Are you tired of scrolling through endless playlists or struggling to find your favorite songs on your music streaming app? Look no further! With the advent of voice-controlled smart speakers like Alexa, playing specific songs has never been easier. Gone are the days of typing and searching; now, all you need to do is ask. In this article, we’ll explore the exciting world of playing specific songs on Alexa.
Whether you’re in the mood for a classic rock anthem or the latest chart-topping hit, Alexa has got you covered. Get ready to unleash the power of your voice and let Alexa serenade you with your favorite tunes in a matter of seconds.
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Can I Play Specific Songs on Alexa?
Absolutely! Playing specific songs on Alexa is a breeze. Alexa, the virtual assistant developed by Amazon, has integrated music streaming capabilities that allow you to access a vast library of songs. With a simple voice command, you can instruct Alexa to play a specific song, artist, album, or even genre. All you need is a compatible music streaming service linked to your Alexa devices, such as Amazon Music, Spotify, Apple Music, or Pandora, among others.
Once you have set up your preferred music streaming service on your Alexa device and linked it to your account, you can start playing specific songs by using voice commands. Just wake up Alexa by saying the wake word (usually “Alexa”) followed by your command. For example, you can say, “Alexa, play ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ by Queen,” or “Alexa, play songs by Ed Sheeran.” Alexa will understand your request and start playing the requested song or songs from your preferred music service.
One of the benefits of using Alexa to play specific songs is its vast music library.
Whether you’re into pop, rock, classical, hip-hop, or any other genre, Alexa can find and play songs to match your tastes. You can also create personalized playlists and ask Alexa to play them with a simple voice command. Also, if you have a particular mood in mind, you can ask Alexa to play songs that fit the mood, such as “Alexa, play relaxing music” or “Alexa, play upbeat songs.”
Furthermore, Alexa offers various music playback controls to enhance your listening experience. You can ask Alexa to adjust the volume, skip to the next song, pause, or resume playback at any time, all with voice commands. If you want to explore more songs from a specific artist, you can ask Alexa for recommendations or even ask for a brief biography of the artist.
Play Specific Songs on Alexa: 7 Top Methods
Playing specific songs on Alexa is a straightforward process that requires a few simple steps. By following the instructions below, you’ll be able to enjoy your favorite tunes in no time.
1. Amazon Music:
Amazon Music offers multiple tiers of service, including Amazon Music Free, Amazon Music Unlimited, and Amazon Prime Music. Here’s how you can play specific songs on Alexa using each of these services:
- Amazon Music Free: Make sure you have the Amazon Music app installed on your smartphone and linked to your Alexa device. Wake up Alexa by saying the wake word (usually “Alexa”) followed by your command, for example, “Alexa, play ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ by Queen.” Alexa will search for the song in the Amazon Music Free library and start playing it.
- Amazon Music Unlimited: Subscribe to Amazon Music Unlimited if you haven’t already done so. You can do this through the Amazon website or the Amazon Music app.
- Open the Alexa app on your smartphone and go to the settings.
- Under “Music & Podcasts,” select “Link New Service” and choose Amazon Music.
- Follow the instructions to link your Amazon Music Unlimited account to Alexa.
- Once linked, you can simply ask Alexa to play a specific song, artist, or album, and Alexa will access the vast Amazon Music Unlimited library to fulfill your request.
- Amazon Prime Music: If you are an Amazon Prime member, you already have access to Amazon Prime Music.
- Open the Alexa app on your smartphone and go to the settings.
- Under “Music & Podcasts,” select “Link New Service” and choose Amazon Prime Music.
- Follow the instructions to link your Amazon Prime Music account to Alexa.
- Now, you can ask Alexa to play specific songs, artists, or albums available in the Amazon Prime Music library.
It’s worth mentioning that while Amazon Music Free has a limited selection of songs, Amazon Music Unlimited offers a much larger library, including millions of songs. Amazon Prime Music also provides a decent selection of songs, although it may not have as extensive a collection as Amazon Music Unlimited.
