Does Spotify Have Karaoke Mode? What You Can and Can't Do

Spotify has a lyrics view that shows the words as the song plays, and it has offered a karaoke-style sing-along feature in some apps and regions. What you get depends on your app version, your country and sometimes your plan, and Spotify changes these features from time to time. What Spotify does not give you is a karaoke version of every song with the singer taken out. For that, you can make your own with the Karaoke Maker.

What Spotify offers today

Spotify's features vary by device and country, so treat this as a guide, not a promise.

Lyrics. On the Now Playing screen, many songs show their lyrics, and the lines move in time with the music. This works on phones and on the desktop app. Not every song has lyrics, and a few regions lack the feature.

A sing-along style mode. Spotify has rolled out a feature in some places that lets you sing along with lyrics and, in some versions, lower the volume of the singer. The name, the look and the places where it works have changed over time. If you do not see it, it may not be available in your app version or region. Open the Now Playing screen, look for a microphone or "sing along" style button near the lyrics, and check Spotify's help pages if you want the current details.

Karaoke playlists. If you search for "karaoke" in Spotify, you will find playlists and albums of backing tracks. Many of these are not the original recordings. They are re-recorded versions made by other musicians, so the sound is close but not exact.

Why a karaoke mode is not the same as a karaoke track

A lyrics screen helps you sing, but the real singer is still on the recording. If you turn up the volume and sing along, you will be competing with the original voice.

A true karaoke track has the lead voice taken out. There are two ways to get one:

• Buy or find a re-recorded version from a karaoke catalog. These are licensed for karaoke use, but the catalog may not have your song.
• Make your own from the original recording by separating the voice from the music. The result keeps the real band, and it works for any song you have a file of.

How to make a karaoke track of a Spotify song

Spotify does not let you export its songs as files, and the app's downloads are locked to the app. So you need your own copy of the song first, such as a file you bought or a recording you own. Once you have it:

1. Open the Karaoke Maker and upload your file. It takes MP3, WAV, M4A or FLAC, up to 10 minutes long.
2. Sign in with Google, then press "Make a karaoke track." The price shows on the button first. Songs usually cost 1 credit per minute, and a new account gets 5 free credits.
3. Wait one to three minutes. In our own test, a 4 minute 44 second song split into six stems in 56 seconds.
4. Play the Instrumental reel to check it, and download it as an MP3 at 320 kbps. A file for a song of that length is about 10.9 MB.

You get two files: Instrumental (the music) and Vocals only (the singer). For karaoke you want the Instrumental one.

Then open the lyrics on Spotify, or any lyrics site, on a second screen and sing along to your own backing track. If you want just a clean backing track for a cover or a video, the Instrumental Maker is meant for that, and the Vocal Remover is the general page for taking the singing out of a song.

What to expect from the result

The separation is good, but it is not magic.

• You may hear faint traces of the singer in quiet moments.
• Backing vocals are removed together with the lead.
• Songs with heavy reverb, live crowds or a very dense mix leave more behind.
• Clean pop, rap and rock tracks with a clear lead voice usually come out best.

Listen to the whole track before a party, since the quiet intros and breaks are where leftovers are easiest to hear.

A note on rights

Making a backing track for private practice or a party at home is fine. Posting a karaoke video, streaming a performance or selling a track needs permission from the people who own the song. Many video platforms have their own rules for covers, so check before you publish.

Other ways to sing with lyrics

If you only want the words on screen, you have a few options:

• Use Spotify's lyrics view while you play your own backing track in another app.
• Use a karaoke video site or app, where the lyrics are part of the video.
• Print or display the lyrics from a trusted lyrics site.

If you like an artist's own version and only want to learn the song, the lyrics view alone may be enough.

FAQ

Does Spotify have a karaoke mode?

It has a lyrics view and has offered a sing-along style feature in some apps and regions. The exact name and availability change, so check your own app. It does not make a version of each song without the singer.

Can I turn off the vocals on Spotify?

Some app versions have offered a control that lowers the singer's volume on certain songs. If you do not have it, you can make your own backing track from a file with the Karaoke Maker.

Are the karaoke playlists on Spotify the original songs?

Usually not. They are most often re-recorded versions of the songs by other musicians, so they sound close to the original but not identical.

Can I download a Spotify song and remove the vocals?

Spotify's downloads only work inside the app. Use a file you own, such as a purchase or your own recording, and upload that to a separation tool.

How much does it cost to make a karaoke track?

Usually 1 credit per minute of song, and the price shows on the button before you start. New accounts start with 5 free credits, which is enough for one song up to 5 minutes. A failed job is refunded.