Hey google tell me what this song is

Music is everywhere. You could be in a cab or a café, or sitting on your couch, when a new song finds its way into your head and takes up residence. But the sweet joy of discovering a fresh favorite can turn bitter in an instant when you can’t name that tune. Luckily, you can get help. Here's how to use your smartphone to identify a song.

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Google Assistant (Android or iPhone)

Photograph: Simon Hill

Google has offered some form of song recognition for years now, but it has improved significantly over time. Even if the song you want is no longer playing, you can try humming or singing it. Here’s how:

  1. On an Android device, say, “Hey Google,” or touch and hold the home button. On an iPhone, open the Google app and tap the microphone button.
  2. Ask, “What’s this song?”
  3. If the song is playing, Google Assistant will name it and give you a YouTube link. You can also hum, whistle, or sing the melody, and Google will suggest potential matches.

Sadly, this doesn't work on Wear OS smartwatches, but you can try Shazam (see below) to get song recognition on your wrist. 

Siri (iPhone)

You can use Siri to identify a song on most Apple devices, including the Apple Watch, but it has to be the original version. It won't recognize your humming or singing.

  1. Say, “Hey Siri,” or long-press the power button on an iPhone or the digital crown on an Apple Watch.
  2. Ask, “What’s this song?”
  3. If the song is playing, Siri will name it and give you an Apple Music link.

Shazam (Android or iPhone)

Photograph: Simon Hill

Shazam was the original music-recognition service and it offers handy extras like synced lyrics, links to some of the best music streaming services, and easy sharing on social media. Apple acquired Shazam in 2018, but the app is still available for Android, as well as iOS. It also works on many of our picks for the best smartwatches.

Ever had a song stuck in your head that just keeps playing over and over but you can’t recall the name or even the words?

Then this may be music to your ears. Google now offers a simple cure for earworms or stuck song syndrome: You can hum, whistle or sing the tune, even off key, and Google will rustle up a short list of possibilities.

On your iOS device, open the Google app or find the Google Search widget. Tap the mic icon and say: “What’s this song” or click the “Search a song button.” Then hum for 10 to 15 seconds.

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On Google Assistant, say “Hey Google, what’s this song?” and then hum it. From there, you can listen to the song on a music app, find the lyrics, get information on the song, artist and more.

Hey google tell me what this song is

How does it work? Google’s machine learning algorithms scan digitized songs to pick out the potential matches. 

Why’d Google create it? Google says it gets asked what song is playing almost 100 million times a month.

This photo taken on August 23, 2018 shows the Google logo on display at the Smart China Expo at Chongqing International Expo Center in southwest China's Chongqing.

Shazam will identify any song in seconds. Discover, artists, lyrics, videos & playlists, all for free. Over 1 billion installs and counting.

“Shazam is an app that feels like magic” - Techradar.com (http://techradar.com/)

“Shazam is a gift... a game changer” - Pharrell Williams, GQ interview

Think you can Beat Shazam? To find out, play along with the Shazam App while you watch the show!

WHY YOU’LL LOVE IT

* Find the name of any song in seconds.
* Listen and add to Apple Music playlists.
* Follow along with time-synced lyrics.
* Watch music videos from Apple Music or YouTube.
* Enable Dark theme on Shazam.
* Get Shazam for Wear OS.

SHAZAM ANYWHERE, AT ANYTIME

* Use Pop-up Shazam to identify music in any app - Instagram, YouTube, TikTok...
* No connection? No problem! Shazam while offline.
* Turn on Auto Shazam to keep finding songs even when you leave the app.

WHAT ELSE?

* Find out what is popular in your country or city with Shazam charts.
* Get recommended songs and playlists to discover new music.
* Open any song directly in Spotify, Apple Music or YouTube Music.
* Share songs with friends through Snapchat, Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, Twitter and more.

THOUSANDS OF 5-STAR REVIEWS!

Availability and features may vary by country.
For more information on Shazam’s privacy practices, please read the Privacy Policy, available at https://www.apple.com/legal/privacy/.

How do I get Google to identify a song?

On your phone, touch and hold the Home button or say "Hey Google." Ask "What's this song?" Play a song or hum, whistle, or sing the melody of a song. Hum, whistle, or sing: Google Assistant will identify potential matches for the song.

Can you hum to Shazam?

Like Siri, Shazam can't recognize a tune that you sing or hum yourself. If you don't want to use Google for that, then try the SoundHound app (Android or iOS).

Can I Shazam on Google?

Open Google Chrome browser on your PC. Search for 'Shazam' in the search bar. In the results, tap on 'Shazam'. Press the 'Add to Chrome' button on the right side.

How do I identify a song?

Use Shazam to identify what you're hearing on the radio, in a store, or anywhere else you hear a song. Shazam saves songs you've identified, which you can preview to discover new music.