Remember to be specific with your voice commands when requesting a song, artist, or album. Alexa will try its best to understand your request and play the desired content from the selected Amazon Music service.
2. Streaming Platforms
Different music streaming platforms can be used to play specific songs on Alexa. Alexa supports a variety of popular streaming services, including:
- Amazon Music
- Spotify
- Apple Music
- Pandora
- Deezer
To link a streaming platform with Alexa, follow these general steps:
- Open the Alexa app on your smartphone or visit the Amazon website.
- Go to the settings section and select “Music & Podcasts” or a similar option.
- Choose the streaming service you want to link from the available options.
- Follow the prompts to log in to your streaming service account or create a new account if needed.
- Grant permissions and authorizations requested by the streaming service to link it with Alexa.
Once linked, you can start playing specific songs from the streaming platform by using voice commands with Alexa. Enjoy your favorite tunes at your fingertips with the convenience of voice control.
3. Use Your Phone
Playing music through your phone via Bluetooth is another method to play a specific song on Alexa. By connecting your phone to your Alexa device using Bluetooth, you can use your phone as a music source and control the playback of specific songs directly from your phone.
Here’s a detailed explanation of how to play a specific song on Alexa using your phone connected through Bluetooth:
- Enable Bluetooth: On your phone, go to the settings menu and ensure that Bluetooth is turned on.
- Put Alexa in Pairing Mode: On your Alexa device, activate the pairing mode by saying “Alexa, enable Bluetooth” or “Alexa, pair.” Alternatively, consult the user manual for your specific Alexa device to learn how to activate Bluetooth pairing mode.
- Connect Phone to Alexa: On your phone, search for available Bluetooth devices. When your Alexa device appears in the list, select it to establish the connection. Once connected, you will receive a confirmation on both your phone and your Alexa device.
- Open Your Preferred Music App: On your phone, open the music app that contains the specific song you want to play. Ensure that the app is set to play audio through Bluetooth.
- Select the Specific Song: Navigate to the specific song within the music app. You can use the search functionality or browse through your library to find the desired song.
- Play the Song: Once you have selected the specific song, press the play button within the music app on your phone. The audio will be streamed through Bluetooth to your Alexa device, and you will hear the song playing through the speaker of your Alexa device.
- Control Playback: Since your phone is connected via Bluetooth, you can use the playback controls on your phone to pause, resume, skip, or rewind the song. Simply use the controls within the music app or on your phone’s lock screen to adjust the playback as desired.
By connecting your phone to your Alexa device through Bluetooth, you can leverage the music app on your phone to play specific songs, granting you greater control and flexibility in selecting and managing your music.
4. Play Music On a Laptop or PC
If you want to play a specific song on Alexa using Bluetooth connectivity, you can do so by following these steps:
- Pair Your PC with Alexa: Ensure that your laptop or PC has Bluetooth capabilities and is paired with your Alexa device. On your laptop or PC, go to the Bluetooth settings and search for available devices. Select your Alexa device from the list and follow the pairing instructions to establish a connection.
- Open a Music Streaming Service: Launch a music streaming service on your laptop or PC, such as Spotify, Apple Music, or any other service that you have an account with.
- Search and Select the Song: Within the music streaming service app or website on your laptop or PC, search for the specific song you want to play. You can use the search bar and enter the song title, artist name, or album name to locate the desired track.
- Connect Laptop or PC Audio Output to Alexa: Now, you need to ensure that the audio from your laptop or PC is routed to your Alexa device. On your laptop or PC, go to the sound settings, and select your Alexa device as the audio output device. This will direct the audio of the song you’re playing to be played through the connected Alexa speaker.
- Play the Song: Once you have completed the previous steps, simply hit the play button within the music streaming service app on your laptop or PC. The song will start playing through the connected Alexa device via Bluetooth.
