Can I Use Lyrics Dusk Till Dawn In My Cover Legally?

I once uploaded a cover of a song and got hit with a Content ID claim within hours, so I get why this is confusing. For 'Dusk Till Dawn', the most important split is whether you're only doing audio or also doing video. Recording an audio cover? Get a mechanical license. There are practical services that make that easy — HFA Songfile, Loudr used to be a thing, and nowadays many indie distributors will handle covers for you for a fee. That keeps you legal for downloads and streams, and ensures the songwriter/publisher gets royalties.

If you want to film yourself performing the cover and post it to YouTube, Instagram, or TikTok, you're entering sync territory. Sync licenses are negotiated with the publisher and aren’t guaranteed — publishers can say no or ask for a fee or a share of ad revenue. Often publishers simply claim the video (via YouTube’s Content ID) and monetize it themselves, but that's not the same as a formal sync license. Also, if you plan to put the lyrics in the description or on-screen captions, that’s a separate display/print right; many publishers won’t let you show lyrics without a license.

A few quick practical steps I follow now: look up the song’s publisher (PRO databases like ASCAP/BMI or global catalogs help), decide which license I need (mechanical for audio; sync for video; print/display for lyrics), and use a licensing service or contact the publisher. If you’re just jamming live at a small bar, usually the venue’s PRO license covers the performance. If you plan to monetize the cover commercially, be extra careful and get written permission when possible. It can be a bit of a chore, but it’s better than dealing with takedowns or legal headaches later.

I love covering songs, and I get asked this kind of question all the time: can you legally use the lyrics of 'Dusk Till Dawn' in a cover? Short take up front — yes, but there are a few legal boxes to tick depending on how you plan to distribute or display the song.

If you're only recording an audio-only cover and releasing it on streaming platforms or selling downloads, you'll generally need a mechanical license (in many countries this is handled through a compulsory license system). In the U.S. you can obtain a mechanical license through services like HFA Songfile or through distributor tools — services such as DistroKid and Easy Song Licensing also offer cover licensing options. That license allows you to reproduce and distribute the composition as long as you don't change the melody or lyrics. If you tweak lyrics or translate them, you need explicit permission from the publisher.

If you want to post a video of your cover (you singing along in a room, a filmed performance, TikTok, YouTube), that's when synchronization (sync) rights come in. Sync rights are not covered by the mechanical license — you must get permission from the song’s publisher to pair the composition with visuals. YouTube sometimes handles claims automatically via Content ID and publishers often monetize or block covers, but that doesn’t mean you have the sync license — it just means the rights holder is enforcing their rights. Also, displaying the lyrics (in a caption, on-screen, or in the description) usually requires a print/display license from the publisher.

For live performances, most venues already license public performances through PROs like ASCAP, BMI, PRS, or their local equivalents, so you’re usually covered when you perform live in a licensed venue. International rules vary, so if you’re outside the U.S. check the local mechanical and sync regimes. My practical tip: decide where you want your cover to live (audio-only vs video vs live), then secure the appropriate mechanical or sync licenses before publishing. It’s a bit of paperwork, but worth it to avoid takedowns or surprise claims — and it feels great knowing the original creators are getting paid while you share a song you love.

If you want to use the lyrics of 'Dusk Till Dawn' in a cover, think about three distinct rights: mechanical (for audio recordings), synchronization (for combining the song with video), and print/display (for showing lyrics). In many countries you can secure a mechanical license for an audio-only cover — that lets you distribute recordings as long as you don’t change the melody or words. For videos, though, you normally need a sync license negotiated with the publisher; platforms like YouTube may permit uploads but the publisher can monetize or block via Content ID, and that doesn’t substitute for permission. Displaying the lyrics in captions or descriptions typically requires a separate license; posting the full lyrics in your video or description without permission is risky.

Live performance is usually covered by the venue’s public performance licenses through PROs (ASCAP/BMI/PRS etc.), so performing live in a licensed venue is generally fine. If you plan to translate or alter the lyrics, you must get the publisher’s approval — derivative works aren’t allowed under standard cover licenses. Practical route: find the publisher (PRO databases help), obtain a mechanical license for audio releases, negotiate sync rights for videos, and get a print/display license if you’re showing lyrics. If that sounds like a lot, there are services and distributors that handle cover licensing for a fee, which is what I use when I want to post polished covers without surprises.