Identifying a song from a WhatsApp video can be tricky, especially if there are no lyrics or if the audio quality is poor. However, with the right tools and techniques, it is possible to figure out what that catchy tune is. In this comprehensive guide, we will walk through the various methods you can use to identify a song from a WhatsApp video.
Use Audio Recognition Apps
One of the easiest ways to identify a song is by using audio recognition apps. These apps listen to a short sample of the song and tell you the name of the track and artist. Some popular options include:
- Shazam – One of the most well-known music identification apps. Works quickly and accurately.
- SoundHound – Similar to Shazam and can even identify songs when lyrics are sung or hummed.
- MusicID – Made by the same company as Shazam. Also recognizes songs accurately.
- TuneFind – Can identify songs even with background noise. Has a large song database.
To use these apps:
- Download the app on your smartphone.
- Open the app and allow access to your phone’s microphone if prompted.
- Play the WhatsApp video with the unknown song.
- Hold your phone near the speaker to let the app listen to the song.
- The app will tell you the song title and artist if it finds a match.
This method works well for identifying popular recorded songs. However, it may not work for lesser-known tracks or live recordings.
Use Online Recognition Tools
If you don’t want to download an app, you can use free online tools to identify songs from videos. Here are some options:
- AudD – Allows you to upload an audio file or record directly through the site.
- Midomi – Can identify songs by recording through your microphone.
- ACRCloud – Recognizes music by uploading audio clips up to 30 seconds long.
- YouTube Music ID – If you upload a video, it will scan the audio track to identify the song.
The steps for using online song recognition are:
- Go to the website for one of the tools above.
- Follow the instructions to record or upload part of the song from your WhatsApp video.
- Make sure you select the clearest portion with minimal background noise.
- Wait for the website to analyze the audio and match it against its database.
- If matched, it will tell you the song details. If not, try another tool.
Online services can identify both popular and obscure songs. But the accuracy depends on audio quality. They may not work if the song is distorted or faded.
Use Lyric Search
Searching song lyrics is another great method for identifying tunes from videos. Here’s how to do it:
- Play your WhatsApp video and try to capture a few lines of lyrics.
- Type the lyrics, even a few words, into Google search.
- Scan the search results for lyric sites like Genius or AzLyrics.
- On lyric sites, browse songs that contain those words.
- When you find a match, you have your song title and artist.
Lyric searching is most effective when you can clearly hear lyrics. Search engines index millions of songs by their lyrics. However, instrumentals and obscure tracks won’t turn up in lyric search results.
Use Music Identification Bots
There are clever bots on messaging platforms like Telegram and Discord that can identify music. Examples include:
- @MusictoBot on Telegram – Recognizes songs from audio files
- Rythm on Discord – Identifies tracks from short clips
- ShazamBot on Telegram – Made by Shazam so very accurate
- @SongFinderBot on Telegram – Searches by lyrics
Follow these steps to use them:
- Download the Telegram or Discord app and search for the bot.
- Open your WhatsApp video that has the song.
- Record a 10-15 second video clip with just the song playing.
- Send the short clip to the music ID bot on Telegram or Discord.
- The bot will analyze the clip and tell you what song it is.
Music ID bots are quick and convenient for identifying songs. But ensure the audio clip is clear without excess background noise for best results.
Use Your Voice Assistant
Your smartphone or smart speaker’s voice assistant can also recognize songs. Try these:
- Siri on iOS can identify songs playing around you.
- Google Assistant for Android has a ‘What’s this song?’ feature.
- Alexa has a Song ID skill you can enable.
- Cortana on Windows devices also includes music recognition abilities.
Here are the steps:
- Play the WhatsApp video with the mystery song near your phone speaker or voice assistant.
- Say your wake word “Hey Siri”, “OK Google” or “Alexa” to activate device.
- Say “What song is this?” or “Identify this song”.
- The assistant will listen and tell you the song title and artist if recognized.
Voice assistants work well for pop songs playing clearly. Performance quality varies across platforms. But they provide hands-free recognition conveniently.
Use Mobile Apps to Record the Song
Instead of recording the actual WhatsApp video, you can record just the audio of the song separately using other apps. Try these:
- Windows Voice Recorder (Windows)
- Voice Memos (iOS)
- Google Sound Recorder (Android)
Steps to record the song:
- Open the recording app on your phone.
- Play the WhatsApp video with the song.
- Hold your phone’s microphone near the speaker.
- Start recording just the song for about 10-15 seconds.
- Trim the beginning and end to remove excess noise.
- Use this clean audio clip with the song recognition options mentioned above.
Recording just the isolated song provides a clearer sample. Make sure to trim silence from the beginning and end. This boosts the accuracy of song matching services.
Use Apps like Snapchat and TikTok
Apps like Snapchat and TikTok have in-built music recognition features you can use. Here’s how:
- Open the Snapchat app and start a new Snap.
- Play the WhatsApp video with the mystery song in the background.
