ChristianDance Lyric Formatting Guidelines

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Every lyric that we submit must be formatted in a specific way to ensure consistency. Musixmatch, Genius, and LyricFind each have their own Lyric Formatting Guidelines. We have built special tools to help us convert lyrics that meet the below guidelines to the formatting guidelines required by Musixmatch, Genius, and LyricFind.

The following guidelines below help to minimize the rework that is needed to structure your lyrics in the manner required by each service.


Please note: At this moment, we only support lyric submissions in the English and Dutch languages.


General Formatting

  1. The structure of a song should dictate a lyrics format or structure. Lyrics should reflect the lyrical construction and progression of the song and the natural cadence of the lyrical framework.

    Please label each section (stanza) with a label. You can only use the following stanza labels (pick a label that is the closest match for each stanza):

    #INTRO, #VERSE, #HOOK, #BRIDGE, #PRE-CHORUS, #CHORUS, #INSTRUMENTAL, #OUTRO

    We will remove / modify these stanza labels as needed by the targeted service.

  2. Lyrics should be written in the language intended by the writer, and uses the applicable character. No Transliterations. If the language is Mandarin, Mandarin characters must be used. Do not use English characters that mimic Mandarin.
    Lyrics sung in languages different from the song's primary language should be transcribed in the language in which they are sung, not phonetically.

  3. The beginning of each line should start with a capital letter.

  4. Other song information should be deleted from inside the lyric text, such as artist, album or song name, or writer and publisher credits. Only the lyrics should be included.

  5. Any word cut short should have one apostrophe in place of the missing letters. For example: givin’, livin’.

  6. No words should be misspelled unless the artist specifically pronounces the word that way or if the word is purposely misspelled in the title. For example: “The Dells – Oh, What a Nite”

  7. Slang is acceptable but the artist must pronounce it that way.
    Note: When we submit to LyricFind,     slang will only be used if the word sounds differently than the grammatically correct word. For example, “for shizzle” can be used, but “becuz” will be spelled “because”. Only Musixmatch and Genius allow alternative spelling for slang.

  8. Exaggerations are fine, but for LyricFind we will cut them down to the original word or punctuation. For example, “ohhhh” will become “oh” on LyricFind, and “bang!!!!!” will become “bang!” on LyricFind.

We always listen and compare what we hear with the lyrics transcript, and make the needed corrections.

Missing / poorly made lyric transcripts will stop the submission process. We will notify you if the lyrics need to be improved.

Background Vocals

Background vocals are described as vocal content, word and non-word/onomatopoeia heard behind primary foreground vocals, or “hushed” vocal content occurring mid-line or end of the line. Background vocals should be placed on the same line they’re said but in parentheses. Parentheses should be used to set off non-main lyrics.

Background vocals, both word and non-word, should only be transcribed if they add to the song's content, either narratively or stylistically. (e.g., as loud as other words)

Featured Artist content is considered main lyrics and should not be placed in parentheses.

Example: I’m a survivor (what, what)

Punctuation

Keep punctuation minimal, although it is most important to follow traditional English grammar rules. However, there should be no periods or commas at the end of any lyric line. Exclamation points, question marks, and quotation marks should be the only end-line punctuation and should only be included as needed.

Punctuation, such as commas, may be used mid-line as needed.

Note: No matter how the artist is presenting, do not repeat punctuation to convey emphasis. (For example, “!!!” or “??”)

Additional examples of acceptable punctuation:

  • Hyphens: dropped words, spelled out words, and acronyms. (L-Y-R-I-C-S)

  • Parentheses: background vocals (see section labeled “Background Vocals”)

  • Apostrophe: for certain slang and contractual modifications (‘Rari for Ferrari)

  • Periods: representing acronyms commonly delimited with periods (F.B.I.)

Line breaks vs. Section breaks

When transcribing lyrics, it is important to separate the lyrical sections and changes within a song with line and section breaks. All lyric lines should be single-spaced, and a double-space should separate each stanza.

