How to Find Out Who Sings This Song – 4 Different Ways [2024]

Have you ever found yourself humming along to a catchy tune in a coffee shop or during a car ride, only to realize you don’t know the song’s title or the artist behind it? Identifying a song stuck in your head or playing in the background can be a frustrating experience if you don’t have the right tools.

Fortunately, advancements in technology have introduced a variety of song finders that can pinpoint exactly “who sings this song” using just a snippet of the melody or a few hummed notes.

Whether at a party, browsing through a store, or watching a movie, these song identification tools ensure you never miss adding that catchy tune to your playlist.

How does modern song recognition work?

Modern song recognition technology uses artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to identify songs from a massive database of music tracks. Song recognition systems analyze audio input—whether it’s actual music, humming, or sung lyrics.

They compare these inputs to a digital ” fingerprint ” database that uniquely identifies each song based on aspects like pitch, tempo, and rhythm.

↪ Methods of song recognition

Here are some common methods used for song recognition:

1. Through music: The most direct method, where the app analyzes sound waves and matches them to its music database.
2. Through humming or singing: Advanced apps can identify a song from just the melody hummed or sung into the device, focusing on the sequence of pitches.
3. Through lyrics: Some apps convert sung or spoken lyrics into text and search for matches in a lyric database.

AI and machine learning improve recognition accuracy and speed, allowing the system to learn from interactions and better handle variations in input, such as different accents or background noises. These technologies also help the system adapt to new music trends and changes in music production.

READ MORE: How to Identify Any Song You’re Listening To (Or Were) ➜

Ways to identify who sings this song

Identifying a song has never been easier. From apps that recognize music instantly to voice assistants that can pick up a song’s melody, there are multiple innovative ways to discover who sings any song. Let’s explore some of the most effective methods to satisfy your musical curiosity:

1. Shazam: Universal song identification application

Shazam stands out as a universal solution for song identification, integrating with both desktop and mobile devices. Here are some prominent features that make Shazam versatile:

• It works on smartphones, tablets, and through web browsers.
• Auto Shazam feature keeps listening even when you switch to another app, continuously identifying songs.
• Links directly to Spotify and Apple Music for immediate playback and playlist addition.
• Shazam is now integrated into iOS, allowing users to identify songs directly from the control center without installing the app.

Here’s how you can use Shazam across different platforms:

↪ On mobile

Follow these steps to use the Shazam app:

1. Get the Shazam app from your device’s app store (available on iOS and Android).
   

   

2. Launch Shazam and allow it to access your microphone.
   

   

3. Tap the Shazam icon to start listening.
   

   

4. The app will listen to the surrounding music and, within seconds, display the song title and artist.
   

   

↪ On desktop

Here’s how it works on a desktop:

1. Add the Shazam extension for Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge.
   

   

2. While playing music on your computer, click the Shazam icon in your browser to identify songs playing through your speakers.
   

   

3. Shazam will analyze the audio and provide you with the song information and links to streaming platforms.
   

   

READ MORE: The 7 Best Music Player Apps for Android in 2024 [Detailed List] ➜

2. AHA Music – The best application for desktop

AHA Music is a reliable and user-friendly song identification application boasting over 900,000 users. It is the best and most readily available song identification extension for desktop users. This extension makes identifying songs a breeze.

1. Install the AHA Music extension by visiting the Chrome Web Store.
   

   

2. Once installed, access the extension directly from your browser whenever you need to identify a song.
   

   

3. AHA Music will display detailed information about the song. Click on the song details to stream the music on various platforms or share it on social media.
   

   

3. Musixmatch: best applications for mobile

Musixmatch stands out for its capability to display lyrics alongside song identification on mobile phones, making it perfect for those who enjoy singing along. It also offers lyrics translations and integrates smoothly with music streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music. Here’s how to use Musixmatch on mobile devices:

1. Download Musixmatch from the App Store or Google Play and log in with your email.
   

   

2. You can link it to Spotify or Apple Music or use it directly. Click on the “Identify” from the bottom menu.
   

   

3. Tap on the orange Musixmatch icon in the center.
   

   

4. Grant the app access to your device’s microphone.
   

   

5. Play the music near your device or sing/hum the tune. The app will display the song and its lyrics in real-time.
   

   

READ MORE: How to Download Music from YouTube on Mobile & PC [2024] ➜

4. Voice assistants for song identifications

Voice assistants have revolutionized how we interact with music, making song identification as easy as a spoken command. Here’s how Google Assistant and Siri use their capabilities to help you identify tunes effortlessly:

↪ Google Assistant’s “Hum to Search”

Google Assistant offers a unique feature called “Hum to Search,” which allows users to hum or sing a melody to identify a song. This tool is handy when you can’t remember the lyrics but can recall the tune. It uses advanced machine-learning algorithms to match your humming to the correct song.

↪ Siri’s integration with Shazam

Siri has integrated Shazam’s music recognition technology to provide an effortless way to identify songs on Apple devices. Simply ask Siri, “What song is this?” and it will use Shazam to identify the music playing around you. This integration offers a seamless experience for iOS users to discover music instantly.

READ MORE: Google Assistant vs Siri vs Alexa vs Cortana: Which is the best smart assistant? ➜

Tips for better song identification

To enhance the accuracy of song identification, it’s crucial to use high-quality recordings and minimize background noise. While current technology offers impressive capabilities, understanding its limitations can help you get the most reliable results.

Here are some practical tips and insights into using and potentially lessening these limitations.

• Reduce background noise: To help the software pick up the song more clearly, try to minimize ambient sounds when using song identification apps.
• Use high-quality recordings: Higher-quality audio provides a clearer sample for the app to analyze, increasing the chances of a correct match.
• Understand the limitations: Some tools may struggle with live versions of songs or tracks with heavy distortions. Adjust your expectations accordingly and try different methods if one fails.

READ MORE: How to Identify Plants Using Google Lens & Its Best Alternatives ➜

Final thoughts

The evolution of song identification technology has made discovering music incredibly accessible and efficient. Whether you’re humming a tune with Google Assistant, asking Siri through your iPhone, or using a desktop tool like Shazam, these tools bridge the gap between fleeting musical moments and your music library.

By following simple tips to enhance recognition accuracy and understanding the limitations of these technologies, you can optimize your experience. The next time a catchy tune captures your attention, you’re well-equipped to find out exactly what song it is with just a few taps or a question to your voice assistant.