Yahoo has done a deal with the five major publishers for the use of song lyrics in its music player.
From this week, visitors to Yahoo Music can now search for song lyrics from BMG Music Publishing, EMI Music Publishing, Sony/ATV Music Publishing, Universal Music Publishing and Warner/Chappell as well as nearly 100 other smaller companies.The deal was done in association with Gracenote.
"Song lyrics are continually among the top 10 searches performed on major search engines, though the results often provide consumers a frustrating experience filled with inconsistent and incomplete lyrics, and annoying pop-ups," said Craig Palmer, president and chief executive officer of Gracenote. "With Gracenote and Yahoo!, consumers will have access to the largest database of high quality lyrics linked directly to the rich album and artist content available throughout Yahoo! Music."
Gracenote started work on the first legal database of song lyrics two years ago.
"You mean Bob Dylan isn't actually saying 'The ants, my friend, are in a bowling pin?'" asks Ian Rogers, general manager of Yahoo! Music. "Finally, a free, legal and definitive way to settle a bet with the guy sitting next to you at the bar who is certain the Ramones' most famous anthem declares, 'I wanna piece of bacon.'"
Yahoo Music at music.yahoo.com has more than 2 million songs available for streaming or download.
