For reasons that remain a mystery to me—perhaps buried somewhere between karaoke and heartbreak—roughly 65% of the manuscripts I see come sprinkled with someone else’s song lyrics.
I get it. Lyrics pack an emotional punch. They anchor us to an era, sketch a character’s mood, and set a scene with a single line. Unfortunately, they also pack something else: a lawsuit.
Because, my darling scribes, lyrics are copyrighted.
Copyright: The Grim Reality
Copyright in the U.S. sticks around like an unwanted dinner guest.
- Pre-1978 works? Protected for 95 years.
- Post-1978? Protected for the author’s life, plus 70 years.
- And don’t forget: descendants and estates can renew those rights. Translation? Even if the artist is six feet under, their heirs are still collecting royalties while you’re out here risking your royalties-that-never-were.
If you insist on using lyrics, you’ll need to seek permission and pay for it. Yes, even if it’s just one juicy line.
The Fair Use Loophole (Tiny, Treacherous, and Best Avoided)
Yes, there’s “fair use” if you’re critiquing, commenting, reporting news, or doing scholarly research. But unless your novel is titled The Semiotics of Taylor Swift, this probably doesn’t apply. Even then, check with a copyright attorney before you swagger in with borrowed stanzas.
But Darling, Don’t Despair—Do Better
Here’s the thing: the very reason you’re tempted to quote that lyric is the exact reason you should challenge yourself to outdo it.
- Want to evoke an era? Craft a scene so vivid we can smell the Aqua Net and hear the cassette tape rewinding.
- Want to capture a character’s inner world? Show us through their choices, their voice, their contradictions. Don’t hand the heavy lifting to someone else’s hook.
- Want ambiance? Write ambiance. That’s literally your job.
Because every time you swap a lyric for your own prose, you’re not just dodging legal trouble—you’re flexing your writerly muscles.
Final Word (Without the Music)
Lyrics belong to the songwriter. But your story? That belongs to you. Don’t dilute it with borrowed lines. Outshine them. Outwrite them. Make us forget you ever considered quoting Journey.
And if you find yourself stuck, tempted, or tangled in the legal weeds—fear not. Ghostwriters and author coaches exist to help you finish the book you actually want to write (without the risk of Beyoncé’s legal team breathing down your neck). Reach out—we’ve got your back.
Now, put down the borrowed chorus and give us something unforgettable of your own.
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