Spotify shows lyrics for most songs, but you cannot add or edit them yourself
Spotify displays lyrics built into the app for millions of songs, but the lyrics come from Spotify's licensing partners — not from users. You cannot upload your own lyrics, correct existing ones, or add lyrics to songs that do not have them yet. If a song is missing lyrics or they are wrong, you can report the problem to Spotify, and they will investigate with their lyrics provider.
The lyrics feature works on Spotify's mobile app, desktop app, and web player, though the way you access it differs slightly depending on which device you use. Lyrics appear in real time as the song plays, synced to the exact moment each line is sung.
Key Takeaways
- Spotify gets lyrics from licensed providers, not from users, so you cannot add or edit lyrics yourself.
- To view lyrics on mobile, open a song and tap the microphone icon at the bottom of the now-playing screen.
- On desktop, click the lyrics icon (a speech bubble) on the right side of the now-playing bar while a song is playing.
- If lyrics are missing or incorrect, use Spotify's feedback tool to report the problem directly to their lyrics provider.
- Not every song has lyrics available yet — availability depends on licensing agreements with Spotify's partners.
How to view lyrics on your phone
Open Spotify and start playing any song. Look at the bottom of the now-playing screen — you will see a microphone icon. Tap it, and the lyrics will appear on a full screen, scrolling in real time as the song plays. The current line is highlighted so you always know where you are in the song.
To close the lyrics view, swipe down or tap the X button at the top. You can also tap the album art to go back to the regular now-playing screen. On some phones, you may need to scroll down on the now-playing screen first to see the microphone icon — it is not always visible at the very top.
How to view lyrics on your computer
Play a song in Spotify on your desktop or web player. On the right side of the now-playing bar at the bottom of the screen, you will see a small speech bubble icon. Click it to open the lyrics panel on the right side of your screen. The lyrics scroll automatically as the song plays, with the current line highlighted.
To close the lyrics panel, click the speech bubble icon again. The lyrics panel stays open while you browse other parts of Spotify, so you can look at playlists or search for new songs while still reading along with what is playing.
What to do if a song has no lyrics
Not every song on Spotify has lyrics available. This happens because Spotify's lyrics come from licensed partners, and not all songs have been licensed yet. Newer releases, very old recordings, and songs from smaller artists are more likely to be missing lyrics.
If you notice a song is missing lyrics, you can report it. Open the song, tap the three dots (on mobile) or right-click (on desktop), and select "Report a Problem." Choose "Missing lyrics" from the menu. Spotify will pass your report to their lyrics provider, who will investigate and add the lyrics if they can obtain the rights.
What to do if lyrics are wrong or out of sync
Sometimes lyrics appear but they are incorrect, incomplete, or out of sync with the music. Use the same reporting process: tap or right-click the three dots next to the song title, select "Report a Problem," and choose "Incorrect lyrics" or "Out of sync lyrics" depending on what you see.
Spotify cannot fix lyrics directly — they pass reports to their licensing partners, who own the lyrics data. This means corrections can take time, and some reports may not result in changes if the partner disagrees about what is correct. Still, reporting helps Spotify identify which songs need attention.
Why you cannot add your own lyrics
Spotify's lyrics feature is powered by licensed data providers who have the legal right to display song lyrics. Allowing users to add or edit lyrics would create legal and accuracy problems — Spotify would have to verify every submission, and they would be responsible for ensuring the lyrics are correct and properly licensed.
This is different from some other music services or lyrics websites that crowdsource lyrics from users. Spotify chose a licensed approach to ensure accuracy and to protect artists and songwriters. If you want to contribute lyrics to music, sites like Genius or AZLyrics have user-submission systems, but those are separate from Spotify.
Lyrics availability by region and subscription type
Lyrics are available to all Spotify users — free and paid — in most countries where Spotify operates. However, availability can vary by region because lyrics licensing agreements differ by country. In some regions, lyrics may be unavailable for certain songs due to local licensing restrictions.
Your subscription type (free or premium) does not affect whether you can see lyrics. The only difference is that premium users can use Spotify offline, so they can read lyrics for downloaded songs even without an internet connection. Free users need an active connection to view lyrics.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I see lyrics for songs I have downloaded offline?
Yes, if you are a premium subscriber. Downloaded songs keep their lyrics cached on your device, so you can read them without an internet connection. Free users cannot download songs, so this does not apply to them.
Why do some songs show lyrics but others do not?
Spotify's lyrics partners have not licensed every song yet. Newer songs, older recordings, and songs from independent artists are more likely to be missing. You can report missing lyrics through the three-dot menu, and Spotify will ask their provider to add them.
Can I print or save the lyrics I see on Spotify?
Spotify does not have a built-in print or save feature for lyrics. You can take screenshots on your phone or computer, but copying and pasting lyrics from Spotify is not supported. If you need lyrics for personal use, check licensed lyrics sites like Genius or AZLyrics.
Do lyrics work on Spotify Connect or when playing on other devices?
Lyrics only appear on the device you are actively controlling Spotify from. If you are playing music on a smart speaker or TV through Spotify Connect, you cannot see lyrics on that device — you would need to open Spotify on your phone or computer to read them.
What languages are lyrics available in?
Lyrics are available in the original language of each song. If a song is sung in English, you will see English lyrics. Spotify does not provide translations, and lyrics in languages other than the original depend on what their licensing partners have licensed.