Using song lyrics in book – need to license rights?

Lyrics from the 60's are under copyright. You will need permission.

WriteKnight said:

Lyrics from the 60's are under copyright. You will need permission.

Click to expand...

And generally expensive. The more more popular the band, the more expensive. There is no minimum amount you can use without getting permission. You can mention the title without permission, but never lyrics.

AndrewG said:

Does anyone know if there's a way I could estimate how much it would cost?

Click to expand...

You need to contact the rights holder...which in and of itself is a major challenge! It can easily be several thousand dollars. And they often will want a fresh fee for every edition (hardback, trade paperback, mass market paperback, foreign editions, e-books, audiobooks, and so on). Or you might get lucky and they might only want a small amount, or even just credit in the acknowledgments. You never can tell.

Now, you can always keep the lyrics in your mansucript and worry about it when you sell the book. If your publisher thinks it's worth it, they might pay the fees. Just be prepared to have to yank the lyrics out.

Of course, if you're self-publishing, then you have to make the decision yourself.

Songs generally have two licenses: music and lyrics. Many of the big record companies license music through the Harry Fox Agency. BMI handles lyrics rights management for a lot of bands so you may want to start there or at the band's record company for info.

There's an FAQ in the FAQ section about copyright.

It discusses some of the basics about music licensing.

It's a PITA, expensive, and best avoided. You won't be able to start the process until you have a publisher because the licensing costs depends on what rights, where, how long, and how many copies of the item.

Post about 1958, it get really really expensive, and a single song may require multiple permissions.

Frankly, I'd omit the lyrics.

Terie said:

Or you might get lucky and they might only want a small amount, or even just credit in the acknowledgments. You never can tell.

Click to expand...

And thus we come to the reason that 'The March of Cambreadth' is used as a basis for marching songs in like seven different SF/fantasy series. Aside from the fact that it is a great (and easily modified) marching song, the rights-holder has reportedly long had the attitude basically that "if you are polite enough to ask me before using, and are willing to give a thank-you in the preface and maybe a copy to read, have fun!"