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1. Can you cover your own songs?
We think no. But there are two opinions concerning this question. For the ones, amongst others for us, a cover version is a new version of a piece of music which has been made by another artist than the one who had made the original version. But the others renounce the element "by another artist ..." in this definition and say that it is possible to cover his own songs.
We only list new releases of an existing piece of music which has been made by another artist than the original one. We don't want to list all recordings of an artist. Nevertheless for some entries you will find alternative versions ("self cover versions") of an original performed by the same artist, especially versions in other languages.
We only list new releases of an existing piece of music which has been made by another artist than the original one. We don't want to list all recordings of an artist. Nevertheless for some entries you will find alternative versions ("self cover versions") of an original performed by the same artist, especially versions in other languages.
2. Do I need the permission to make a cover version or to use a sample?
It depends on the law of the country in which the cover version or the sampling song shall be released. Thus we cannot give you a universally valid answer.
In some countries there are collecting companies. If the composer and lyricist of the song – who are not necessarily identical to the original performers – are members of this collecting company, it can suffice to pay license fees to this company if you want to make a cover version. Sometimes you need a permission however, escpecially when you make too many changes compared to the original version.
When sampling, not only the composer's and the lyricist's rights can be affected but also rights of the records company.
In some countries there are collecting companies. If the composer and lyricist of the song – who are not necessarily identical to the original performers – are members of this collecting company, it can suffice to pay license fees to this company if you want to make a cover version. Sometimes you need a permission however, escpecially when you make too many changes compared to the original version.
When sampling, not only the composer's and the lyricist's rights can be affected but also rights of the records company.
3. Which are the most frequently covered songs?
You cannot seriously answer this question. No list or database of cover versions in the world is complete. That is why you cannot say which songs have been covered the most. Furthermore this depends on if you only count official releases or, for example, live performances which have not been recorded.
4. Why does a cover version sometimes have other authors than the original?
In general, cover and original have the same authors. If a cover has other or additional authors, then we indicate them. If there are other authors, than the real authors of the song might be concealed while covering. An example for an additional author is the lyricist of a cover version in a foreign language.
5. Which conditions must accomplish a piece of music to be added to the database?
A cover version is only added if it has been officially released on a sound storage medium (e. g. CD, cassette, LP) or sound and image storage medium (e. g. DVD, video cassette) and it must have been sold in trade at least in a limited edition.
We also add song to the database digital releases
We also add song to the database digital releases
- in the form of downloads (e. g. MP3)
– either if the download can or verifiably could be bought in a (legal) download shop
– or if the download is or verifiably was available for free on the website of the artist, his record label or a comparable portal and if this artist usually distributes his music commercially, i. e. via record or download shops, - on the big music-streaming platforms Spotify, Deezer, Soundcloud, Amazon Music or Apple Music.
Concerning original versions we are not that strict. If a song contains parts of an advertising jingle, mobile-phone ringtone or the music of a computer game, this can be entered into the database as a original version. Traditionals can also be originals.
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