Musixmatch

Overview

Musixmatch provides song lyrics, track metadata, and charts via its API. Auth is a free API key.

Note (verified 2026-08): invalid keys return HTTP 200 with an embedded status_code: 401 inside the message header ({"message":{"header":{"status_code":401,...}}}) — check the nested status, not the HTTP status.

Quick Start

Track search (replace YOUR_KEY):

curl "https://api.musixmatch.com/ws/1.1/track.search?q_artist=queen&apikey=YOUR_KEY"

{
  "message": {
    "header": { "status_code": 200, "available": 123 },
    "body": {
      "track_list": [
        { "track": { "track_id": 12345, "track_name": "Bohemian Rhapsody", "artist_name": "Queen" } }
      ]
    }
  }
}

Lyrics by track ID:

curl "https://api.musixmatch.com/ws/1.1/track.lyrics.get?track_id=12345&apikey=YOUR_KEY"

Authentication

• Register at developer.musixmatch.com → free API key (emailed).
• Send it as the apikey query parameter.
• Check message.header.status_code in responses (invalid key → 200 + nested 401, verified).

Rate Limits & Notes

• Free tier: ~1,000 requests/day (check the docs); lyrics previews are limited on free.
• The API returns message.header (status) + message.body (data) for every call.
• Charts, artists, and lyrics endpoints are available.

FAQ

Is Musixmatch free? Free tier with daily limits; full lyrics need paid tiers.

Why 200 with status 401 inside? The API nests the status in message.header (verified) — check it.

How do I get lyrics? track.lyrics.get?track_id=... (preview on free tier).