How to: Get paid to do Cover Songs

First, let's start off with an example: This cover was #1 most viewed/shared in US youtube trends 02/25

 Katy Perry - Part of Me. 

     This is a cover by Neoclubber and they have the song available for download on iTunes.  How did they do a cover song and get listed on iTunes?  The answer is: They got the proper licensing!  That's it, no highly-paid attorney (well what attorney isn't), no mysterious behind the scenes magic, no hiding the song from the original artist and publisher -  they simply got the proper licensing and have legal permission to distribute or sell a set number of copies.  So, Neoclubber is now getting paid to do a cover song!
     Usually for cover songs, you want to seek what's called a Mechanical license, which basically allows you to use part of a song (for example the beat or lyrics), add your own creative spin on it and distribute it.  There have been many breakthroughs making the process easier for you get licensed.  From Wikipedia, "In the United States of America, most mechanical licenses are obtained through the Harry Fox Agency. Other commercial agencies such as RightsFlow (via the Limelight online mechanical license form utility) ..."
     Did you know that you can not legally pass out a free CD with an instrumental from a copyrighted song and your lyrics?  Just because you are not getting a profit, the CD still contains someone else's work and you need proper licensing to distribute it.
     If all else fails, you may want you get one of those high-power attorneys.  Hope this helps ;) Clear ANY cover song in minutes at SongClearance.com. Get Started Now!