Can I Use Lirik Memories In Fanfiction With Permission?

Man, this is a tricky one! I've written my fair share of fanfiction and always wondered about using lyrics from 'Attack on Titan' or 'My Hero Academia' openings. From what I've dug up, fictional lyrics (like those in anime songs) are still protected by copyright, just like real-world music. Even if it's a fictional band from 'K-On!' or 'Beck', the creators own those words. That said, some fanfic writers use snippets under 'fair use'—like a line or two for emotional impact. But quoting entire verses? Risky. I’ve seen fandoms get hit with takedowns for that. My workaround? Write original lyrics inspired by the vibe! It’s safer and lets your creativity shine. Plus, readers love fresh twists on familiar themes.

I get why you'd want to drop a line from 'A Sky Full of Stars' into your fanfic — that chorus really sticks with you. From my experience posting in fandom spaces, quoting a single short line (or even a few words) and crediting the song and artist is often tolerated by readers and many hosting sites, but it’s not a free pass. Song lyrics are typically protected by copyright, and using more than a sliver—especially a chorus or multiple lines—can attract takedown notices from rights holders or automated filters. If you want to be practical about it, I usually pick one short line (no chorus) and put it in quotes with attribution like: "— 'A Sky Full of Stars', Coldplay". I try to keep it evocative but brief, and then write my own prose to echo the mood. When I’ve pushed beyond that and tried to post full verses, I’ve hit platform policies on different sites; some hosts are strict and will remove content on DMCA notices. If you plan to publish commercially or expect big traffic, consider asking for permission from the publisher, or better yet, use public-domain or Creative Commons music, or write original lyrics that capture the same feeling. I’m not a lawyer, but mixing a respectful, short quote with your own writing and checking the specific fanfiction site's policy usually keeps things chill. If you want, tell me where you plan to post it and I can tailor the tip for that platform.

I got curious about this a while back when a friend sent me the lyrics and asked who actually wrote 'Memories' — the one that was everywhere in 2019. The short, practical truth is that Adam Levine is the primary voice behind the song’s creation, but it was a collaborative effort. The published credits list Adam Levine with several co-writers (including members of the production team commonly known as The Monsters & Strangerz, like Jordan and Stefan Johnson, and other songwriters who helped shape the track). Musically the song borrows its harmonic feel from Pachelbel’s Canon in D, which gives it that instantly familiar, bittersweet loop. As for the backstory: Adam has said the song was written as a quiet, reflective piece about loss and remembering people who are gone — it isn’t a single-person obituary but more of a meditation on how we cope with grief and nostalgia. The lyrics are simple and conversational on purpose, which is probably why it hit a broad audience: it reads like someone raising a glass and thinking of old friends. If you want the exact official credits, checking the single’s liner notes or performing rights databases (like ASCAP or BMI) will give the full list of writers and publishers, since pop songs often have multiple co-writers and producers who all get credit. Personally, I found it cool that a modern pop song leaned so openly on a classical progression and still managed to feel intimate — it’s one of those tracks that sounds small but was built by a team.

I get a little excited whenever someone asks about covering a song — it means music is being shared, which is always nice. If you want to make an acoustic cover of 'lirik memories' legally, start by figuring out what kind of release you’re planning: a raw YouTube video, streaming audio on Spotify, a paid download, or live gigs all have different rules. For audio-only releases (Spotify, Apple Music, Bandcamp downloads, CDs), you need a mechanical license. In the U.S., that can be done through services like Songfile (Harry Fox Agency) to obtain a compulsory mechanical license if the original has already been released. That license requires paying mechanical royalties — for downloads/physical copies there’s a statutory rate (roughly 9.1 cents per copy for songs under five minutes), and streaming mechanics are handled differently but your distributor usually helps with reporting. If you don’t want to fuss with paperwork, many distributors offer cover-licensing options or partner with services that handle the mechanical side — just double-check what they cover. If you’re making a video (the typical acoustic-in-your-bedroom upload), that’s where sync licenses come in. Sync rights are controlled by the publisher and are not covered by the compulsory mechanical license. Practically, on platforms like YouTube, many publishers opt into Content ID and will either monetize or block videos instead of granting an explicit sync license. That means you can upload, but the publisher might take ad revenue or claim the video. If you want to monetize the cover yourself or avoid claims, contact the publisher directly to negotiate a sync license (smaller publishers can be surprisingly approachable). A couple of extra rules from personal experience: don’t change lyrics or melody without explicit permission (that becomes a derivative work), and don’t use the original master recording unless you have a master-use license. For live shows, venues typically have blanket performance licenses with PROs (ASCAP/BMI/PRS), but check if you’re doing a streamed live performance — streaming adds complications. I once uploaded a quiet acoustic version and got a Content ID claim; the video stayed up and the publisher took the revenue, which was annoying but legal. If you want full control, reach out to the publisher, get a sync license, or use the mechanical license routes and be careful about how you present the cover.

I get why you want to sing along to 'Memories' by Conan Gray — it's a gorgeous song. If you want to make a cover video with you singing the lyrics, here's the short-but-real scoop: audio-only covers and video covers are treated differently under music rights. In the U.S. there's a compulsory mechanical license for audio-only covers (so you can release a recorded cover on streaming services or sell downloads if you secure the mechanical license and pay royalties), but there is no compulsory sync license for video. That means if you put the song with video (you singing, or you + visuals), you technically need a sync license from the song's publisher to be fully legal. In practice on platforms like YouTube or TikTok, many creators upload covers and platforms often have agreements or Content ID systems that let the publisher claim revenue or block the video. So you can often upload a cover video and it will either stay up with ads going to the rights holder or get a claim or takedown depending on region and publisher policy. If you want absolute certainty — especially if you plan to monetize or use the clip in anything commercial — contact the music publisher for permission or use a licensing service that negotiates sync rights. Personally, I usually upload covers knowing Content ID might take the revenue; it’s imperfect, but it keeps my covers visible and the community supportive.