Can I Legally Use The Justin Bieber Yummy Lyrics For A Cover?

I get the impulse — singing along to 'Yummy' and wanting to share your take feels so natural. From my years messing around with covers, here’s the core: you can perform 'Yummy' as a cover, but what you do with the recording matters legally. If you're just singing it live at a bar or open mic, the venue usually handles public performance licenses through organizations like ASCAP/BMI/SESAC, so you’re generally safe. If you record an audio-only version and want to distribute it (Spotify, Apple Music, sell downloads), you need a mechanical license. In the U.S. there’s a compulsory mechanical license system for cover songs once the original was released; that means you can obtain a license and pay the statutory rate (think ~9.1¢ per copy for most songs) rather than asking permission directly. Services like Songfile, HFA, DistroKid’s cover licensing, or CD Baby can help arrange that.

Where people get tripped up is video covers. Pairing your voice with video (a YouTube performance, TikTok, Instagram Reels) usually requires a synchronization license from the song’s copyright holder — and unlike mechanicals, there’s no compulsory sync license, so you need direct permission or risk Content ID claims, demonetization, or takedowns. Also, reproducing lyric text (like posting the full lyrics in your video description or on a website) is a separate right; that typically requires permission from the publisher. If you’re changing the words, that’s creating a derivative work and needs explicit approval.

My practical tip: identify the publisher first (search ASCAP/BMI databases), use a cover-licensing service for audio releases, and reach out to the publisher for sync if you want video. If you just want to post a casual cover on YouTube and don’t mind the publisher monetizing it through Content ID, that’s a common route — but it’s not the same as formal permission. I always try to give credit in descriptions and keep receipts for licenses; it saves headaches later.

I like simple checklists when I’m figuring this out: performing live? Usually covered by venue PRO licenses. Posting an audio cover for streaming or sale? Get a mechanical license—services like Songfile, HFA, DistroKid, or CD Baby can help you acquire one and handle royalty payments. Posting a video cover of 'Yummy'? You need a synchronization license from the publisher — there’s no automatic/legal shortcut, though many creators upload and accept Content ID claims on platforms like YouTube. If you plan to change lyrics, publish the lyrics, or use the song in a commercial context, you must get explicit permission from the copyright holder. I always recommend checking the song’s publisher via ASCAP/BMI databases, deciding whether you’ll monetize the post (which affects your approach), and contacting the publisher for sync rights when needed — it’s a bit of legwork, but way less stressful than dealing with takedowns later.

I still get butterflies the first time I upload a cover, so I totally get the question about 'Yummy'. In short: singing the song for fun on your Instagram Story or at a live mic is usually fine (venues/pros take care of performances), but when you record and post it online, the type of license you need changes. For audio-only releases like Spotify or Bandcamp, you should secure a mechanical license. There are user-friendly options: Songfile for single covers, or services like DistroKid and CD Baby that can assist with the licensing process when you distribute.

For videos (think YouTube or TikTok), things get trickier because you need a sync license to pair the music with visuals — publishers control that. Sometimes YouTube's Content ID handles covers by matching the song and giving the publisher monetization rights, which is why many creators just upload and accept that a claim will show up. That can be okay if you don’t plan to monetize. If you want to monetize your version or avoid claims, contact the publisher directly or use a licensing platform that negotiates sync rights. Also, never paste the full lyrics in your post without permission; lyric reproduction is its own right. When I did my first cover, I used an aggregator that managed the mechanicals and let Content ID handle the rest — worked out, but I made peace with publisher monetization. If you want to go pro, reach out for sync clearance first.