LyricGlow for MAC
Free, open-source menu bar app that shows word-by-word synced lyrics for Spotify and Apple Music, with live translation into 43 languages.
LyricGlow Overview
LyricGlow is a free, open-source Mac app that shows synchronized lyrics for the song playing in Spotify or Apple Music. Each word lights up as it is sung, karaoke-style, in a floating window that shows the previous, current and next line, and the current line also ticks by in the menu bar next to the clock, so you can follow the song with the window hidden. Every lyric line can show a live translation into any of 43 languages, including right-to-left scripts such as Persian, Arabic and Hebrew.
The app detects the current track locally through AppleScript, so macOS asks once for Automation access to Spotify or Music. Synced lyrics come from LRCLIB, artist details from TheAudioDB and translations from Google Translate's web endpoint, with Lingva as a fallback; everything is cached on your Mac, and there is no account, analytics or tracking. Only songs with synced lyrics on LRCLIB show lyrics. LyricGlow is made by AmirHossein Teymoori and released under the MIT license. Version 0.8.0 adds Floating Lyrics, a click-through overlay that shows only the current line on your desktop. It needs macOS 11 or later, the Spotify or Apple Music desktop app and an internet connection for new lyrics. There are separate downloads for Apple Silicon and Intel Macs, and builds since 0.7.0 are signed and notarized by Apple.
Key Features
LyricGlow turns the song you are playing into a karaoke screen.
- Word-by-word glow: lyrics light up in time with the music.
- Menu bar lyrics: the current line shows next to the clock.
- Live translation: any lyric line into 43 languages, with right-to-left support.
- Floating Lyrics: just the current line, floating above every app.
- Full lyrics view: auto-scrolls, and clicking a line jumps the song there.
- Playback controls: play, pause, skip and seek from the window.
- Artist details: album art, biography and artist images.
- Private: no account, no analytics, lyrics cached on your Mac.
What’s New in Version 0.8.0
LyricGlow 0.8.0 adds a desktop lyrics overlay and more reliable translation.
- Floating Lyrics shows only the current line, large and centred, with the translation underneath; it is click-through and floats above full-screen apps
- Move Floating Lyrics and Lock Floating Lyrics in the menu bar let you place the overlay and remember its position
- A capture-friendly launch mode lets screen recorders and Zoom or Meet window pickers see the window
- Translation now uses Google Translate's web endpoint first with Lingva as a fallback, and new songs translate in about a second
LyricGlow FAQ
Is LyricGlow free?
Yes. LyricGlow is free and open source under the MIT license, and it needs no account.
Which music apps does LyricGlow work with?
It works with the Spotify and Apple Music desktop apps on your Mac. It reads the current track locally through AppleScript.
Why does LyricGlow ask for Automation access?
It reads the playing track from Spotify or Music with AppleScript, so macOS asks for Automation permission on first run. You can also turn it on in System Settings → Privacy & Security → Automation.
Why are there no lyrics for some songs?
LyricGlow shows only synced lyrics from LRCLIB. If LRCLIB has no synced lyrics for a track, the app shows that none were found.
Can LyricGlow translate lyrics?
Yes. Each line can show a live translation into any of 43 languages, including Persian, Arabic and Hebrew with right-to-left text.
Can I see lyrics without the window open?
Yes. The current line can show in the menu bar next to the clock, and Floating Lyrics shows just the current line as a click-through overlay on your desktop.
Does LyricGlow work on Apple Silicon?
Yes. There are separate downloads for Apple Silicon and Intel Macs. It needs macOS 11 or later.
Is LyricGlow signed and notarized?
Yes. Since version 0.7.0 the app is code-signed and notarized by Apple, so macOS opens it without warnings.
Can I install LyricGlow with Homebrew?
Yes, from the developer’s own tap: brew install --cask ateymoori/tap/lyricglow.
Where does the LyricGlow download on lyricglow.FULLMAC.app come from?
The download button leads to the official LyricGlow releases page on GitHub at https://github.com/ateymoori/lyricglow/releases/latest. lyricglow.FULLMAC.app does not change or repackage the app.
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FULLMAC.app does not host this app. Download buttons lead to the developer’s own pages.