How to Record a Cover Song Without Memorizing the Lyrics
For singers making covers and originals for TikTok, Reels and YouTube: the lyrics over your own picture, the music playing, and a clean take of just you.
You know the song, mostly. Then the second verse arrives on take six and it's gone. The fix most people try is a lyric sheet taped next to the camera, which is why so many covers have the singer's eyes drifting off to the side.
QMe Prompter puts the lyrics right over your own picture while you film, keeps them moving with the music, and saves a clean video of just you.
What you need
- An iPhone or iPad with QMe Prompter (free for 3 songs).
- The song's lyrics, with chords if you play.
- Your backing track as an audio file, or the original on Apple Music for practice.
Step by step
- Add the song.Paste the lyrics, search for them in the app, or snap a photo of a chord sheet. Chords stay above the right words.
- Attach the music.Add your backing track (Pro), or link the song in Apple Music to rehearse along with the record.
- Pick how the words move.Lock them to the backing track, let them follow your voice as you sing, or scroll to the song's tempo.
- Hit record and choose "Video, You".The front camera comes on, and you see yourself with the lyrics moving over your picture, so you can check your framing and still read.
- Sing.The backing track plays while you record, so your take has the music on it, and the count-in stays silent so no clicks land on your video.
- Keep the best take.Name it, play it back full screen, and share it from the Takes tab. With Pro, one tap cleans up the audio and gives the picture a Natural, Warm, Punch or Mono look, and your original is never overwritten.
The lyrics are only on your screen. They are never recorded into the video.
Tips that make a cover look better
- Put the phone at eye level. The words sit over your own picture, so your eyes stay near the lens.
- Use a backing track without the lead vocal. Made the song in Suno? Here is how to get one: Perform your Suno songs live.
- Loop the hard part first. Loop the bridge with the music until you have it, then record the whole song.
- Going live instead? Put the lyrics into OBS as a see-through layer so you can read on stream while viewers see only you.
What it costs
QMe Prompter is free for 3 songs and 3 recordings, with a 30 day full-access trial and no card. Pro is $2.99 a month or $29.95 a year.
Questions
Can I record a cover song with the lyrics in front of me?
Yes. In QMe Prompter, hit record and choose the front camera. You see yourself with the lyrics and chords moving over your picture while your backing track plays, and the words follow your voice or lock to the music.
Will the lyrics show up in my video?
No. The lyrics are only on your screen. The saved video is just you.
Does the backing track play while I record?
Yes. If the song has a backing track attached, it plays while you record, so your take has the music on it. The count-in stays silent so no clicks land on the video.
Related: Best teleprompter app for content creators · Perform your Suno songs live · A teleprompter that follows your voice
Record your next cover with it
Free to download, 30 days of everything, no card. Add a song and hit record.
Download on the App Store