Ever played a track on Spotify and watched the lyrics scroll in real time? It’s one of the most engaging features for fans, and a powerful tool for artists. Having your lyrics visible makes your music more interactive, helps listeners connect emotionally, and even boosts discoverability.
But if you’re an independent artist, you might be wondering: how do I get my lyrics on Spotify? The process is simple once you know the steps.
Why Adding Lyrics on Spotify Helps Artists
Lyrics aren’t just decoration, they’re a part of your storytelling. On Spotify, they can:
- Make your songs more memorable as fans sing along.
- Increase engagement (fans are more likely to save and share when they connect with words).
- Add professionalism to your artist profile.
- Help listeners discover you if they search for lyrics online.
In short, lyrics make your music more accessible and give fans another way to connect.
The Tool You’ll Need: Musixmatch
Spotify doesn’t let artists upload lyrics directly. Instead, it partners with Musixmatch, a lyrics catalog and distribution service. That means the first step is setting up an account there.
Step 1: Create a Musixmatch account
Go to Musixmatch for Artists and claim your artist profile.
Step 2: Get verified
Submit proof (via Spotify for Artists or social links) so Musixmatch knows you are the official owner of your music. Verification usually takes a few days.
Step 3: Add your lyrics
Once verified, you can add lyrics manually for each of your songs. You’ll need to:
- Copy/paste your lyrics.
- Break them into lines for proper display.
- Ensure they are error-free and match the recording.
Step 4: Sync your lyrics
Musixmatch allows you to “time-sync” lyrics so they scroll in real time with your song. This creates the karaoke-style effect on Spotify.
Formatting Tips for Spotify Lyrics
To make sure your lyrics display correctly:
- Don’t include extra formatting like ALL CAPS or emojis.
- Match the audio exactly (no missing or rearranged words).
- Use proper spelling: errors can reduce approval chances.
- Avoid extra annotations (Spotify only shows clean text).
Musixmatch has clear guidelines; sticking to them ensures your lyrics go live quickly.
Common Issues and Fixes
- Lyrics not showing up? It can take a few days after submission for Spotify to update.
- Wrong lyrics displayed? Claim your artist page and edit them in Musixmatch.
- Song not found? Ensure your distributor has delivered the track to Spotify first; Musixmatch only recognizes published music.
- Rejected lyrics? Double-check formatting, accuracy, and compliance with Musixmatch rules.
Alternatives and Additional Platforms
Adding lyrics through Musixmatch will also make them appear on Instagram, Facebook, and Apple Music, since these platforms also pull from Musixmatch’s database. This means a single submission can boost your reach across multiple channels.
Other platforms like Genius allow you to upload annotated lyrics, which can complement your Musixmatch submission and help SEO when fans Google your lyrics.
In Conclusion
For independent musicians, uploading lyrics to Spotify is a simple step that pays off in fan engagement and professionalism. By using Musixmatch, you can ensure your listeners not only hear your music but also connect with the words behind it.
Pair your synced lyrics with a strong release plan, including tools like IndieStar’s playlist submissions, and you’ll give your fans both something to listen to and something to sing along with.
Because in 2025, making music interactive is one of the best ways to turn listeners into fans.
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