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Have you ever heard a catchy song or tune playing in a coffee shop, on the radio, or in a friend’s video and wondered, “What song is this?” It gets stuck in your head, but you don’t have the lyrics to search, frustrating, right?
The good news is you don’t need to guess anymore.
With the right tools like Shazam, SoundHound, and a clear audio sample, you can identify almost any song in seconds. Whether you’re using your phone, laptop, or even a clear mic like the Hollyland LARK A1, this step-by-step guide will help you figure it out with ease.
Step-by-Step: Identify a Song from Any Audio Clip Online
Let’s walk through each tool and show you, step by step, how to use them to find any song in seconds.
- Using Shazam (iOS, Android, Mac)
Shazam is a mobile app that quickly identifies songs by listening through your phone’s mic. It matches the audio to its database and shows you the track name, artist, and more. You can use it on both iOS and Android, and it also works on Mac. Here’s how to use it step by step:
- Download the Shazam app from the App Store or Google Play. Before playing audio, the app should be working in the background.
- Open it and tap the big Shazam icon to start identification.
- Hold your phone near the audio source. If audio is in your phone, keep playing it in the background; Shazam will start identifying.
- Within seconds, it will show you the song’s title, artist, and various options to play it in apps like Apple Music or Spotify. You can also add it to your Shazam playlist.
Shazam in Control Center (for iPhone Users)
If you’re an iPhone user, you can add the Shazam button directly to your Control Center, and it will automatically listen to the music for you, whether it’s from Instagram Reels, TikToks, or background music. Here’s how it works:
- Tap the “Music Recognition” (Shazam) icon in Control Center. Shazam starts listening right away.
- When a song is recognized, you’ll get a banner notification that says “Name of Song – Artist.” This is effectively your “new match” alert.
- You can either expand the notification or tap it to open Shazam and view the track details.
Bonus: Shazam also works even when you’re not connected to the internet. If you’re in a place with poor signal, just tap to Shazam as usual. It will save the audio sample and identify the song later when you’re back online. It’s a great option for travelers or anyone dealing with spotty connections.
2. Use Your Voice Assistant to Identify Songs (Google & Siri on Android/iOS)
Voice assistants like Google Assistant, Google Search, or Siri are great options when you don’t know the lyrics but can hum or sing part of the tune. They’re simple to use and work well on both Android and iOS devices. Here’s how to try them:
Google Assistant
- Activate Google Assistant by saying “Hey Google.”
- Ask, “What song is this?” or “What’s playing?”
- Let Google listen to the audio.
- View results with links to streaming platforms
Google Search
- Open Google Search
- Tap the microphone icon
- Say, “What song is this?”
- Keep your audio source near.
- Allow Google to listen to the audio
Siri (iOS)
Siri makes song identification easy for Apple users by using built-in Shazam technology. You don’t need to download anything; just use your voice to ask, and Siri will handle the rest. It’s quick, hands-free, and perfect for iPhones, iPads, and even Macs.
- Say, “Hey Siri, what song is this?”
- Siri will listen to the music and identify it.
Works best when the music is playing clearly in the background.
3. Using SoundHound (Web, iOS, Android)
SoundHound is a music app that finds songs based on your voice. Here’s how to use it:
- Install the SoundHound app.
- Tap the orange button and start humming or recording.
- Get song results instantly.
4. AudD Music Recognition (Chrome Extension, API)
AudD Music Recognition is a powerful tool for identifying songs directly from your browser or through custom apps. Here’s how to put it to work in a few easy steps:
- Add the AudD extension to your browser or use their API.
- Play the audio on your computer.
- Click the extension to recognize the song.
- It instantly identifies the song, shows the lyrics, and provides links to Apple Music, Spotify, or YouTube Music.
5. Using Musixmatch (Windows, Mac, iOS, Android)
Musixmatch is great when you remember a line or two from a song but not the title. It lets you search by lyrics, making it easy to identify songs stuck in your head. Here’s how to use it:
- Download the app or visit the website
- Type in any lyrics you remember
- Browse through matching songs
- Use the “Identify” feature for audio recognition
Tips for Better Song Identification
Getting good and perfect results doesn’t just depend on the app you use; it also depends on the quality of the audio you give. If your audio is so noisy, it will not give you perfect results. Here are some tips for better song identification:
- Keep It Quiet Around You: Avoid loud background noises while using apps.
- Capture at Least 10 Seconds: Most apps need at least 10–15 seconds of clear audio.
- Use quality microphones: Professional-grade equipment like the Hollyland LARK A1 ensures crystal-clear audio capture, making it easier for identification algorithms to analyze the unique characteristics of the music.
- Get close to the source: Position your device near the speakers or audio source
- Avoid covering microphones: Keep your hands away from device microphones
- Capture distinctive parts: Focus on chorus or unique instrumental sections
- Avoid transitions: Skip fade-ins, fade-outs, or mixing transitions
- Try different tools: Each service has different strengths and databases
- Record different sections: Try chorus, verse, and instrumental parts
- Use various devices: Sometimes different microphones give better results
- Check multiple times: Background noise might affect initial attempts
Conclusion
Finding a song from just a short audio clip is no longer a challenge. Thanks to smart tools like Shazam, Google, and SoundHound, you can now identify songs in seconds. Whether a tune is stuck in your head or playing in a café, these apps make it easy to track it down. Just ensure the audio is clear for the best results. So next time you hear a song you love, you’ll know exactly how to find it.
FAQs
Can I identify a song if I only remember the tune but can’t hum it properly?
If you can’t hum it clearly, most apps like Google Assistant or SoundHound may struggle to find the exact match. However, you can try typing any lyrics you remember into Google or search for similar songs by genre, artist, or mood. Sometimes even searching with a few guessed words can lead you to the right track.
Is there a tool that works best for 90s or early 2000s tracks?
Yes! Shazam, SoundHound, and Musixmatch have large databases that include many tracks from the 90s and early 2000s. For older hits, YouTube and Reddit communities can also be surprisingly helpful.
Can I use these tools on desktop or only on mobile?
Many song identification tools are available on both desktop and mobile. For example, Shazam has a Mac app, and SoundHound works directly in any browser on Windows or Mac. Google Assistant and SoundHound are mostly mobile-based, but you can record audio on desktop and upload it later if needed.
