Spotify shows lyrics for most songs, but you cannot add or edit them yourself
Spotify displays lyrics on its app and web player for millions of songs, but the lyrics come from licensed lyrics providers like Genius and Musixmatch — not from users. You cannot upload, write, or correct lyrics through Spotify's interface. If a song is missing lyrics or they contain errors, your only option is to report the problem to Spotify, which may then contact the lyrics provider to fix it.
This matters because Spotify's lyrics feature depends entirely on what those third-party companies have licensed and verified. A song might have lyrics on one streaming service but not another, or the lyrics might be incomplete or wrong. Understanding how Spotify sources lyrics explains why some songs show them and others do not, and what you can actually do about it.
Key Takeaways
- Spotify gets lyrics from licensed providers like Genius and Musixmatch, not from user submissions, so you cannot add lyrics yourself through the app.
- To view lyrics on Spotify, open a song and tap the lyrics icon (a speech bubble or lines icon, depending on your device), which appears only if lyrics are available.
- If a song is missing lyrics or they are wrong, you can report it to Spotify through the song menu, and Spotify may contact the lyrics provider to update it.
- Lyrics availability varies by song, artist, and region, so a song might have lyrics on Spotify but not on another streaming service, or vice versa.
How to view lyrics on Spotify
Open any song in the Spotify app or web player. On mobile, look for a speech bubble icon or lines icon near the bottom of the now-playing screen — tap it to open the lyrics panel. On desktop, the lyrics button usually appears in the player controls or in the sidebar. If you do not see a lyrics button, that song does not have lyrics available on Spotify yet.
The lyrics panel shows the words in real time as the song plays, and they highlight as each line is sung. You can scroll through the full lyrics even if the song is paused. On some devices, you can tap a lyric line to jump to that moment in the song. If the lyrics panel does not appear even though you see the button, try closing and reopening the song, or update your Spotify app to the latest version.
Why some songs have lyrics and others do not
Spotify's lyrics come from Genius, Musixmatch, and other licensed providers who own or have permission to display the words. These companies negotiate rights with music publishers and rights holders — the people and organizations who control the lyrics legally. Not every song has been licensed to these providers yet, especially very new releases, very old recordings, or songs from smaller independent artists.
A song might also have lyrics on one streaming service but not Spotify, because each service negotiates different licensing deals. Musixmatch might have licensed a song to Apple Music but not yet to Spotify, or vice versa. Regional differences also matter: a song might have lyrics available in the United States but not in other countries, depending on where the lyrics provider has secured rights.
How to report missing or incorrect lyrics
If a song is missing lyrics or the lyrics contain errors, open the song and tap the three-dot menu (or right-click on desktop). Look for an option like "Report a problem" or "Report an issue." Select it and choose "Lyrics" or "Song information" from the category list. Describe the problem — for example, "Lyrics are missing" or "The lyrics are incorrect starting at verse two" — and submit.
Spotify receives these reports and may pass them to the lyrics provider (Genius, Musixmatch, or another company) to investigate and fix. There is no may provide the lyrics will be updated, and it may take weeks or months if they are. The lyrics provider has to verify the correction is accurate before publishing it, which is why the process is slow. If you see the same error on multiple songs, it may indicate a broader issue with how that provider sourced the lyrics.
What you can do if you want to contribute lyrics
You cannot add lyrics to Spotify directly, but you can contribute to the sources Spotify uses. Genius and Musixmatch both accept user contributions on their own websites and apps. If you create an account on Genius.com, you can add or edit lyrics for songs in their database. Musixmatch also has a community of users who contribute and verify lyrics through their platform.
Keep in mind that both services have moderation processes: your contributions will be reviewed before they appear, and they must match the actual song lyrics word-for-word. Submitting incorrect or made-up lyrics will be rejected. If your contribution is accepted by Genius or Musixmatch, it may eventually appear on Spotify and other services that license from those providers, but there is no timeline for when that happens.
Lyrics availability on different Spotify plans
Lyrics are available on all Spotify plans — Free, Premium, and Family — so you do not need a paid subscription to read them. The lyrics feature works the same way regardless of which plan you use. The only difference is that Premium subscribers can read songs for offline listening, but lyrics do not read with them; you need an internet connection to view lyrics even on Premium.
Some older devices or very outdated versions of the Spotify app may not support the lyrics feature at all. If you cannot find the lyrics button on a song that you know has lyrics available, try updating your app or switching to the web player at spotify.com. The web player usually has the most up-to-date features.
Why Spotify uses licensed lyrics instead of user submissions
Lyrics are protected by copyright law, and music publishers own the right to display them. Spotify cannot let users upload lyrics freely because that would create legal liability — the company could be sued for copyright infringement if someone uploaded lyrics they did not have permission to share. By licensing from Genius and Musixmatch, Spotify ensures the lyrics are legally authorized and verified as accurate.
This also protects you: when you read lyrics on Spotify, you know they are the official words to the song, not a fan's interpretation or a transcription with mistakes. The trade-off is that some songs take longer to get lyrics, and you cannot fix errors yourself. But it keeps both Spotify and the artists who created the songs legally protected.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I read lyrics from Spotify to use offline?
No. Even if you read a song for offline listening on Spotify Premium, the lyrics do not read with it. You need an active internet connection to view lyrics. If you want to save lyrics, you can copy them from the lyrics panel and paste them into a notes app, or use a lyrics website like Genius or AZLyrics.
Why do some lyrics have a different version than what I hear in the song?
Spotify may show the official studio version lyrics, but the version you are listening to might be a live recording, remix, or alternate take with slightly different words. The lyrics provider licenses the official version, so edits or ad-libs in other versions do not always get reflected. If the lyrics are significantly different, you can report it and note which version you are hearing.
Do lyrics work on Spotify for podcasts or audiobooks?
No. The lyrics feature only works for music tracks. Podcasts and audiobooks do not have a lyrics panel, even though some may have transcripts available through other services.
Can I see lyrics for songs in languages other than English?
Yes, if the lyrics provider has licensed them. Genius and Musixmatch have lyrics in many languages, including Spanish, French, German, Japanese, and others. Availability depends on which language and which song — some languages have more complete coverage than others.
What happens if an artist wants to correct their own lyrics on Spotify?
The artist would need to contact the lyrics provider (Genius or Musixmatch) directly, not Spotify. Spotify does not manage the lyrics themselves — they only display what the licensed providers give them. Artists can create accounts on Genius or Musixmatch to verify their own songs and make corrections through those platforms.