Spotify Just Made Lyrics Way Better. Here’s What Changed

Spotify finally fixed one of its most requested features. And honestly, it’s about time.

The streaming giant just rolled out major upgrades to its lyrics experience. Now you can view lyrics offline, access translations in any country, and find them in a more convenient spot. Plus, the changes reveal Spotify’s ongoing strategy to convert free users into paying subscribers.

Offline Lyrics Land for Premium Users

Here’s the headline feature. Premium subscribers can now view song lyrics without an internet connection.

That might sound basic. But it’s a game-changer for commuters, travelers, and anyone with spotty connectivity. Previously, you needed an active connection just to see the words you’re singing along to.

Spotify clearly positions this as a Premium perk. It’s another nudge pushing free users toward the $10.99 monthly subscription. The company tried a harder paywall approach in 2024, restricting all lyrics to Premium members. That sparked massive backlash. So Spotify backed off and took a softer approach instead.

Now they’re testing a middle ground. Free users keep basic lyrics access. Premium members get the offline bonus. It’s less aggressive than the 2024 experiment but still creates subscription incentive.

Lyrics Move to a Better Spot

Spotify relocated where lyrics appear in the app. They now sit directly below the album artwork or the short looping video that plays with tracks.

Why does placement matter? User testing showed this prominent position increased engagement with lyrics significantly. Previously, lyrics felt hidden. You had to actively seek them out. Now they’re right there in your face while you listen.

The change applies to both free and Premium users on iOS and Android smartphones and tablets. So everyone benefits from the improved visibility. You can still share favorite lyrics snippets to social media from the Now Playing view too.

This redesign suggests Spotify learned something important. Making features visible matters more than you’d think. Even users who claimed they wanted lyrics often ignored them when buried in menus. Put them front and center? Usage jumps.

Translations Go Global

Lyrics translations, which launched in 2022 for select markets, now work everywhere Spotify operates.

Previously, only 25 countries supported translated lyrics. That left millions of users without access to this helpful feature. The global rollout fixes that gap.

Here’s how it works. Tap the translate icon on any lyrics card. The translation appears beneath the original words. Your device’s default language determines which translation you see. So if your phone runs in Spanish, you’ll get Spanish translations automatically.

This matters for language learners, international listeners, and anyone curious about what they’re singing. K-pop fans, for instance, can finally understand Korean lyrics without leaving the app. Same goes for Latin music, French rap, or Japanese rock.

The translations aren’t perfect. Machine translation rarely is. But they’re good enough to grasp meaning and context. That’s often all you need.

The Long Road to Lyrics

Spotify took forever to add lyrics properly. Licensing issues held things up for years despite massive user demand.

The company finally rolled out real-time lyrics globally in 2021. That came after a limited launch in a couple dozen markets in 2020. Before that? Years of testing dating back to 2019.

Even earlier, Spotify partnered with Genius for a “behind the lyrics” feature. It combined partial lyrics with song trivia. Users hated it. They wanted full lyrics, not fun facts about the recording studio.

The delay frustrated users who’d had lyrics on Apple Music for years. Spotify’s competitors all offered the feature. So why did Spotify lag behind?

Music publishers wanted money. They own the rights to lyrics just like they own rights to recordings. Spotify needed to negotiate deals with thousands of publishers worldwide. That takes time and cash.

Now that those deals are in place, Spotify can experiment with lyrics features freely. Hence the translations, offline access, and improved placement we’re seeing today.

What This Means for Users

These changes improve Spotify’s value proposition across the board. Free users get better lyrics placement and global translations. Premium subscribers add offline access to their benefits package.

But let’s be honest. Offline lyrics won’t convert millions to Premium by itself. Most people upgrade for ad-free listening, better audio quality, or unlimited skips. Lyrics are nice. They’re not the main draw.

Still, every Premium feature adds up. Someone on the fence about subscribing might see offline lyrics as the final nudge they needed. Spotify clearly thinks the investment is worth it.

For existing Premium users, offline lyrics feel like Spotify finally delivered something they should have had years ago. It’s the kind of feature that doesn’t wow you but makes daily use smoother.

Translations matter more for global users. Being able to understand foreign-language tracks without switching apps removes friction. That keeps people in Spotify’s ecosystem longer.

The Bigger Strategy

These updates fit Spotify’s broader push to justify Premium subscriptions without alienating free users completely.

The company learned from its 2024 lyrics paywall disaster. Going too hard on restrictions backfires. Users revolt. Bad press piles up. Subscriber growth stalls.

So instead, Spotify now uses a tiered approach. Free users get core features. Premium adds convenience and quality-of-life improvements. It’s a softer sell that avoids the backlash while still creating upgrade incentive.

Expect more features to follow this pattern. Spotify will keep adding Premium-only perks that feel valuable without crippling the free experience. Offline lyrics won’t be the last.

The streaming wars keep heating up. Apple Music, YouTube Music, and Amazon Music all compete for listeners. Features like improved lyrics help Spotify differentiate and retain users.

Whether these changes move the needle on Premium conversions remains to be seen. But they definitely make Spotify a better app for everyone. And sometimes that’s enough.