We offer free distribution of your music to all of the world’s top stores and streaming services, and we can send your cover songs of other artists too.

Ever recorded your own version of a song you love and wondered whether you can actually release it on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music and other streaming services?

The good news is: yes, you can.

At RouteNote, we make it easy to distribute cover songs to the world’s biggest music platforms. Whether you’ve turned a classic into an acoustic ballad, reimagined a pop hit in your own style, or simply want to share your take on a favourite track, we’ll help you get it out into the world.

Before you upload your cover song, there are a few important things to understand about licensing, metadata and store requirements. Don’t worry, though – it’s much simpler than many artists expect.

In this guide, we’ll explain:

What counts as a cover song?

A cover song is a brand new recording of a song that was originally written or performed by someone else.

Maybe you’ve recorded a piano version of a rock anthem. Perhaps you’ve transformed a pop hit into a metal track. Or, maybe you’ve faithfully recreated a song that inspired you to start making music in the first place.

If you’re recording your own version of an existing composition, you’re creating a cover song.

Even if you perform an original song, but include a small amount of an existing song (say a riff, or one line of a melody), it will be considered as a cover.

The important thing is that you’re creating a completely new recording. You cannot use any part of the original audio recording without the appropriate permissions.

Do I need a mechanical licence?

Not always.

Many artists distribute cover songs through RouteNote without obtaining a mechanical licence, provided they’re only distributing to eligible stores and territories.

However, if you’d like your cover song to be available in additional stores and territories around the world, you’ll usually need a mechanical licence.

If you’re working with a record label, publisher or rights administrator, they may be able to arrange this on your behalf. If you’re releasing music independently, you’ll generally need to obtain the licence yourself.

In some cases, getting permission can be surprisingly straightforward. If you’re covering a song by a friend, independent artist or smaller songwriter, they may be able to provide written permission directly. Just make sure any agreement clearly states what material can be used, where it can be distributed, and that it’s provided by the rights holder.

For more commercially released music, particularly songs represented by publishers or major labels, you’ll usually need to obtain a mechanical licence through a licensing provider.

That’s why we recommend Affordable Song Licensing. They make it simple to secure the permissions needed to distribute cover songs more widely.

Once you’ve obtained a mechanical licence, you can upload it directly during the release creation process. Our moderation team will review it alongside your release, helping you get your music into more stores and territories worldwide.

Where can you distribute covers?

It all depends on whether you have obtained a mechanical licence for the song you’re covering or not.

RouteNote can distribute cover songs to Spotify, Deezer, Pandora, iHeartRadio, Nuuday, Anghami, TIDAL, KKBOX and JioSaavn globally without requiring a mechanical licence.

That means you can get your cover songs onto some of the world’s biggest streaming platforms with no extra licensing steps.

If you’d like to distribute your cover song to additional stores, you’ll either need a mechanical licence or you’ll need to exclude certain territories from your release.

Without a mechanical licence, the following territories must be excluded:

  • United States
  • Canada
  • Mexico
  • India
  • Pakistan

These exclusions can be managed within the Manage Stores section of your release.

Korean music services

If you’d like to distribute your cover song to Korean services such as Melon, Bugs!, Flo, Vibe or Genie, you’ll need written permission from the original artist.

If you have written permission available, contact moderation@routenote.com with your documentation, RouteNote username and release UPC.

How to upload a cover song with RouteNote

Getting your cover song online is easy.

Simply:

  1. Create a free RouteNote account.
  2. Start a new release.
  3. Let us know that your release contains a cover song.
  4. Select which tracks are covers.
  5. Upload your artwork and audio.
  6. Add your metadata.
  7. Upload a mechanical licence if you have one.
  8. Submit your release for moderation.

Our team will review everything before sending your music to your selected stores.

If you’ve obtained a mechanical licence, you can now upload it directly during the release creation process, making cover song distribution even easier.

RouteNote now supports mechanical licence uploads for cover songs

Cover song metadata requirements

Cover songs have a few additional metadata requirements that help stores correctly identify the original composition.

Following these rules will help avoid delays during moderation.

Track titles

Your cover song should use the original song title.

For example:

✔ Smells Like Teen Spirit

✔ Shake It Off

✔ She Loves You

The following formats are not allowed:

✘ Smells Like Teen Spirit (Nirvana Cover)

✘ Shake It Off (Taylor Swift Cover)

✘ Shake It Off (From 1989)

Stores generally don’t allow references to the original artist, album or film title within track names.

C line information

The C Line (Composition Copyright) should credit the original artist associated with the composition. This will be under Album Details when uploading your release through RouteNote.

