For several channels, especially iTunes, lyrics are among the most relevant metadata fields. If you wish to distribute your content to this channel, please, you must ensure your content includes correctly written lyrics - unless the tracks are instrumental, in which case the lyrics field at track level should be left blank.
- Current supported languages: The languages supported by the QC team are English, Spanish, French, Catalan, Portuguese and Italian. Other languages can still be used, but if they do not follow these requirements strictly, they will not be accepted by iTunes and may be removed from the platform. Remember that instrumental music cannot include lyrics, and its language must always be set to ‘no linguistic content’. Do not enter ‘Instrumental’ or similar expressions in the lyrics field at track level.
- Structure: Lyrics must reflect the structure of the song. Each sentence must be separated by a single space, and each different section (for instance: chorus, verse, bridge…) must be separated by a double space. The first letter of every word at the beginning of a sentence or a parenthesis must be written in capital letters, as well as proper nouns. Please, do not include additional information to the lyrics, such as the chords, the title of the track, the composers, the section of the song, etc. Also, do not write the lyrics only in capital letters or lowercase.
- Punctuation: The punctuation has to follow the grammar rules of each language. However, stops and commas are not allowed at the end of a sentence, neither repeated punctuation (like “??” or “!!”). Ellipses (“...”) are only permitted to indicate a fade out. Expressions like “x2” or “etc.” are forbidden when it comes to a repetition, the lyrics should be written as many times as they are expressed or they should finish with an ellipse if they fade out.
- Secondary content: All the lyrics that are related to the main content of the song must be transcribed.
- Background vocals must be indicated in parenthesis.
- Live speeches must be written as long as they do not interfere in the flow of the song. This is only applied to live content.
- Non-word vocal sounds must be transcribed unless it is improvisation (like scatting) or sound effects.
- Spoken word content must not be transcribed.
- Explicit content must be written as it is heard in the song. Please, do not censor the words unless they are actually censored in the song itself. If a part or a full word has been censored in the audio, the part that is missing has to be replaced by asterisks (for instance, “f***”).
- If there are different languages in the same track, they have to be transcribed following each language rule (not phonetically).
See an example below of a correct way of writing lyrics:
I live for the applause, applause, applause
I live for the applause-plause
Live for the applause-plause
Live for the way that you cheer and scream for me
The applause, applause, applause
Give me that thing that I love (I'll turn the lights out)
Put your hands up, make 'em touch, touch (make it real loud)
Give me that thing that I love (I'll turn the lights out)
Put your hands up, make 'em touch, touch (make it real loud)
(A-P-P-L-A-U-S-E) Make it real loud
(A-P-P-L-A-U-S-E) Put your hands up, make 'em touch, touch
(A-P-P-L-A-U-S-E) Make it real loud
(A-P-P-L-A-U-S-E) Put your hands up, make 'em touch, touch
Please, keep in mind that, since these are optional and not mandatory aspects of a release, our team reserves the right to erase the lyrics of a track or a whole release in case these rules are not strictly followed.