Spotify has announced significant updates aimed at enriching the listening experience by providing deeper insights into the people and stories behind songs. The music streaming service is enhancing its Song Credits feature, which will now include a broader range of contributors, such as sound engineers, background vocalists, and session musicians. This expansion allows listeners to appreciate the collaborative efforts that go into the creation of a track.
The update comes as part of Spotify’s ongoing commitment to connect users more closely with the music they love. Until now, song credits focused primarily on main songwriters and producers. With this new update, which is currently being rolled out to mobile users, listeners can access a more comprehensive list of contributors by tapping on the three dots next to a song and selecting “Show credits.”
New Tools to Explore Music Connections
In addition to expanded credits, Spotify is also introducing two innovative tools designed to explore the deeper stories behind music. The first is SongDNA, a feature that resembles a family tree for music, detailing how songs are interconnected through samples, covers, remixes, and collaborations. For example, if a contemporary Bollywood song samples an older classic, SongDNA will highlight that relationship. This feature draws on data from WhoSampled, a well-respected database that catalogs music samples and covers.
The second feature, About the Song, will present swipeable cards in the Now Playing view. These cards will provide engaging facts and stories about the track, such as the inspiration behind the lyrics or the cultural significance of the song. This feature aims to pique listeners’ curiosity, prompting them to pause and delve deeper into the music’s background.
Availability and Future Developments
The expanded song credits feature is now available on mobile devices, with plans for a desktop launch in the near future. The features SongDNA and About the Song are still under development and are expected to be released to Premium subscribers in early March 2024. Spotify is taking careful steps to ensure these features are polished before the wider release. Artists and their teams will have the opportunity to preview these tools, allowing them to confirm the accuracy of credits and story cards and request corrections as needed.
By integrating these features, Spotify aims to reduce the need for users to seek information elsewhere. Instead of turning to Google for details about a song or its contributors, listeners will have direct access to this information within the app, fostering a greater appreciation for the intricate creative process behind each track.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How can I view the full credits for a song on Spotify?
A: To see the full credits, open the Spotify app, play a song, tap the three dots next to the song title, and select “Show credits.”
Q: What is the SongDNA feature?
A: SongDNA is a tool that illustrates the connections between songs, indicating if a track contains samples, is a cover version, or features collaborations.
Q: Will the “About the Song” feature be available for free users?
A: Currently, Spotify plans to offer “About the Song” and “SongDNA” exclusively for Premium subscribers when they are widely launched next year.
Q: Where does Spotify obtain the information for these credits?
A: The information for song credits comes directly from record labels, music publishers, and distributors who upload music to Spotify.
Q: Can I correct credits if they are inaccurate?
A: Listeners cannot change credits directly; however, artists and their teams can use the “Spotify for Artists” platform to review the data and request corrections from their distributors.
Q: Why are credits missing for some songs?
A: Credits may only appear if the record label or distributor has provided that specific data. Older songs or tracks by smaller independent artists may not have complete information available yet.
With these updates, Spotify is taking a significant step forward in recognizing the diverse talents that contribute to music creation, ultimately enriching the listening experience for audiences around the world.