For example, if you’re covering “Don’t Let Me Down”, your C Line should credit:

✔ The Beatles

Not:

✘ John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Ringo Starr

If your release contains multiple covers, separate each original artist with a comma. For example, The Beatles, Elton John, Madonna.

P line information

The P Line should contain the name of the artist performing the cover version.

In other words, that’s you.

Composer & lyricist information

Original composers and lyricists should be entered within the Composer and Lyricist fields of your release.

Artist roles

The original artist should not be added as a primary artist, featured artist or composer artist role.

Artwork rules for cover songs

When creating artwork for your cover release, make sure it represents your version of the song, not the original release.

Stores won’t allow:

  • Images of the original artist
  • References to the original artist
  • Artwork that imitates or recreates the original release artwork

This applies even if the artwork is illustrated rather than photographic.

Audio requirements

Your cover must be your own recording.

That means:

✔ Newly recorded vocals

✔ Newly recorded instruments

✔ Original recordings created by you

The following are not allowed without the appropriate permissions:

✘ Samples from the original recording

✘ The original master recording

✘ Unlicensed backing tracks

✘ Unauthorised remixes

It’s also worth noting that some stores may reject “soundalike” recordings designed to closely imitate the original release.

How to find copyright permissions for samples and covers

Can you make money from cover songs?

Yes.

As long as your cover song has been distributed correctly and follows the relevant licensing requirements, it can earn sound recording royalties just like your original music.

Every stream, download and play can generate revenue while helping new listeners discover your music. For many artists, cover songs are also a great way to introduce fans to their original music catalogue.

Whether you’ve put your own spin on a timeless classic or reimagined a recent hit, cover songs can help you reach new audiences while building your presence across streaming platforms.

How do cover songs earn money on Spotify?

Spotify pays royalties based on the revenue it generates from subscriptions and advertising.

When listeners stream your cover song, your recording can generate royalties in the same way as any other release on the platform. Earnings vary depending on factors such as listener location, subscription type and total streams, but cover songs can absolutely become a valuable part of an artist’s catalogue.

What about YouTube and YouTube Music?

Cover songs can also earn money through YouTube Music and YouTube’s wider music ecosystem.

However, YouTube works a little differently to traditional streaming services. The platform uses Content ID systems that help copyright owners identify compositions and recordings across YouTube.

Depending on the rights involved, cover songs uploaded directly to YouTube may be subject to copyright claims or revenue-sharing arrangements. That’s why it’s important to make sure you’ve followed all relevant licensing and distribution requirements before uploading your cover songs.

Can you cover public domain songs?

Some older compositions eventually enter the public domain, meaning their copyright protection has expired. When this happens, you can record and distribute your own version of the composition without obtaining permission from the original songwriter or their estate.

However, public domain status usually applies to the composition, not a specific recording of that composition. While you may be free to record your own version of a public domain work, you cannot use somebody else’s recording without the appropriate permissions.

Copyright laws vary between countries, so always check the copyright status of a composition before releasing it.

Frequently asked questions

Can I upload a cover song to Spotify?

Yes. RouteNote can distribute cover songs to Spotify, provided your release follows our cover song requirements and store policies.

Can I upload a cover song to Apple Music?

Yes. RouteNote can distribute cover songs to Apple Music. Depending on the stores and territories selected, additional licensing requirements may apply.

Can I monetise cover songs?

Yes. Cover songs can earn sound recording royalties from streams and downloads when distributed in accordance with licensing requirements.

Can I use samples in a cover song?

No. A standard cover song must be your own recording. If your release contains samples from the original recording, you’ll need the appropriate permissions from the relevant rightsholders.

Can I use a karaoke or backing track?

Only if you have the necessary rights to use that recording. If you’re unsure whether you have permission, it’s always best to check before uploading your release.

Can I upload a parody song?

Yes. Parodies are generally treated as cover songs and should follow the same metadata and licensing requirements. The track title should still match the original song title.

Can I mention the original artist in my title or artwork?

No. Stores generally do not allow references to the original artist in track titles, and they won’t allow artwork that uses or references the original artist either.

Can I distribute cover songs worldwide?

Yes, if you have the appropriate permissions or a valid mechanical licence. Without a mechanical licence, certain stores and territories may need to be excluded from your release.

Ready to release your cover song?

Whether you’re putting your own spin on a classic track or introducing a new audience to your music through a cover, RouteNote makes it easy to get your release online.

Create a free RouteNote account and distribute your music to Spotify, Apple Music, TIDAL, Deezer and more. With free and Premium distribution options available, you can choose the release plan that works best for you and start sharing your music with listeners around the world.

Upload your releases and distribute music to all leading streaming platforms worldwide with RouteNote. Sign up today to get started.