- Let Snapchat listen and identify the song.
- It will show you a song title sticker you can add to your Snap.
- For TikTok, tap the Music note icon while recording and it will identify songs.
These apps automatically recognize trending music around you. However, their databases are limited to popular songs. But it’s a handy quick-fix for identifying catchy mainstream tunes.
Search by Lyrics on Streaming Apps
If you were able to decipher some lyrics, you can search using them on your music streaming apps like Spotify, Apple Music, SoundCloud etc. Steps:
- Open the streaming app and go to the search bar.
- Type in key lyrics you heard from the WhatsApp video.
- Scan the search results for songs with matching lyrics.
- Play the songs to find the one from the video.
Streaming services have extensive music catalogs including song lyrics. If your lyrics search gets hits, you’ll likely find a match in the results. Useful when you get distinctive lyric snippets.
Use Automated Subtitling on YouTube
YouTube’s automated captions can transcribe lyrics from videos automatically. Follow these steps:
- Upload the WhatsApp video with the unknown song to YouTube privately.
- Go to the video and enable Auto-generated captions.
- Let YouTube process the captions. This may take some time.
- Review the generated text and extract lyric phrases.
- Search the lyrics on sites like Genius or Google to find the right song.
YouTube captions can transcribe lyrics decently well. But results vary based on audio quality and pronunciation. Still it’s a handy trick to get lyrics to search if other methods fail.
Search for Songs by Genre or Era
If you can identify the genre or era of the song, you can narrow down your search substantially. Some ways to search by genre:
- Check playlists on Spotify or YouTube focused on the song’s genre.
- Look through popular artist lists on sites like Billboard specific to that genre.
- Search genre-specific forums like Reddit or music blogs.
- Go through genre radio stations on streaming apps.
Knowing the time period of the song also helps. Search top songs from that era on Google and Wikipedia to find possible matches. This works best for very distinctive genres and eras.
Check the WhatsApp Video Source
Sometimes, the easiest way to identify a song is checking where the WhatsApp video originated from. Here are some clues to look for:
- If shared from Instagram or TikTok, check the original video for song credits.
- If it’s a YouTube video, check the video details for background music credits.
- Scan the comments on the source video for people asking for the song name.
- Reverse image search the video thumbnail to find the original source.
With videos shared on WhatsApp, tracking down the original source often leads you right to the song details. Useful for longer viral video clips or original content.
Use Facebook or SiriusXM to Identify Songs
Facebook’s music recognition feature can identify songs playing around you. Follow these steps:
- Open the Facebook app and tap the “More” menu.
- Select “Music” and tap the mic icon.
- Let Facebook listen to the mystery song.
- It will tell you the song title and artist if found.
SiriusXM satellite radio also has a music recognition feature in their mobile app. Just tap the Music ID icon and let it listen to unknown songs. Handy options if other tools fail to identify the tune.
Lookup Song Details on IMDB
For songs from movies, TV shows or video games, check on IMDB:
- Search the film/show name on IMDB and open its page.
- Scroll down to the “Soundtracks” section.
- Browse the tracklist for potential song matches.
- Use the unique song titles to search and confirm.
IMDB lists the official soundtracks of films and shows. Helpful for identifying iconic songs associated with specific visual media.
Post on a Music Forum for Help
Music forums and communities can help identify unknown songs. Some options include:
- r/NameThatSong subreddit
- Tunefind forums
- Quora music section
- Subreddits for specific genres like r/hiphop or r/electronicmusic
To get help:
- Record the clearest possible clip of just the song from your video.
- Post it on one of the forum sites asking for song identification help.
- Include any details you may know like lyrics, genre, or artist clues.
- Check back for replies from the community and confirm if they name the right song.
Crowdsourcing song identification online from large music communities can often resolve mystery songs. Especially good for obscure, lesser-known tracks.
Use DJ Mix Tracklists
If the song is from a DJ mix:
- Google the DJ’s name and the mix name/episode if known.
- Check sites like MixesDB and Tracklist1001 for that specific mix.
- Scan the mix tracklist for potential song candidates based on cues.
- Confirm by listening to the matchup songs.
DJ mixes normally have publicly available tracklists. Match timestamps and transitions from the mix to narrow down the exact mystery track.
Check Music Charts from the Video’s Release Date
For older songs, lookup music charts from the video’s release timeframe:
- Note the year the WhatsApp video originally came out if possible.
- Check music charts on Billboard from that year.
- Listen to top songs from those charts on YouTube or Spotify.
- See if you can find a match to the mystery song.
Popular oldies likely appeared on past music charts. Checking old charts helps zero in on forgotten classics making a resurgence.
Conclusion
Identifying an unknown song from a WhatsApp video can be tricky but solvable using the methods discussed. Start with audio recognition apps for a quick match. Searching lyrics and using online communities also helps uncover mysteries. With the right tools and some detective work, you can put a name to that catchy tune stuck in your head.