You can't add lyrics directly to Spotify itself, but you can create lyrics in Spotify's lyrics feature if the song already has them, or use third-party tools to add lyrics to your local files

Spotify doesn't let you write or upload custom lyrics to songs in the app. What you can do depends on what you're trying to accomplish: if a song already has lyrics in Spotify's database, you can view and sing along to them. If you want to add lyrics to a song that doesn't have them, or create your own version with different lyrics, you'll need to use a separate tool or work with local audio files on your computer.

The most straightforward path is checking whether Spotify already has lyrics for the song you want. If it does, you can access them directly in the app. If not, you have a few options — none of them happen inside Spotify itself.

Key Takeaways

  • Spotify displays lyrics for many songs if they're already in the database, but you access them through the app's built-in lyrics feature, not by adding them yourself.
  • You cannot upload custom lyrics or create new lyrics directly in Spotify, whether you're on mobile, desktop, or web.
  • If you want to add lyrics to a local audio file and play it through Spotify, you can use desktop tagging software like MusicBrainz Picard or MediaInfo to embed lyrics into the file's metadata.
  • Third-party lyrics databases like Genius, AZLyrics, or LyricFind can show you lyrics for songs that Spotify hasn't indexed yet, but these are separate from Spotify itself.

How to view lyrics that Spotify already has

If a song has lyrics in Spotify's system, you can see them while the song plays. On mobile, open the song and tap the lyrics icon — it looks like a speech bubble or quotation mark, usually in the bottom right of the now-playing screen. On desktop, click the lyrics button in the now-playing bar at the bottom of the window. On the web player, the lyrics button appears in the player controls.

Not every song has lyrics available. Spotify sources lyrics from services like Genius and AZLyrics, so older songs, very new releases, or songs with limited distribution may not have them yet. If you don't see a lyrics button, that song doesn't have lyrics indexed in Spotify's system.

Adding lyrics to your own audio files for Spotify

If you have an audio file on your computer — an MP3, FLAC, or WAV file — you can embed lyrics into the file itself using tagging software, then add that file to Spotify as a local file. This is different from uploading to Spotify; you're storing the file locally and telling Spotify to play it from your computer.

Download MusicBrainz Picard, a free desktop application that lets you edit audio file metadata, including lyrics. Open the program, drag your audio file into it, and look for a lyrics field in the metadata editor. Paste or type the lyrics you want, save the file, and then add that file to Spotify by going to Settings > Local Files on desktop, turning on "Local Files," and pointing Spotify to the folder where you saved the audio file. The song will then appear in your library and play with the embedded lyrics.

This method only works on desktop Spotify, and the file must be on your computer — you can't sync local files to mobile or use them offline on phones. If you switch computers or reinstall Spotify, you'll need to re-add the local files folder.

Why you can't upload lyrics directly to Spotify

Spotify's lyrics come from licensed data partners, not from user submissions. This protects the platform from copyright issues and ensures lyrics are accurate and legally cleared. Allowing users to upload custom lyrics would create liability and moderation problems, so Spotify doesn't offer that feature.

If you think a song is missing lyrics that should be there, you can report it to Spotify through the app — tap the three dots on a song and select "Report a Problem" — but you can't submit the lyrics yourself. Spotify's team reviews reports and works with their data partners to add missing lyrics over time.

Using third-party lyrics sites alongside Spotify

If Spotify doesn't have lyrics for a song you want, you can find them on separate websites and read them while Spotify plays. Genius, AZLyrics, and LyricFind are large lyrics databases that often have songs Spotify hasn't indexed yet. Search the song title and artist on any of these sites, and you'll usually find the lyrics displayed in a readable format.

Some music players like Plex or VLC can display lyrics from external sources while playing local files, but these are separate applications from Spotify. If you want lyrics displayed while using Spotify specifically, you'll need to keep a lyrics website open in another browser tab or window.

Lyrics features that Spotify does offer

Beyond viewing lyrics, Spotify has a few related features worth knowing about. You can search for songs by lyrics using Spotify's search bar — type a phrase you remember from a song, and Spotify will try to find it. You can also use voice search on mobile to hum or sing a melody, and Spotify will suggest songs that match.

Spotify also shows you which songs you've listened to most and lets you create playlists based on mood or genre, which can help you discover new music even if you're not looking for specific lyrics. These features don't let you add or edit lyrics, but they do make it easier to find and organize music.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add lyrics to a song on Spotify for other people to see?

No. Spotify doesn't allow user-submitted lyrics. Only Spotify's data partners can add lyrics to the platform, and those changes apply to everyone. You can't create a custom version that other users will see.

Will my local audio files with embedded lyrics sync to my phone?

Local files don't sync to mobile devices through Spotify. They only play on the computer where the files are stored. If you want to play them on your phone, you'd need to use a different music app that supports local files, like Plex or Poweramp.

What if I want to create a karaoke version with lyrics?

Spotify doesn't have a karaoke feature. You'd need to use a dedicated karaoke app or download the song from another source and use karaoke software like Audacity or Karafun. Some streaming services like YouTube Music have karaoke-style features, but Spotify does not.

Can I see lyrics for songs in other languages?

Yes, if Spotify has them. Lyrics availability depends on the song's popularity and whether Spotify's data partners have indexed it, not on the language. Some languages have better coverage than others, but you can view lyrics for songs in many languages if they're in the system.

Why does Spotify show different lyrics than other websites?

Spotify sources lyrics from specific licensed partners, while other websites may pull from different sources or user submissions. Lyrics can vary slightly between sources due to transcription differences or different versions of a song. If you notice a major error, you can report it through Spotify's feedback system.