"Lyrics Submission Guidelines: A Review"
Submitting lyrics is a crucial step for ensuring that a song is accurately represented in various platforms and media. Whether it’s for crowd engagement at a live show or for digital distribution on streaming platforms like Apple Music, adhering to specific guidelines ensures consistency and professionalism. Here’s a detailed review of the guidelines for submitting lyrics:
General Formatting:
- The format and structure of lyrics should mirror the song’s composition, with appropriate line and section breaks.
- Each lyric line should be single-spaced, and stanzas should be separated by a double space.
- Identifiers like choruses, verses, tempo changes, and shifts in lyrical delivery should guide the placement of line and section breaks.
Capitalization:
- Capitalization should adhere to traditional grammar rules, with proper nouns and specific instances requiring capital letters.
- Examples include acronyms (NASA), brand names, religious references, and geographical locations.
- The first word contained within parentheses should also be capitalized.
Punctuation:
- Periods and commas should not appear at the end of any lyric line.
- End-line punctuation should be limited to exclamation points, question marks, and quotation marks as needed.
- Hyphens, parentheses, and apostrophes should be used appropriately within the lyrics.
- Hyphens: dropped words, spelled out words, and acronyms (L-Y-R-I-C-S)
- Parentheses: background vocals must be wrapped in parentheses at the end of a line, with the first letter capitalized
- Apostrophe: for certain slang and contractual modifications (’Rari for Ferrari)
Repeated Lines:
- Repeated lines in the song must be written out fully to match the audio, avoiding abbreviations like “Repeat x3.”
Correct:
Don’t go with somebody else
I wanna be your hero my baby
I wanna be your hero my baby
I wanna be your hero my baby
I wanna be your hero my baby
Incorrect:
Don’t go with somebody else
I wanna be your hero my baby
(Repeat x3)
Spoken Word:
Spoken word or conversational content within a song should not be transcribed
Non-Word Vocal Sounds:
- Non-lyrical vocal sounds should be transcribed sparingly if they contribute to the song’s content or style.
- Improvised scatting is considered instrumental content and should not be transcribed.
- Harmonious non-word vocal sounds like “ooh,” “ah,” or onomatopoeia should be included.
- Computer-generated sound effects should not be transcribed.
Clean and Explicit Lyrics:
- The term “clean” should only be used if an explicit version of the track exists.
- In clean lyrics, dropped or edited content should be represented with asterisks.
- In explicit lyrics, all explicit language must be transcribed as heard in the audio, including partially or fully censored words.
If the track is explicit, all explicit language must be transcribed as it is heard in the audio:
Audio: ”I’m the motherfucking man”
Lyrics: I’m the motherfucking man
Partially or fully censored words must be completely starred out with asterisks:
Audio: ”I’m the mother(bleeped out) man”
Lyrics: I’m the **** man
Audio: ”I’m the (bleeped out) man”
Lyrics: I’m the **** man
Time-Sync:
- Time-synced lyrics are implemented at Apple’s editorial discretion and may not be available for all songs.
Following these guidelines ensures that submitted lyrics are accurate, consistent, and suitable for various platforms and audiences.
Correct Format
[Verse 1]
In the depths of my soul, I feel the pain
A love once pure, now stained
Betrayal cuts deep, like a knife
But I’m still holding on, to this fragile life
[Pre-Chorus]
Every beat of my heart, echoes your name
But I know deep down, it’s not the same
The trust we had, shattered and torn
Left me here, feeling so forlorn
[Chorus]
Don’t go with somebody else
I wanna be your hero, my baby
But you’re slipping away, out of sight
Leaving me here, in the cold of the night
[Verse 2]
I see the signs, hear the whispers in the wind
But I cling to hope, refusing to rescind
The love we shared, once so strong
Now feels like a distant, fading song
[Pre-Chorus]
I reach out for you, but you’re out of reach
Lost in a world, I cannot breach
The pain of knowing, you’re not mine
Cuts me deeper, with each passing time
[Chorus]
Don’t go with somebody else
I wanna be your hero, my baby
But you’re slipping away, out of sight
Leaving me here, in the cold of the night
[Bridge]
I try to move on, try to let go
But my heart refuses, it’s a painful blow
I trusted you, with all I had
But you betrayed me, left me feeling so sad
[Chorus]
Don’t go with somebody else
I wanna be your hero, my baby
But you’re slipping away, out of sight
Leaving me here, in the cold of the night
[Outro]
As the stars fade, and the night turns to day
I’ll still be here, waiting for you to stay
But deep down, I know it’s in vain
You’ve already left, and I’m left with the pain