Note: Ensure that your Alexa device is set to Bluetooth mode. You can do this by saying “Alexa, enter Bluetooth mode” or using the appropriate voice command for your specific Alexa device.
Using Bluetooth to play a specific song on Alexa allows you to leverage the audio capabilities of your PC while enjoying the convenience of controlling playback through Alexa’s voice commands.
5. Music Playlist
Creating a playlist can be a useful method to play a specific song on Alexa. By adding the desired song to a playlist, you can easily access it whenever you want without having to remember the song’s title or artist. Here’s how creating a playlist can be used to play a specific song:
- Open Your Preferred Music Streaming Service App: Launch the music streaming service app associated with your Alexa device on your smartphone, tablet, or computer. Ensure you’re logged in with the same account linked to your Alexa device.
- Search for the Specific Song: Utilize the search functionality within the music streaming app to find the specific song you want to play on Alexa. Enter the song title, artist name, album name, or any other relevant information to locate the desired track.
- Add the Song to a Playlist: Once you have found the specific song, look for an option to add it to a playlist. Choose your desired playlist, or create a new one if you don’t have an appropriate playlist yet. Give the playlist a name that you can easily remember.
- Sync Your Playlist with Alexa: Open the Alexa app on your smartphone or visit the Amazon website and navigate to the settings. Select “Music & Podcasts” and choose the music streaming service you used to create the playlist. Ensure that the option to sync your music library or playlists with Alexa is enabled.
- Ask Alexa to Play Your Playlist: With the playlist containing the specific song synchronized to Alexa, you can now ask Alexa to play the playlist by saying, “Alexa, play .” Alexa will recognize the playlist name and begin playing the songs in the playlist, including the specific song you added.
This method ensures that your desired song is readily available whenever you want to listen to it without the need for individual song requests.
6. External Apps
While Alexa has built-in features and integration with popular music streaming services to play specific songs, there are also external apps that can be used for this purpose. However, it’s important to note that installing and configuring these external apps can be more complex and may require additional setup.
It’s recommended to pursue these options only if you have a genuine interest or specific requirements that cannot be fulfilled by the built-in features. Here are a few examples of external apps that can be used to play specific songs on Alexa:
- My Pod: My Pod is an external app that allows you to play specific songs on Alexa by accessing your personal music collection. It enables you to upload your songs or import them from other sources, creating a personalized music library. However, setting up My Pod can be a bit challenging, as it requires installing and configuring the app on a separate device or server.
- Plex Media Server: Plex Media Server is a popular media management platform that can be used to play specific songs on Alexa. It organizes your music collection and makes it accessible to Alexa for playback. Plex requires setting up a media server on your computer or NAS (Network Attached Storage) device, which can be a more involved process for those unfamiliar with it.
- My Media for Alexa: My Media for Alexa is an app that allows you to play songs stored on your computer or network-attached storage (NAS) directly through Alexa. It requires installing the app on your computer, configuring the media library, and linking it to your Alexa device. Similar to the other external apps, My Media for Alexa may have a learning curve and may not be as straightforward to set up compared to the built-in features.
It’s essential to note that while these external apps provide additional functionality and flexibility, they may not offer the same seamless integration or ease of use as the built-in features of Alexa. If you’re primarily interested in playing specific songs on Alexa, it’s recommended to explore the built-in music streaming services and features first, as they provide a user-friendly experience with a vast library of songs readily available.
7. Use Voice Commands
Voice commands are the key to playing specific songs on Alexa. Here’s an explanation of the voice commands you can use to play a specific song:
- Basic Song Request: You can ask Alexa to play a specific song by simply stating the song’s title along with the artist’s name. For example:
- “Alexa, play ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ by Queen.”
- “Alexa, play ‘Shape of You’ by Ed Sheeran.”
- Song by a Specific Artist: If you want to listen to songs by a particular artist, you can ask Alexa to play songs from that artist. For instance:
- “Alexa, play songs by The Beatles.”
