How To Find That Elusive YouTube Song: A Music Detective’s Guide

So, you’ve stumbled upon a YouTube video and a song so catchy, so perfectly aligned with the visuals, that it’s burrowed its way into your brain. You need to know what it is. Fear not, fellow music lover! Identifying that background track isn’t always straightforward, but with the right tools and a dash of detective work, you’ll be humming along to the full version in no time. There are several methods available, ranging from the simple to the more tech-savvy. Here’s your comprehensive guide:

The most direct ways to find a song used in a YouTube video are checking the video description and comment section, using music identification apps like Shazam and SoundHound, and leveraging browser extensions designed for music discovery. If those fail, more advanced techniques such as analyzing the video’s audio spectrum and searching lyrics may be necessary.

Decoding the Melody: Your Toolkit

Let’s break down each method, giving you a clear path to audio enlightenment.

The Obvious Suspects: Description and Comments

Before you dive into complex solutions, always start with the simplest steps. You’d be surprised how often this works!

• The Description Box: The video creator might have explicitly mentioned the song title and artist in the description. This is the most common and easiest way to find the music. Look for phrases like “Music by,” “Song credit,” or simply the song title and artist name. Many creators understand that viewers will be curious and proactively provide this information.
• The Comment Section: Scour the comments! Other viewers might have already asked the same question and received an answer. Use “Ctrl+F” (or “Cmd+F” on a Mac) and search for keywords like “song,” “music,” or “track” within the comments to quickly find relevant discussions.
• Pinned Comments: Sometimes, the video creator will pin a comment with the song information at the top of the comment section. This is a great indicator that the creator anticipated the question.

The Music Recognition Masters: Shazam, SoundHound & Co.

These apps are your sonic sidekicks. They listen to the music and, using advanced algorithms, identify the song in seconds.

• Shazam: Probably the most well-known option. Download the app on your smartphone or tablet. While the YouTube video is playing on your computer (or another device), open Shazam and tap the button to identify the song.
• SoundHound: Similar to Shazam, SoundHound can identify songs playing in the background. It also has the unique ability to identify songs even if you hum or sing a melody. This can be helpful if the YouTube video has significant dialogue or sound effects obscuring the music.
• Google Assistant/Siri: Don’t forget the built-in assistants on your phone! Say “Hey Google, what’s this song?” or “Hey Siri, identify this song.” They use similar technology to Shazam and SoundHound.
• Desktop Versions: Some of these services also have desktop versions or browser extensions that can listen to the audio playing on your computer.

Pro Tip: For best results, minimize background noise when using these apps. Get as close as possible to the speaker playing the YouTube video’s audio.

Browser Extensions: Your Musical Spies

These handy add-ons integrate directly into your browser, making music identification seamless.

• AHA Music Identifier: This Chrome extension is particularly effective. Once installed, it adds a button to your browser toolbar. Simply click the button while the YouTube video is playing, and it will attempt to identify the song.
• MusicID: Another popular Chrome extension designed specifically for identifying music playing in browser tabs.
• Other Extensions: Search the Chrome Web Store or your browser’s extension marketplace for “music identifier” or “song recognition” to find other options.

Key Consideration: Make sure to choose reputable extensions with good reviews to avoid security risks.

Advanced Techniques: When All Else Fails

Sometimes, the song is too obscure or the audio quality too poor for automatic identification. That’s when you need to put on your detective hat.

• Lyric Search: If you can make out any lyrics, even just a phrase or two, try searching for them on Google or a lyrics website like Genius. Surround the lyrics with quotation marks for a more precise search. For example, try searching: “I saw the sun” lyrics.
• Audio Spectrum Analysis (For the Technically Inclined): This involves using audio editing software to analyze the frequencies and patterns of the song. While this is more complex, it can sometimes reveal identifying characteristics that other methods miss. Software like Audacity (free) can be used for this.
• Reverse Image Search (Sometimes!): If the YouTube video features a specific scene, location, or artist unrelated to the music, a reverse image search on Google Images might lead you to information about the source of the video, which in turn might mention the music. This is a long shot, but worth trying in desperate cases.
• Contacting the Video Creator: As a last resort, try contacting the video creator directly through the YouTube comments or their social media channels. Politely ask if they can share the song information. Many creators are happy to help their viewers.

