We get contacted regularly by artists that cover a song need a license. As we're discussing their project with them, the artist suddenly hits us with those fateful words...
"I changed the lyrics."
If you have changed the lyrics in your rendition of someone else's song, your cover song is no longer considered a cover song, and it is no longer eligible for a compulsory mechanical license. In the instance of a lyric change, you would require direct permission from the rights holder(s).
But that doesn't mean you can't obtain a license with us. It just means you have a different route to take in order to obtain permission for your cover song with changed lyrics.
Sometimes, your lyric changes will be minimal, like changing a pronoun or proper name. Other times, your lyric changes might include a completely changed line or an additional verse. Each lyric change request will be unique to you and the original songwriter.
Now, we won't beat around the bush... lyric changes aren't the easiest request to clear. A lyric change is considered a custom license that requires us to negotiate directly with publishers. However, we make it as easy and affordable as possible for you to get to the finish line, and we wouldn't offer the service if we weren't capable.
- Our fee for custom licenses/lyric changes is $100. That is it. We do not charge a percentage of any negotiated rate with the publisher. Our $100 fee is also lower than any other company that charges for a service like this.
- If we do not receive a response from the publisher(s) regarding your request, you receive your $100 back. Why should we charge you for a service that wasn't completed?
- Before we even invoice you for our custom license services, we will look up the publisher(s) and let you know how confident we are in getting a response. If the publisher has let us know that lyric changes are a hard "No" from them, there is no point in taking your money, and we will help you explore other options free of charge.
At Affordable Song Licensing, we are artists, here to help you navigate the murky waters of cover song licensing for the lowest price. Questions about your lyric changes or cover song project? Give us a call at 323-776-6475 or email us at hello@affordablesonglicensing.com.
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Section 115 of the Copyright Act states - A compulsory license includes the privilege of making a musical arrangement of the work to the extent necessary to conform it to the style or manner of interpretation of the performance involved, but the arrangement shall not change the basic melody or fundamental character of the work, and shall not be subject to protection as a derivative work under this title, except with the express consent of the copyright owner.
Can I change the lyrics to my cover song?
