What Are the Two "Sides" of a Song?

Understanding Song Copyright: Two Permissions Needed

It is important to note that when using a song, there can be two separate copyrights involved. These are commonly referred to as the "two sides of permission" needed.

1. The "Publishing" Side - This is permission for the song itself (musical composition). It covers the written music, including the melody, lyrics, and harmony. The rights for this are typically owned by the songwriter(s) or their publishing company.
2. The "Master" Side - This is permission for the recorded version (sound recording) you're using. It covers the specific audio recording of the song, like the one you hear on a CD or streaming service. The rights for this are usually owned by the recording artist or the record label.

Important Note: Even if you're only using a specific recording of a song, you are still using the underlying written music. Therefore, you will always need to obtain permission from both the songwriter(s) and the owner of the recording.