question comes up. Is it actually allowed to release a cover song on a major streaming platform?
The good news is that cover songs are absolutely permitted on Spotify. The key is following the correct licensing process so the original songwriter is properly credited and paid. Once those requirements are in place, covers can be streamed, discovered, and monetized just like original tracks.
Let’s break down exactly what you need to know to get your covers streaming legally and start earning from your creativity.
Understanding Music Copyright And Cover Song Rights
Before you rush to upload that killer acoustic version of “Bohemian Rhapsody,” you need to understand how music copyright works. Every song has two distinct copyrights: one for the composition (the melody, lyrics, and structure) and another for the sound recording itself.
When you create a cover song, you’re making a new recording of someone else’s composition. This means you own the rights to your specific recording, but the original songwriter still owns the underlying composition. And here’s where it gets interesting: You need permission to use that composition commercially.
What Constitutes A Cover Song
A cover song is any new recording that uses elements from an existing song’s musical composition. This includes the melody, chord progressions, lyrics, or even just the title if it’s distinctive enough. It doesn’t matter if you change the tempo, switch up the genre, or add your own creative flair; if you’re using the bones of someone else’s song, it’s a cover.
Think of it this way: whether you’re doing a faithful recreation or completely reimagining the track as death metal, if listeners can recognize the original song in your version, you’re dealing with a cover that needs proper licensing.
Mechanical Rights Vs Performance Rights
Now for the two types of rights you’ll encounter. Mechanical rights are what you need to reproduce and distribute a song, to make it available for streaming or download. In the US, these work through something called compulsory licensing, which is pretty cool. It means you don’t need to ask the original artist for permission: you just need to follow the proper legal channels and pay the required royalties.
Performance rights are different. These come into play when music is performed publicly, like in venues or on the radio. But here’s the good news: platforms like Spotify handle performance rights through organizations like ASCAP and BMI, so you don’t need to worry about this part when uploading your covers.
Legal Requirements For Releasing Cover Songs
The beauty of US copyright law is that it includes this thing called compulsory licensing. Essentially, once a song has been commercially released, anyone can cover it without needing direct permission from the original artist. You just need to notify the copyright owner and pay the statutory royalty rate, which is currently 9.1 cents per download or stream for songs under five minutes.
But there’s a catch: this only applies to certain territories. The compulsory license typically covers the United States, Canada, Mexico, India, and Pakistan. If you want your cover available worldwide, you might need to exclude other territories or secure additional licensing.
Here’s something that might surprise you: songs in the public domain don’t need any license at all. Generally, this applies to songs where the composer has been dead for 50-70 years, depending on the country. So if you want to cover Mozart or traditional folk songs, you’re usually good to go without any licensing hassles.
The process itself is straightforward. You obtain a mechanical license through services like the Harry Fox Agency or Songfile, pay the required fees, and you’re legally cleared to distribute your cover. Many music distributors now handle this automatically, making the whole process even simpler.
How To Upload Cover Songs To Spotify
Here is a clear breakdown of how to upload a cover song to Spotify so you avoid common mistakes.
- Choose a digital distributor
Music cannot be uploaded directly to Spotify. You must use a distributor such as DistroKid, CD Baby, or TuneCore, which delivers your track to Spotify and other streaming platforms on your behalf. - Prepare a high quality audio file
Export your cover as a lossless file in WAV or FLAC format at 16 bit, 44.1 kHz. This preserves sound quality during upload. Avoid uploading MP3 files, since distributors handle compression for streaming. - Create proper cover artwork
Design a square image in PNG, JPG, or TIFF format. The size should fall between 640 and 10,000 pixels on each side and use the sRGB color space. The artwork should reflect your version of the song and not copy the original release design. - Enter accurate metadata
Credit the original songwriter in the composer field. Use only the song title for the track name without adding “cover” or the original artist, unless your distributor requires it. You can note that it is a cover in the album or release title if needed. - Submit the release through your distributor
Upload your audio, artwork, and metadata through the distributor’s platform. They will handle delivery to Spotify and any other services you select. Processing usually takes a few days to a couple of weeks before the song goes live.
Following these steps helps your cover song meet Spotify’s requirements and reach listeners without delays or takedowns.
Royalties And Revenue From Cover Songs On Spotify
Understanding the money side of cover songs can feel like untangling headphones that have been in your pocket too long, but it’s pretty logical once you break it down. When your cover gets streamed on Spotify, multiple revenue streams come into play.
First, you earn recording royalties for your version. These are the same streaming royalties any artist gets when their music is played on Spotify. The amount varies based on factors like your distributor’s deal with Spotify, the listener’s subscription type, and which country they’re in. Generally, you can expect anywhere from $0.003 to $0.005 per stream.
How Streaming Royalties Work For Covers
Your distributor collects streaming royalties from Spotify and passes them along to you, minus their cut. Some distributors take a percentage, while others charge a flat annual fee and let you keep 100% of the royalties. This is your money for creating and owning the sound recording.
Meanwhile, mechanical royalties for the composition automatically flow to the original songwriter through the licensing system. If you’ve properly licensed the song, these payments happen behind the scenes without any additional action from you.
Payment To Original Songwriters
The original songwriters get their cut through the mechanical license you obtained. When you set up licensing through services like Harry Fox Agency or when your distributor handles it automatically, they ensure the songwriters receive the statutory rate. You’re not responsible for tracking down the original artist and sending them checks; the licensing organizations handle all of that.
This system works out well for everyone. You get to monetize your creative interpretation, the original songwriters get compensated for their composition, and listeners get to enjoy fresh takes on familiar songs. It’s a win-win-win situation when done correctly.
Common Mistakes To Avoid When Uploading Cover Songs
Before uploading a cover song, it helps to know the mistakes that often lead to delays, takedowns, or rejections.
- Skipping the mechanical license
Every cover song requires a mechanical license for distribution. Without it, releases can be blocked in major markets such as the United States or trigger legal issues. If your distributor offers licensing, confirm that it is turned on for your release. - Entering incorrect or incomplete metadata
The original songwriter must be credited correctly in the composer field. Misspellings or missing credits can cause processing issues. Adding extra details like “Cover” or “Originally by” in the track title can also create problems if the distributor already categorizes the song as a cover. - Assuming audio licensing covers music videos
Mechanical licenses apply only to audio distribution. Music videos require a separate synchronization license, which usually involves direct permission from the copyright holder. Uploading a cover video without this license can result in takedowns. - Thinking small changes remove licensing requirements
Altering lyrics or melody does not eliminate the need for a license. Any recognizable use of the original composition still requires proper licensing unless it qualifies as a legal parody. - Using the original artist’s name in misleading ways
Including the original artist’s name in your artist name or album title can confuse listeners. This can lead to rejection by distributors or streaming platforms for misrepresentation.
Avoiding these issues helps your cover release go live smoothly and stay available across streaming platforms.
Conclusion
Putting cover songs on Spotify is not only possible, it is a great way to showcase your artistry while connecting with listeners through familiar music. With the right mechanical license and a reliable distributor, the process is clear and manageable.
You do not need industry connections or legal expertise to release covers properly. Focus on the essentials: secure the correct license, credit the original songwriters, meet distributor requirements, and keep everything above board. Once your cover is live, promotion becomes just as important. Tools like Promoly can help you share your release with DJs, tastemakers, and curators while tracking engagement, making it easier to get your music heard without guesswork.
So pick your song, record your version, and put it out into the world. Your cover might be the one that helps a listener rediscover a favorite track, or turns your interpretation into their new go to version.
