When I was using Windows, I had an application called MiniLyrics which let me display the lyrics of the music files played. The application automatically downloads the lyrics and displays them while the song plays. Is there a similar application in Ubuntu that I could use?
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1Most music players are able to download an display lyrics either per default or throug a plugin. How to set this up depends on the player used. Which player are you using?– TakkatNov 4, 2011 at 8:56
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1I usually use Banshee or VLC. Seems like OSDLyrics works with a very limited number of music players. Good thing is it works well with all of my music players (Clementine, Rhythmbox, VLC and Banshee). :D– jokerdino ♦Nov 4, 2011 at 9:01
6 Answers
After a bit of Google researching, I ended up with this article on OMG!Ubuntu. The OSD-Lyrics they suggested works like the way Minilyrics used to work. So, I am delighted.
OSDLyrics can be installed by the following steps:
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:osd-lyrics/ppa
sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install osdlyrics
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1This PPA does not work on 13.10 => askubuntu.com/questions/207073/… | Also; It does not work properly: askubuntu.com/questions/tagged/lyrics– miniMar 24, 2014 at 17:22
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Note that on more recent versions of Ubuntu it's in the default repositories:
sudo apt install osdlyrics python3-pycurl
(tested on 23.04) May 25, 2023 at 21:08
Why have a separate app for lyrics and not have them within the player? Maybe the external app like osdlyrics has a larger database? In fact it is far from matching Clementine's or that of Foobar2000 addons like Lyric Show Panel 3.
Clementine:
Foobar2000 in Wine/Playonlinux (excellent access to synced lyrics option to save them in tags etc):
DeaDBeeF:
I trust there are other good players to be used for this.
There is also a screenlet lyrics (works great with Banshee), all you need to do is to install Screenlets(widget applications):
Note: Installing software from PPA may pose a security risk.
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:screenlets/ppa
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install screenlets
And then add Lyrics widget to the desktop.
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1Tell me, please, are there other settings? - -installed screenlets and lyrics but all I get is a volume sign with a question mark. Does it work with xfce desktop?– user47206Feb 23, 2012 at 15:10
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Audacious
The plugin that has to be stated is called LyricWiki.
Audacious GTK, in Settings>Plugins:
Lyrics are shown in a separate window:
The above is the GTK UI, but that window looks the same with the classic Winamp-like interface:
Once closed, that window needs to be enabled by selecting the plugin again as above.
The same is true for Audacious Qt interface, but there the lyrics window can be integrated within the main one.
With the Qt UI we can increase fonts by scrolling while holding CTRL.
Qmmp
Similarly, the plugin needs to be enabled: Edit>Settings>Plugins>General
Then, select track in playlist and press CTRL-L, or: right click, Actions. Sadly, this has to be done for each track, as the lyrics window keep showing the first ones.
It seems the plugin searches before opening the window. No window opened means no lyrics available.
To increase fonts, scroll while holding CTRL.
On 14.04, if you are using Banshee, you can check this answer, as the lyrics plugin seems still broken to the date.
The script found there is simple and I believe it can be easily updated to work with other music players.
The following lyrics packages can be installed from the default Ubuntu repositories in all currently supported versions of Ubuntu (12.04/14.04/16.04/16.10/17.04/17.10/18.04).
- banshee-extension-lyrics - lyrics extension for Banshee Media Player
- ncmpc-lyrics - ncurses-based audio player (lyrics plugins)
- clementine - If Clementine music player can identify a song, lyrics can be displayed in the information panel. This is built into Clementine without the need for any plugin.