iTunes Lyrics Viewer HTA

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I've been toying around with the iTunes COM object (iTunes.Application) which gives you some pretty handy control over the iTunes application. I was particularly interested in having something display song lyrics so I developed an HTA that displays album art, artist and song information and lyrics. The tool will refresh whenever a new song is played. If no lyrics are available a link will be provided that might help you find lyrics to LyricWiki.org. The link will open in an external browser window and is a "best guess" based on iTunes song information. If the song does not show up, you can probably still search the site for lyrics. This version does not update lyrics. You'll have to do that manually.

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If you attempt to close iTunes and get a message about another application using iTunes, close the HTA first. If iTunes is not running, when you launch the HTA it will also launch iTunes.

The HTA is not intended as an iTunes replacement, although you could certainly extend the functionality. At some point, I might add better code to find lyrics and even update the song in iTunes. If someone else comes up with code like that, I hope they'll share.

You can download the zip file with the HTA at http://www.jdhitsolutions.com/scripts.

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10 thoughts on “iTunes Lyrics Viewer HTA”

  1. If you would like to discuss this tool, please visit the forums at http://www.scriptinganswers.com. There is a dedicated forum for HTAs as well as other scripting related topics.

  2. Alright, I’ve already needed to make a correction. The latest version, 1.1 handles missing art work and displays the included icon as the art work.

  3. I have modified the code to automatically grab the lyrics from lyricwiki.com and, if you choose to allow it, update the lyric for the current song in iTunes. I’ve also added a “batch” mode which automatically moves to the next song after each update so that it can quickly move through an entire playlist without intervention or having to play the entire song. If you want a copy of the code, email me at:

    rvannatta AT cfl DOT rr DOT com

  4. Updating lyrics was next on my to do list for this thing so I’m glad you did it. I came across lyricwiki a while ago, but after I wrote the viewer and was thinking of switching sources.

    Granted, a tool like this isn’t going to make servers or networks run better, but it can improve the quality of your workday and the coding practice always helps.

  5. Hello Jeffery

    a wonderful script. I like it. Do you know where i can get the updatet script from rvannman

    Greetings from germany
    Thomas

  6. Thomas, you could try contacting him directly: rvannatta AT cfl DOT rr DOT com

    I also have an updated version to post when I get a chance.

  7. Hello Jefffery,

    rvanmann is not answering. So could you please post your updated script?

    Greetings Thomas

  9. Hello Jeffery,

    please post your updated script. I was unable to find a discussion at scriptinganswers.

    Greetings Thomas

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