How to Use the Song Recognition Feature for the iPhone

by Paul Kemp
Finally figure out who sings that song that's stuck in your head.

Finally figure out who sings that song that's stuck in your head.

Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images

Use free applications from the App Store store to turn your iPhone into a powerful tool for recognizing unknown songs. Song recognition apps like Shazam and SoundHound listen to short clips of songs and identify them almost immediately. In a few minutes you can download, install and start using either of these programs to get instant gratification and find out more information about songs you hear while your out and about.

Shazam

Step 1

Download the Shazam app from the App Store on your iPhone.

Step 2

Tap the Shazam app icon to open the program.

Step 3

Point the bottom of your iPhone toward the speakers playing the song you want to identify.

Step 4

Touch the Shazam logo in the middle of your iPhone screen beneath the text "Touch to Shazam." Shazam will take a short sample of the song. A black circle will form around the Shazam logo in the center of your screen, indicating the sample is being taken and interpreted. The song and artist will be displayed on your screen once the program has matched it. You will also be able to see the artist's tour schedule and YouTube videos from the artist, download the song on iTunes, post a Facebook or Twitter message about the song, search for ringtones specific to that song or artist and more.

Step 5

Open the Shazam app and tap the "My Tags" icon at the bottom of the screen to review previously recognized songs.

SoundHound

Step 1

Download the free SoundHound app from the App Store on your iPhone.

Step 2

Tap the icon for the SoundHound app on your iPhone screen to open the program.

Step 3

Point the bottom of your iPhone toward the speakers playing the song you want to identify.

Step 4

Tap the "What's That Song? Tap Here" icon in the middle of your iPhone screen. SoundHound will listen for a few seconds to the song being played. When the song has been matched, SoundHound will display the artist, song title and album the song can be found on. You can also elect to download the song on iTunes, view song lyrics, find ringtones related to the song or artist, post messages about the song on Facebook or Twitter, view YouTube videos related to the song, and much more.

Step 5

Tap the "History" icon along the bottom of the SoundHound home screen to review songs you've previously recognized with the program.

Tip

  • Download these apps to your iPhone by tapping the "App Store" app icon on your iPhone. Use the "Search" option at the bottom of the screen to search for each program. Click the free version of each program. Click "Install" and then enter your password to install each program on your iPhone. Both Shazam and SoundHound have paid apps available, so make sure you select the free version of each program.

About the Author

Paul Kemp is a writer and former political junkie. He has written copy for university publications and professional organizations. He is currently working on a book and screenplay about his time on the campaign trail during the 2008 election and teaches test prep classes.

Photo Credits

  • Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images