What’s this song’s name?

What’s this song’s name?

Music has the power to captivate us, evoke emotions, and transport us to different times and places. We’ve all experienced that moment of hearing a song and wondering, “What’s this song’s name?” Thankfully, with advancements in technology, there are now several tools and apps available to help us identify songs quickly and easily. In this article, we will explore some of the most popular song identification methods and apps, shedding light on how they work and how you can use them to satisfy your musical curiosity.

Shazam

Shazam stands out as one of the most widely recognized and popular music recognition apps. Using its sophisticated music recognition algorithm, Shazam creates a unique fingerprint for a recorded sample of a song and compares it to its extensive database to identify the song accurately. With millions of songs in its library, Shazam can recognize a vast range of music genres and styles.

Google Assistant

Google Assistant has continuously improved its song identification capabilities over the years. Whether you’re using voice search or the “Sound Search” widget, Google Assistant can recognize songs by humming, singing, or simply asking about the song. Android users can easily access this feature by saying “Hey Google, what is this song?” or “Hey Google, identify this song.” Google Assistant’s ability to identify songs accurately even from a distant room or through a hum sets it apart from other options.

Siri

Apple’s voice-activated personal assistant, Siri, offers song identification capabilities on most Apple devices. By simply asking Siri, “What music is this?” or similar questions, you can quickly recognize a song. Siri leverages Apple’s acquisition of Shazam, integrating its music recognition technology to provide accurate results.

Alexa

Amazon’s voice service, Alexa, is another powerful tool for identifying songs. Alexa can identify songs from various music streaming services, including Amazon Music and Spotify. To use this feature, you can ask Alexa, “What is this song?” or “Identify this song” while the music is playing. Alexa’s expanding music recognition capabilities make it a reliable option for song identification.

Deezer (SongCatcher)

Deezer, a popular music streaming platform, offers a feature called SongCatcher that allows users to discover the title of any playing song. Whether you’re listening to music on Deezer or in your surroundings, you can use SongCatcher to identify the song accurately. Additionally, Deezer’s SongCatcher even lets you hum a song to find its title, making it a unique and versatile song identification tool.

Now Playing (Pixel) & iPhone’s Control Centre (Music Recognition)

Google Pixel devices come with an automatic song identification feature called Now Playing. This feature uses Shazam’s technology to automatically recognize music playing in your surroundings. When a song is detected, Now Playing displays the song’s information on the lock screen, allowing you to discover the song without any additional effort. Similarly, iPhones have a built-in Music Recognition feature in the Control Centre, powered by Shazam. By adding Music Recognition to your iPhone’s Control Centre, you can quickly access song identification capabilities by swiping down from the home screen.

Smart Speakers

If you have a smart speaker with a built-in voice assistant like Siri, Google Assistant, or Alexa, you can leverage their song identification capabilities. Simply ask the smart speaker, “What song is this?” or “Who sings this song?” while the music is playing, and it will provide you with the song’s name and artist. Smart speakers have become a convenient and hands-free way to identify songs quickly.

SoundHound

SoundHound is a popular music identification app that competes with Shazam. It allows users to identify songs by recording a sample, similar to how Shazam operates. SoundHound’s extensive song database and advanced recognition algorithms ensure accurate identification of a wide range of songs across various genres.

In conclusion, the quest to discover the name of a song that catches our attention has become easier than ever. With apps like Shazam, Google Assistant, Siri, Alexa, Deezer’s SongCatcher, and SoundHound, we have powerful tools at our disposal to satisfy our musical curiosity. Whether you’re humming a tune or simply asking about a song, these song identification methods and apps can provide you with the answers you seek.



Sources:
– “Music Recognition Algorithms: How Does Shazam Work?” by Toptal® (https://www.toptal.com/algorithms/shazam-it-music-processing-fingerprinting-and-recognition)
– “WhatSong Is This? 10 Ways to Identify Songs” by FreeYourMusic (https://freeyourmusic.com/blog/what-song-is-this)
– “What Song Is This? 18 Mobile and Web Apps to Identify Songs” by Beebom (https://beebom.com/what-song-is-this-apps-identify-songs/)

FAQs

How can I identify a song if I don’t know the title or artist?

There are several methods you can use to identify a song. You can use song recognition apps like Shazam, SoundHound, or Deezer’s SongCatcher. Additionally, voice assistants like Google Assistant, Siri, and Alexa have built-in song identification capabilities. You can also seek help from online communities or forums dedicated to identifying songs.

Can I identify a song by humming or singing it?

Yes, many song recognition apps, such as Shazam, SoundHound, and Google Assistant, have the ability to identify songs based on humming or singing. You can hum or sing a few lines of the song, and the app or voice assistant will try to match it with its database to provide you with the song’s name.

How accurate are song recognition apps?

Song recognition apps have advanced algorithms and extensive databases, making them highly accurate in identifying songs. However, accuracy can vary depending on factors such as the quality of the recording, background noise, or the app’s database coverage. In general, popular and well-established apps like Shazam and SoundHound tend to provide reliable results.

Can I identify a song playing in a movie or TV show?



Yes, you can identify songs playing in movies or TV shows using apps like Shazam or SoundHound. Simply open the app and let it listen to the song playing in the background. The app will compare the audio sample with its database and provide you with the song’s details.

Can I identify songs using smart speakers?

Yes, smart speakers with built-in voice assistants like Google Assistant, Siri, and Alexa can help you identify songs. Just ask the smart speaker, “What song is this?” or “Who sings this song?” while the music is playing, and it will provide you with the song’s name and artist.

Can I identify songs using voice search on my smartphone?

Yes, you can use voice search on your smartphone to identify songs. Voice assistants like Google Assistant and Siri have song recognition capabilities. Simply activate the voice assistant and ask, “What song is this?” or similar questions, and it will listen to the song and provide you with the information you’re looking for.

Are there any alternatives to popular song recognition apps?

Yes, apart from popular apps like Shazam and SoundHound, there are other alternatives you can try. Some examples include Musixmatch, Midomi, AHA Music, and Songsear.ch. These apps offer similar song identification features and can help you discover the name of a song.

Can I identify songs offline?



Most song recognition apps require an internet connection to match the recorded sample with their databases. However, some apps, like Shazam, offer offline functionality where they can store a limited number of fingerprints locally on your device. This allows you to identify songs even when you’re offline, and the app will provide the song’s details once you regain an internet connection.