SecondHandSongs is a comprehensive, collaborative database dedicated to identifying the original performers of musical works and tracking their subsequent covers, samples, and adaptations SecondHandSongs Quick Start Guide Find the Original Main Search
No article about SecondHandSongs would be complete without discussing "Weird Al" Yankovic. Because Yankovic produces parodies (new lyrics over existing music), he occupies a unique place in the database. Search for "Eat It" on SecondHandSongs. The site will immediately link you to the original: Michael Jackson’s "Beat It." But it doesn’t stop there. It will also show you the origin of the parody concept—other artists who parodied Jackson, and even later artists who parodied "Weird Al" himself.
: You can create playlists, report errors, or submit missing covers yourself by clicking the "Add Cover" button on any song page. Curated Picks : Explore sections like Obscure Original Unusual Cover Revival Cover secondhandsongs
SecondHandSongs sits in the middle: it has WhoSampled’s structural rigor and Discogs' historical depth, but with a focus on the song as an idea, not the plastic it was pressed on.
Have you ever been shocked to learn a favorite song was a cover? Drop the name of the original in the comments—I promise it will blow someone’s mind. Solution: Do not rely on title search alone
The site is maintained by volunteer curators and editors. Users can: Search for the original performer of any famous hit.
to discover music history highlights curated by volunteer editors. SecondHandSongs Technical & Community Resources API Access : Developers can use the SecondHandSongs API The "Weird Al" Phenomenon: A Case Study No
Adaptations and Samples: It tracks linguistic translations (adaptations) and musical re-use (samples), providing a web of connections across genres and eras.
