SecondHandSongs is a comprehensive, collaborative database dedicated to identifying the original performers of musical works and tracking their subsequent covers, samples, and adaptations SecondHandSongs Quick Start Guide Find the Original Main Search

  • Community Review: Your submission enters a queue. Registered users vote “Correct,” “Incorrect,” or “Partial.” After 3 positive votes, it becomes public.

    • SecondHandSongs is not a commercial juggernaut. It runs on donations and volunteer effort. In 2018, the site underwent a major redesign and server migration (moving from a custom PHP script to a modern framework) to handle traffic spikes. However, two challenges remain:

    music genealogy database

    We are not a streaming service or a legal clearinghouse. We are a . Our data is used by musicologists, DJs, producers, copyright researchers, and curious fans worldwide.

    1. Search First: Ensure the song or artist does not already exist.
    2. Add Work: If the song doesn't exist, you must create the abstract "Work" first.
    3. Add Version: You then attach a "Version" to that Work.

      Q: Who sings a song better, the original or the cover?

      A: We don’t judge quality. We only document existence and relationships. Popularity votes are for “is this a real cover?” not “which version is best?”

      1. Verify Original: Ensure the original work is already in the database. If not, add the original “Work” first.
      2. Add Performance: Submit the performer name, year, album/single, and a link to an audio source (YouTube, Spotify, etc.).
      3. Classify Relationship: Choose the connection type:

        Community and Discovery

        : Users value it as a discovery tool to find new versions of their favorite songs or explore "obscure originals" and "revival covers" through curated picks. User Considerations

        How does it stack up against competitors?

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