Google Search Now Displays Song Lyrics

Google Search Now Displays Song Lyrics

Today, Google Play Music and Google Search will begin presenting lyrics without requiring to navigate to another website. This comes after a partnership between LyricFind, the world’s biggest lyric licensing service, Google.

LyricFind declared Monday that lyrics from more than 4,000 publishers will be added to Google Search and Google Play Music. 

The particular terms of the deal weren't made public, but LyricFind CEO Darryl Ballantyne told Bloomberg the deal will bring songwriters and publishers "millions" of dollars in new revenue. 

"It’s all based on usage. Royalties are paid based on the number of times a lyric is viewed. The more it’s viewed, the more publishers get paid," Ballantyne said

The feature is accessible via Google search starting today, and will display a lot of the lyrics before displaying a link to view the “Full lyrics on Google Play.” Once carefully chosen, users will be pass on to the Google application where the full lyrics will be displayed, as well as an option to listen to listen to the song of choice.

Being able to offer lyrics directly within search results essentially turns Google into the de facto source for music and lyrics. No longer will users need to tap through a few different websites just to get the lyrics that they are looking for, instead, the lyrics will be displayed within the Google Search and Google Play Music.

A Google (GOOG) spokesperson providing an enigmatic comment about its new feature -- a reference to Led Zepplin's "Stairway to Heaven."

"There's a feeling you get when you turn to a song and you know that the words have two meanings. Well, it's whispered that now if you go search the tune, maybe Google will lead you to reason. Ooh, it makes you wonder..."

“We’re happy to expand the depth and quality of lyrics available on Google’s services. We’re working together to make lyrics available to a larger audience in a faster and more efficient way,” said Ballantyne in a statement.

LyricFind was originated in 2004 by Darryl Ballantyne and Mohamed Moutadayne in 2004 and has found licensing from the four major international music publishers; Universal Music Publishing Group, EMI Publishing, Sony/ATV Music Publishing and Warner/Chappell Music Publishing.

Not only will this agreement permit Google to officially monopolize lyric searches, which has been controlled thus far by illegal sites that may not have the licensing necessary to display lyrics, but the partnership also drives profits back to Google