Can Hard 2 Face Reality Lyrics Be Used For Covers?

I still get a little excited every time I pick up a mic for a cover, but I’ve also learned to be careful about the paperwork. If you’re only performing 'Hard 2 Face Reality' live or in an informal stream, chances are the venue or platform already covers performance rights. I once sang a room full of friends and it felt free as air — no permissions to chase, just the music.

Making a recorded cover available publicly is where I slow down. For audio-only distribution, you’ll want a mechanical license so the songwriters get paid; services like DistroKid or similar can obtain this for you for a fee and handle royalties. For videos where the music is synchronized to images (even just you singing on camera), many publishers require a sync license, and that’s not something a compulsory mechanical license covers. YouTube often processes covers through Content ID — your video might stay up, but the publisher could claim monetization. If you plan to alter the lyrics or display them in full in your description or on-screen, get written permission from the publisher — reproducing lyrics is tightly controlled.

A simple path I use: decide the platform first (Spotify vs YouTube vs TikTok), check whether that platform has built-in music licenses, use a cover licensing service for audio, and reach out to the publisher for sync or lyric reproduction. Credit the original writers in your post — it’s polite and often required — and that usually keeps things smooth.

I've done a bunch of covers over the years, and the short, practical truth is: you can sing the lyrics of 'Hard 2 Face Reality' in a cover, but what you do with that recording or video changes the rules. Live performances are the friendliest scenario — venues and streaming platforms usually handle public performance rights through their blanket licenses with performing rights organizations (so you can sing it at a bar or at a livestream jam without asking the songwriter directly).

If you want to record and distribute the audio (put it on Spotify, Apple Music, Bandcamp, etc.), you generally need a mechanical license to reproduce and distribute the composition. In the U.S. there’s a compulsory mechanical licensing system, but many creators find it easier to use services that secure the license for you (DistroKid, Soundrop, or Loudr-style services). For video — like a YouTube or Instagram cover — it's trickier because showing the music synced to visuals usually requires a sync license, and that’s not covered by the compulsory mechanical license. Platforms like YouTube often let covers stay up but will route ad revenue to the copyright owner via Content ID; other platforms (TikTok, Instagram) have their own music deals and limitations.

One more practical note: changing lyrics or reworking them into a parody is a different legal beast and usually needs permission unless it clearly falls under parody fair use (which is risky). Also printing the full lyrics in your video description or on merch needs explicit permission from the publisher. When I uploaded a cover once, I used a cover-licensing service and credited the songwriter in the description — it saved headaches and meant the royalties were handled properly. If you want, I can walk you through step-by-step how to secure the right licenses for the platform you plan to use.

I like keeping covers simple, so here’s a quick, clear take: singing 'Hard 2 Face Reality' yourself is fine for live shows and most casual performances, but when you record and put that cover online you need to think about copyright. For audio distribution you typically need a mechanical license (many services will get this for you). For video covers, a sync license is often required and platforms like YouTube deal with publishers through Content ID — meaning the rights holder might claim the revenue but often won’t force you to take the video down.

Don’t print or post the full lyrics without permission, and don’t change the lyrics unless you’ve cleared that with the publisher. If you’re using TikTok or Instagram, check their in-app music library first; it can save a lot of hassle. When I post covers I always credit the song and use a licensing service if I plan to distribute widely — it’s not glamorous but it keeps things legal and respectful to the original creators.