Digging Deeper: Understanding Copyright and Licensing

It’s important to acknowledge that sometimes the song is used without permission.

• Royalty-Free Music: Many YouTubers use royalty-free music from services like Epidemic Sound, Artlist, or PremiumBeat. These services offer a library of music that can be used legally in videos, often with specific licensing terms. If you suspect the song is royalty-free, try searching these platforms using keywords related to the mood or genre of the music.
• Unlicensed Use: Unfortunately, not all YouTubers adhere to copyright laws. Sometimes, music is used without permission. In these cases, finding the song can be difficult, as the creator is unlikely to disclose the source.

The Hunt Continues: Perserverance Pays

Finding that song might take some effort, but don’t give up! Try multiple methods and be persistent. The sweet satisfaction of finally identifying that earworm is well worth the effort. Happy hunting!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Why can’t Shazam identify some songs used in YouTube videos?

Shazam’s database, while extensive, isn’t exhaustive. Obscure tracks, remixes, covers, or songs with heavy effects processing can be difficult for it to identify. Additionally, background noise or poor audio quality in the video can interfere with the identification process.

2. Are music identification apps like Shazam safe to use?

Generally, yes. Shazam and SoundHound are reputable apps. However, always download apps from official app stores (Google Play Store or Apple App Store) to avoid downloading malicious versions. Be mindful of the permissions you grant to the app.

3. What if the song is only a very short snippet in the YouTube video?

Short snippets can be challenging to identify. Try to find the section where the snippet is clearest and loudest. Use music identification apps repeatedly during that section. Focus on melodic or lyrical hooks, if possible. If the snippet is too short, it may be impossible to identify using automated methods.

4. Can I legally use the song if I find it?

Finding the song doesn’t grant you the right to use it. You need to obtain the appropriate licenses or permissions from the copyright holder (usually the artist or record label). Using copyrighted music without permission can result in legal consequences.

5. What are some good alternatives to Shazam and SoundHound?

Besides Google Assistant/Siri, other alternatives include Musixmatch (which focuses heavily on lyrics) and BeatFind (for Android). The best app for you depends on your device, preferences, and the specific challenges of identifying the song.

6. How can I improve the audio quality when using music identification apps?

Close any other apps that might be using your microphone. Get as close as possible to the speaker or headphones playing the YouTube video. Minimize background noise by muting other devices or moving to a quieter location. Increase the volume of the YouTube video without causing distortion.

7. Can I use a VPN to help identify the song?

In some rare cases, yes. If the YouTube video’s music is region-locked or the music identification service has region-specific libraries, using a VPN to connect to a different region might help. However, this is usually not necessary.

8. What if the video creator doesn’t respond to my request for the song information?

Unfortunately, there’s not much you can do. You can try searching online communities or forums related to the video’s topic. Someone else might know the song. Consider giving up and moving on, as there are countless other amazing songs to discover.

9. Are there any websites that can identify songs from YouTube videos?

Yes, several websites offer similar functionality to music identification apps. Some popular options include AudioTag.info and ACRCloud. Simply upload a short clip of the audio from the YouTube video to the website, and it will attempt to identify the song.

10. How do copyright strikes on YouTube affect music identification?

Copyright strikes usually indicate unauthorized use of copyrighted material, including music. If a video has received a copyright strike specifically for the audio, it’s likely the creator didn’t have permission to use the song. This doesn’t directly affect music identification, but it might suggest the song is less likely to be licensed royalty-free music.

11. What if I only remember a few notes of the melody?

Try using online tools that allow you to input a melody by playing notes on a virtual piano or keyboard. Some of these tools can then search for songs that match the melody. Solmire’s Melody Match is one example.

12. Is there a way to find the specific version or remix of a song used in a YouTube video?

This can be tricky. If the music identification app identifies a song but it’s not the exact version, pay close attention to any details provided by the app, such as the release year or album. Search for remixes or covers of that song using keywords like “remix,” “cover,” “acoustic,” or “live version.” Scouring online music databases like Discogs can also be helpful.