A good song can pull at our emotions, evoke our memories, and shape the movement of a scene. That’s why it shows up in all sorts of our entertainment, from video production to podcasting. It’s also a valuable commodity for the people who own the rights to it. That’s why it’s so important to know where and how to find music legally.
With the right tools, finding free song download is easier than ever. We’ve rounded up a few of our favorite sites to get you started. These platforms let you build your own playlists and enjoy a wide variety of songs without spending a dime. Plus, many of them are ad-free and feature a variety of file formats, including MP3.
The Internet Archive offers a massive collection of audio, images, and other materials. While not as user-friendly as some of the other options on this list, it’s an invaluable resource for those looking for obscure or historical recordings.
Free Song Download: Discover Tubidy’s Extensive Library
SoundClick curates a diverse collection of free music from independent artists. It also allows you to make customized playlists and gives musicians direct interaction with their fans. This makes it a great option for anyone who wants to discover new artists and enjoy a curated listening experience compared to algorithmic streaming services.
While most of the content on this site is not available for download, it does offer a large selection of instrumental tracks that are perfect for film and video productions. Its database is easily searchable by genre and it features a number of filters for specific moods, like mellow or inspired. The only drawback is that some of the music on this site requires you to sign up for a member account in order to download it.
As you’re browsing through the free songs on this website, it’s a good idea to look for the license type on each track. This will tell you how the artist is allowing you to use their music and will help you avoid any copyright issues. At the bare minimum, copyright infringement could land you with a cease and desist letter or a $100,000 fine. At the extreme, it could even result in prison time.
This is a great resource for any filmmaker or YouTube creator who is looking for royalty-free music to use in their videos. It’s easy to search by keyword or genre and includes a handy preview function. It also lets you filter by key and tempo to help you find exactly what you’re looking for.
If you’re looking for more traditional classical music, Musopen is a good place to start. The site features a wide range of free MP3s of various composers, including Beethoven and Bach. This site is also one of the few that doesn’t require you to create a user account and will allow you to download up to 100 songs per day for free.
While not as easy to navigate as the other options on this list, this site is a great option for finding new music and avoiding copyright violations. It’s easy to browse by genre, year of publication, and language and offers multiple file formats, including MP3. It also lists the corresponding album cover art, and the track names and artist information are easy to read.