- “Alexa, play music by Taylor Swift.”
- Album Request: If you have a favorite album you want to listen to, you can ask Alexa to play it. Use the album name along with the artist’s name for better accuracy. For example:
- “Alexa, play the album ‘Abbey Road’ by The Beatles.”
- “Alexa, play the album ‘1989’ by Taylor Swift.”
- Genre-based Requests: Alexa can also play songs from a specific genre. You can ask Alexa to play music from various genres, including rock, pop, jazz, classical, hip-hop, and more. For example:
- “Alexa, play rock music.”
- “Alexa, play classical music.”
- Song Requests by Lyrics: If you can’t recall the song title or artist, but you remember some lyrics, you can ask Alexa to play a song using those lyrics. Simply say:
- “Alexa, play the song with the lyrics ‘We don’t need no education.'”
- Request by Mood or Activity: Alexa can understand requests based on mood or activity. You can ask Alexa to play specific songs suitable for relaxation, workouts, parties, or even bedtime. For instance:
- “Alexa, play relaxing music.”
- “Alexa, play workout songs.”
Remember, it’s important to clearly pronounce the song title, artist name, or any other relevant information when giving voice commands to Alexa. Using natural language commands similar to the examples above will help Alexa understand your request more accurately and ensure that it plays the specific song you want to hear.
Why Can’t I Play Specific Songs on Alexa? 5 Possible Reasons
There could be several reasons why you may encounter difficulties playing specific songs on Alexa. Here are some possible explanations:
- Music Streaming Service Limitations: The availability of specific songs on Alexa depends on the music streaming service you have linked to your Alexa device. Different streaming services have different catalogs and licensing agreements with record labels and artists. This means that certain songs or artists may not be available on the streaming service you are using with Alexa. For example, if the song you’re looking for is exclusive to a different music streaming service, it may not be accessible through Alexa if you haven’t linked that specific service.
- Song Titles and Pronunciation: Alexa’s voice recognition system may have difficulty understanding certain song titles or artist names if they are pronounced differently than expected or if they contain uncommon or foreign words. In such cases, Alexa may not recognize your command accurately, leading to difficulties in playing specific songs. It can be helpful to ensure you’re pronouncing the song title or artist name clearly and accurately.
- Misinterpretation of Voice Commands: Alexa’s voice recognition system is designed to understand natural language commands, but there can still be instances where it misinterprets or misunderstands specific song requests. Factors such as background noise, speaking too quickly, or unclear enunciation can affect the accuracy of voice commands. In such cases, it may help to speak slowly and clearly when issuing commands to Alexa.
- Metadata or Database Errors: Occasionally, there may be errors or inconsistencies in the metadata or databases used by music streaming services or Alexa’s music library. This can result in difficulties in identifying and playing specific songs. These errors could range from incorrect song titles or artist names to mismatched tracks. Unfortunately, such errors are outside of the user’s control and may require the service provider or developers to rectify them.
- Geographical Restrictions: Certain songs or music streaming services may have regional or licensing restrictions, limiting their availability in specific countries or regions. If you are trying to play a song that is not licensed for your location, Alexa may not be able to fulfill your request. In such cases, you may receive an error message or be redirected to alternative music options.
If you’re experiencing persistent issues with playing specific songs on Alexa, it can be beneficial to check your music streaming services. Review your account settings, and ensure that your device is connected to the internet.
Additionally, staying up to date with software updates for both your Alexa device and the associated music streaming service can help address any potential compatibility or performance issues.
Takeaway
Playing specific songs on Alexa is a breeze with the right music streaming service and a few simple commands. Whether you’re using Amazon Music, Spotify, or Apple Music, linking your account to Alexa opens up a world of musical possibilities.
With just a wake word and a song request, you can enjoy your favorite tunes without lifting a finger. So, go ahead, set up your music streaming service, connect it to Alexa, and let the music fill your home with just the sound you desire.