We’ve all been there – sitting in a coffee shop, driving in our cars, or attending a party, when suddenly a song comes on that we just can’t get out of our heads. The problem is, we don’t know the title or the artist, making it impossible to add it to our playlists or download it later. But fear not, dear music lovers, for there are several apps that can solve this mystery for us. In this article, we’ll explore the best apps that can identify the song playing around you, so you can finally put a name to that catchy tune.
The Rise of Music Recognition Apps
The first music recognition app, Shazam, was launched in 2002, but it wasn’t until the mid-2000s that it gained popularity. Since then, several other apps have emerged, each offering unique features and functionalities. Music recognition apps use a combination of machine learning algorithms, acoustic fingerprinting, and large music databases to identify songs in a matter of seconds. Today, these apps have become an essential tool for music enthusiasts, DJs, and even advertisers.
Top Apps That Can Identify Songs
So, what app tells you what song is playing? Here are some of the best music recognition apps available:
1. Shazam
With over 1 billion downloads, Shazam is one of the most popular music recognition apps. It’s available on both iOS and Android devices, and it’s incredibly easy to use. Simply open the app, tap the “Listen” button, and hold your phone up to the music. Shazam will identify the song in a matter of seconds, providing you with the title, artist, and even lyrics. You can also use Shazam to discover new music, watch music videos, and follow your favorite artists.
2. SoundHound
SoundHound is another popular music recognition app that can identify songs in seconds. It’s available on both iOS and Android devices, and it offers several features that set it apart from Shazam. For example, SoundHound allows you to hum or sing a tune, and it’ll try to identify the song. It also provides more detailed information about the song, including the album, genre, and release date.
3. Google Assistant
If you have an Android device or a Google Home smart speaker, you can use Google Assistant to identify songs. Simply say “Ok Google, what song is this?” or “Ok Google, name that tune,” and Google Assistant will do its best to identify the song. Google Assistant uses a combination of machine learning algorithms and audio fingerprinting to identify songs, and it’s surprisingly accurate.
4. Siri
If you have an iPhone or an iPad, you can use Siri to identify songs. Simply say “Hey Siri, what song is this?” or “Hey Siri, identify this song,” and Siri will try to identify the song. Like Google Assistant, Siri uses a combination of machine learning algorithms and audio fingerprinting to identify songs.
5. Musixmatch
Musixmatch is a popular music recognition app that focuses on lyrics. It’s available on both iOS and Android devices, and it offers several features that set it apart from other apps. For example, Musixmatch provides real-time lyrics, allowing you to sing along to your favorite songs. It also offers a large music database, with over 10 million songs to choose from.
How Music Recognition Apps Work
So, how do music recognition apps actually work? It’s quite fascinating. Here’s a simplified overview of the process:
Step 1: Audio Fingerprinting
When you open a music recognition app, it creates an audio fingerprint of the song playing around you. This audio fingerprint is a unique digital signature that represents the song’s acoustic characteristics.
Step 2: Music Database
The app then searches its massive music database to find a match for the audio fingerprint. This database contains millions of songs, each with its own unique audio fingerprint.
Step 3: Machine Learning Algorithms
Once the app finds a potential match, it uses machine learning algorithms to verify the identity of the song. These algorithms analyze various aspects of the song, including the melody, harmony, and rhythm.
Step 4: Song Identification
If the app is confident of the song’s identity, it will provide you with the title, artist, and other relevant information. This information is usually retrieved from the app’s music database or third-party sources like music streaming services.
Benefits of Music Recognition Apps
Music recognition apps offer several benefits, including:
| Benefit | Description |
|---|---|
| Discover New Music | Music recognition apps can help you discover new artists and genres, broadening your musical horizons. |
| Enhance Music Experience | These apps can enhance your music experience by providing lyrics, music videos, and behind-the-scenes information. |
| Identify Mysterious Songs | Music recognition apps can identify mysterious songs that you’ve been trying to figure out for years. |
Conclusion
In conclusion, music recognition apps have revolutionized the way we interact with music. With their advanced algorithms and massive music databases, these apps can identify songs in a matter of seconds. Whether you’re a music enthusiast, a DJ, or an advertiser, music recognition apps are an essential tool that can enhance your music experience. So, the next time you hear a song that you can’t get out of your head, simply open one of these apps and let the mystery be solved!
So, what app tells you what song is playing? The answer is simple: Shazam, SoundHound, Google Assistant, Siri, or Musixmatch. Try them out today and discover the power of music recognition!
What is the app that tells you what song is playing?
The app that tells you what song is playing is called Shazam. Shazam is a music recognition app that uses your device’s microphone to identify the song that is playing. It has a vast database of songs, including popular and obscure tracks, and can identify a song in a matter of seconds.
Shazam is available for both Android and iOS devices, and can be downloaded for free from the app store. Once installed, you can open the app, tap the “listen” button, and hold your device up to the speaker or source of the music. Shazam will then identify the song and provide you with information such as the artist, song title, and album.
How does Shazam work?
Shazam uses a unique audio fingerprinting technology to identify songs. This technology involves breaking down the audio signal into its component parts, such as melody, harmony, and rhythm, and creating a unique digital fingerprint of the song. This fingerprint is then compared to the millions of songs in Shazam’s database to find a match.
Shazam’s algorithm is able to identify songs even with poor audio quality or background noise. It can also identify songs that are playing on the radio, in a store, or at a party, making it a powerful tool for music lovers.
Is Shazam free to use?
Yes, Shazam is free to use. You can download the app and use it to identify songs without paying a fee. Shazam makes money through advertising and partnerships with music streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music.
However, Shazam also offers a premium subscription service called Shazam Encore, which provides additional features such as ad-free listening, offline mode, and exclusive content. Shazam Encore is available as an in-app purchase.
How accurate is Shazam?
Shazam is incredibly accurate, with an identification rate of over 90%. This means that out of every 10 songs you try to identify, Shazam will correctly identify at least 9 of them.
However, Shazam is not perfect, and there are certain situations where it may struggle to identify a song. For example, if the audio quality is very poor, or if the song is very obscure or not well-known, Shazam may not be able to identify it.
Can I use Shazam to identify songs on my computer?
Yes, you can use Shazam to identify songs on your computer. In addition to the mobile app, Shazam also offers a desktop version that allows you to identify songs playing on your computer.
To use Shazam on your computer, simply visit the Shazam website and click on the “Listen” button. Shazam will then use your computer’s microphone to identify the song playing.
Can I use Shazam to discover new music?
Yes, Shazam is a great tool for discovering new music. In addition to identifying songs, Shazam also provides recommendations for similar artists and songs. You can also browse through the “Discover” section of the app to find new music and explore different genres and playlists.
Shazam also integrates with music streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music, allowing you to add songs to your playlists and listen to them later.
Is Shazam available in multiple languages?
Yes, Shazam is available in multiple languages. The app is translated into over 30 languages, including Spanish, French, German, Italian, and many more.
This makes Shazam a great tool for music lovers around the world, regardless of their language or location.