Music is about the past, present and future in so many ways. And it is with the history of music in mind that Spotify is rolling out a new feature called “About the Song”.
Going far beyond the basic facts about the writing and performance credits for a track, “About the Song” reveals the story of the songs you play. Drawing on information from third-party sources, the feature gives background information about tracks as well as context and meaning.
While “About the Song” is only just starting to roll out, it is something that Spotify first talked about back in November. At the time, the company also shared details of other features that reveal more information about songs, including Song Credits and SongDNA.
When it was first announced, Spotify said of “About the Song”:
We’re also soon launching About the song to help listeners better understand your creative process. Spotify Premium listeners will be able to explore swipeable cards in the ‘Now Playing’ view that share a deeper look at your music: what inspired it, the stories behind the songs, and your cultural impact. These stories are sourced from third parties to highlight interesting details and behind-the-scenes moments.
Now, three months on, the feature is here. The roll out is a gradual one, and it is limited to certain regions for now.
In the announcement about the rollout, Spotify now says:
Music fans know the feeling: A song stops you in your tracks, and you immediately want to know more. What inspired it, and what’s the meaning behind it? We believe that understanding the craft and context behind a song can deepen your connection to the music you love.
That’s why Spotify is introducing About the Song, a new feature currently in beta that brings stories and context directly into your listening experience. Available in the Now Playing View, About the Song features short, swipeable story cards that explore the meaning behind the music you’re hearing. These stories are summarized from third-party sources to surface interesting details and behind-the-scenes moments.
About the Song (beta) is rolling out on mobile (iOS and Android) in English for Premium users in the U.S., U.K., Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, and Australia.
The company goes on to provide instructions about how to access “About the Song” for those users who have access to it:
- While listening in the Spotify mobile app, open the Now Playing View.
- Scroll down to find the About the Song card on supported tracks.
- Swipe through to explore the stories behind the track. We’re always looking for ways to improve, and both artists and listeners can share feedback directly via the card to help shape the experience.
