How To Find Music in a YouTube Video: The Definitive Guide

So, you’ve stumbled upon a YouTube video with a killer track and now you’re on a mission to identify it. Fear not, music-loving sleuth! Discovering the soundtrack to your latest obsession is easier than you think. There are several methods available, ranging from simple checks to more advanced techniques, allowing you to uncover the musical gems hidden within the vast YouTube library.

The most direct ways to find music in a YouTube video include:

1. Check the Video Description: This is the first and most crucial step. Most content creators diligently list the music they use in their videos, often including the artist, song title, and sometimes even links to purchase or stream the track. Look for sections labeled “Music,” “Soundtrack,” or “Songs Used.”
2. Read the Comments Section: Fellow viewers are often just as curious as you are. Someone may have already identified the song and posted the information in the comments. Look for comments asking about the music or providing answers.
3. Use Music Identification Apps: Apps like Shazam, SoundHound, and Google Assistant (with song identification) are your sonic superheroes. Simply play the YouTube video near your phone or device, and the app will listen and attempt to identify the song.
4. Explore YouTube’s Audio Library: If the video creator is using royalty-free music from YouTube’s Audio Library, you might be able to find the song by searching the library using keywords or descriptions that match the video’s content.
5. Try Lyrics Search: If you can catch a few discernible lyrics, plug them into a search engine like Google or DuckDuckGo, followed by the word “lyrics.” This often leads you directly to the song title and artist.
6. Advanced Search Techniques: If all else fails, consider using advanced search techniques on Google or other search engines. Try combining keywords related to the video’s content with terms like “music,” “song,” or “soundtrack.” For example, if the video is about skateboarding, search “Skateboarding video music” or “Skateboarding soundtrack.”

Let’s delve deeper into each of these methods to equip you with the knowledge to successfully identify almost any song used in a YouTube video.

Decoding the Mystery: Finding Music, Step-by-Step

The Obvious: The Video Description

Don’t underestimate the power of a well-crafted video description. Many creators understand the importance of crediting the music they use. Scroll down below the video and expand the description. Look for sections with headings like:

• Music By:
• Songs Used:
• Soundtrack:
• Featured Music:

You’ll often find a meticulously curated list of tracks, complete with artist names, song titles, and even links to streaming platforms like Spotify or Apple Music. Consider this your first port of call.

Tapping into the Collective Intelligence: The Comments Section

The YouTube community is a vibrant ecosystem of shared knowledge. Often, viewers are quick to ask about the music playing in a video. Scan the comments section for questions like:

• “What’s the song playing at [timestamp]?”
• “Anyone know the name of the track?”
• “Loving the music in this video!”

And, more importantly, look for replies providing the answers. You might be surprised how often someone has already done the detective work for you.

The Sonic Superheroes: Music Identification Apps

This is where technology comes to the rescue. Shazam is arguably the most popular music identification app. SoundHound is another excellent alternative, and Google Assistant (or Siri) can also identify songs. The process is simple:

1. Download and install the app on your smartphone or tablet.
2. Open the app and activate the listening feature (usually a button with a music note).
3. Play the YouTube video near your device.
4. The app will listen to the music and attempt to identify the song.

These apps use sophisticated algorithms to analyze the audio and match it to a vast database of songs. They are remarkably accurate and can often identify songs even in noisy environments.

The Royalty-Free Route: YouTube’s Audio Library

Many YouTubers utilize the royalty-free music available in YouTube’s Audio Library. If the video you’re watching is likely to have used this resource (e.g., how-to videos, vlogs, etc.), try browsing the library. You can filter by genre, mood, instrument, and other criteria to narrow your search. It’s a bit like finding a needle in a haystack, but if the creator is using royalty-free tracks, this is a viable option.

The Power of Lyrics: Searching for a Snippet

Did you catch a few lines of the song? Even a small fragment of lyrics can be enough to identify the track. Type the lyrics into a search engine like Google, DuckDuckGo, or even YouTube itself, followed by the word “lyrics.” For example:

• “I can see clearly now the rain is gone lyrics”

The search results will usually point you directly to the song title and artist. This method is particularly effective for popular songs or those with unique lyrics.

Beyond the Obvious: Advanced Search Techniques

If none of the above methods work, it’s time to get creative with your search terms. Think about the video’s content and try combining relevant keywords with music-related terms. For example:

• “Travel vlog music upbeat”
• “Gaming montage soundtrack 2023”
• “Cooking show intro song”

Experiment with different combinations of keywords to refine your search. You can also use Google’s advanced search operators (e.g., using quotation marks for exact phrase matches) to further improve your results.

FAQs: Your Burning Music Identification Questions Answered

Here are some frequently asked questions to further assist you in your quest to uncover the music in YouTube videos:

1. What if the music is very obscure or not well-known?

Even lesser-known tracks can often be identified using music identification apps. However, in these cases, try more specific search terms combining the video’s topic with musical descriptors (e.g., “indie rock skateboarding video”). Also, consider reaching out to the video creator directly.

2. Can I use music identification apps on my computer?

Yes, some music identification apps have desktop versions or browser extensions. You can also use the built-in song identification feature of Google Assistant on Chrome.

3. What if the music is only a short snippet?

Music identification apps can often identify songs even from short snippets. However, the longer the snippet, the more accurate the identification.

4. Is it legal to use music from YouTube videos?

Generally, no. Using copyrighted music without permission is illegal. Always obtain the necessary licenses or permissions before using music in your own projects.

5. How can I contact the video creator to ask about the music?

You can usually leave a comment on the video or find their contact information (e.g., email address, social media links) in the “About” section of their channel.

6. What if the video creator doesn’t respond to my inquiry?

Unfortunately, sometimes video creators don’t respond. In this case, exhaust all other search methods before giving up.

7. Are there any online communities dedicated to identifying music in videos?

Yes, there are several online forums and communities where people help each other identify music in videos. Search for “music identification forum” or “name that song” on Google.

8. Can YouTube’s Content ID system help me find the music?

YouTube’s Content ID system is primarily designed to identify and manage copyrighted content. While it doesn’t directly help you find music, it can sometimes provide clues about the song title and artist if the video has been flagged for copyright infringement.

9. What if the music is a remix or cover version?

Identifying remixes and cover versions can be tricky. Try searching for the lyrics or using music identification apps, but also include the terms “remix” or “cover” in your search.

10. Is it possible to identify music from a livestream?

Yes, you can use music identification apps to identify music playing during a livestream. However, the identification may be less accurate due to the live environment.

11. What are some good alternative music identification apps to Shazam and SoundHound?

Other popular options include Musixmatch, BeatFind, and Genius. Each app has its own strengths and weaknesses, so it’s worth trying a few different ones.

12. Are there any ethical considerations when trying to identify music in a video?

Respect the video creator’s intellectual property. Only use the identified music for personal listening or for purposes that comply with copyright law. Don’t redistribute or use the music commercially without permission.

By employing these strategies and answering these frequently asked questions, you’ll dramatically increase your chances of unearthing the musical gems hidden within YouTube videos. Happy hunting!