If you're unsure when to input a line or section break, common identifiers are:

  • Changes in the beat/rhythm

  • Changes in the song tempo

  • The artist changes the method of lyric delivery (Singing to Rapping)

  • A defined chorus or hook


Capitalization

We follow traditional English grammar rules for capitalization in our lyrics.

Proper nouns must be capitalized. Additionally, all lyric lines must begin with a capital letter. Lastly, yelling, screaming, or any indicator of a significant rise in the volume of an artist’s voice in a song should be capitalized but used sparingly.

Must be capitalized:

  • Divinity and religious intricacies (“God, You, Him, Your” in religious songs)

  • Acronyms (NASA, FBI, etc.)

  • A Geographical location (East Coast, Southside, etc.)

  • Title casing

  • The first letter of the first word contained in parentheses

  • Brand names


Repeated lines

If a line is repeated, it should be written out, however many times it is said. When words repeat to the end and fade out of a song, ellipses may represent this fadeout. This is the only acceptable use of ellipses in transcriptions.

Correct:

Until you respect me and my dogs

I’ll keep barking up the wrong tree

I’ll keep barking up the wrong tree

I’ll keep barking up the wrong tree

I’ll keep barking up the wrong tree....

Incorrect:

Until you respect me and my dogs

I’ll keep barking up the wrong tree

(Repeat x3)

Spoken Word Content

All spoken word/conversational content within a recording should be transcribed. Especially with live versions.

If the singer speaks in a live version (for example, introducing the members of the band or telling the audience to turn their phone lights on, etc.), it should be included in the lyrics as long as it doesn’t overlap with the song or it doesn’t take away its main flow.


Non-Word Vocal Sounds

Non-word vocals should be transcribed sparingly and only if they add to the song's content, either narratively or stylistically. However, easily identifiable non-words spoken by artists should be transcribed.

  • Do not write out any sounds or computer-generated sound effects that are heard in the song, like “gunshot”, “clap”, “horn”, etc.

  • Remove all labels such as [Talking], {Speaking}, or (Whispering).

  • Improvised scatting (jazz singing using non-word sounds) is considered instrumental content and should not be transcribed (e.g., “Ashoobie-woobie-ska-ba-doop-e-doop”)

  • Non-lyrical, or “Harmonious Non-Word Vocal Sounds,” should be transcribed.

Harmonious Examples

  • Ooh (sounds like“ooo”)

  • Ah (sounds like “ahh”)

  • Oh (sounds like “O”)

  • Whoa (“What’s new pussycat, whoa-whoa-whoa-oh”)

  • Mmm

  • Ha (“I’m a soul man, ha”)

  • La (La-la-la)

  • Da (De, Do Do Do De, Da Da Da)

  • Do (De, Do Do Do, De Da Da Da)

  • De (De, Do Do Do **De** Da Da Da)

Stylized Examples:

  • Skrrt or Skrrt-Skrrt (car sound)

  • Burr (referring to all things “cold”)

  • Brrr/brrrt (phone or bird or gun)

  • Rah/Rrrah/Grrah (interjection)

  • Rrr/Grrr (growl)

  • Woo! (interjection)

  • Pow!/Bow! (interjection, gun)

  • Shh (hushing/quiet)

  • Blaow! (Interjection)


Samples and Sampled Content

Sampled content is described as sounds, voices, instrumentation, or any portion of one sound recording used stylistically in a separate recording or song.

Sampled content should be transcribed if it supports the lyrical content of the song. Electronic or reproduced audio that clearly adds value to the lyrical content should be transcribed.


Censored and Explicit Lyrics

We are a service dedicated to Christian music. There is no place in Christian music for any (partially) censored or explicit language. If any content needs to be dropped / edited by representing the text with asterisks, then we will not process the song lyrics. Please find another organization to process content that should be marked as censored / explicit.


Translations

(Note: We are currently not supporting translations)

  1. When translating lyrics, translate the context and meaning. When possible, do not translate literally.

  2. Translated lyrics must have the same number of lines as the original lyrics.

  3. Each translated line must translate the matched line from the original set of lyrics in its entirety.

Timestamps

Timestamped lyrics are welcomed in LRC format. (See: https://rclyricsband.com/what-is-an-lrc-file-full-explanation/)