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A Spotify lyrics overlay for Mac

Stay in
the song.

Synced lyrics at the top of your Mac, with play, pause and skip close by. Keep working while the words follow Spotify Desktop.

Set up the plugin Take a look ↓

Requires an Island license + Spotify Desktop · macOS

Compact lyric strip with playing bars and original sample text — Default bundled layout · original sample content from the real renderer.

Expanded renderer sample with synced lyrics and playback controls — Default bundled layout · original sample content from the real renderer.

Your music stays in Spotify.
The words come along with you.

Expanded renderer sample with synced lyrics and playback controls — Renderer example · the bundled plugin currently uses the compact strip.

Spotify lyrics.
While you work.

Keep the current lyric beside your work. Spotify for Island follows the Spotify Desktop app through macOS Automation, with synced lyrics from LRCLIB and NetEase. No additional Spotify login is needed. The bundled plugin uses the compact strip; the expanded preview shows another renderer layout.

Lyrics that keep time: A synced line follows your playback position. Availability depends on lyric providers and track matches.
Your desktop session: Connect through macOS Automation. Keep using Spotify Desktop with the account you already have.
Playback within reach: Pause, skip, or go back through the plugin and native companion controls. Keyboard input works while the plugin has focus.

Get connected

Your next song
starts here.

Spotify Lyrics is MIT licensed and ships with Island. Island 1.x costs US$19 once for two Macs, including 1.x updates; future major upgrades are optional. There is no free trial.

The Island 1.0.0 download supports Apple silicon Macs running macOS 12 or later. Pricing and purchase terms ↗

Full Island guide ↗

Enable the plugin.
Install Island and activate your key in Settings → License. Then open Market → My plugins → Spotify, or use the bundled CLI.
Enable Spotify in Island
```
island-cli plugin enable com.sullivansome.spotify
```
Open Spotify Desktop.
Sign in as usual and play a song. The web player isn’t supported.
Allow Automation.
When macOS asks, allow Island to control Spotify. Then return to your music.

Already have Island? Open Market → My plugins to enable Spotify or review a compatible package.

Before you press play.

Do I need another Spotify login?

No. The plugin reads your local Spotify Desktop session through macOS Automation. It doesn’t ask for your Spotify password.

Where do the lyrics come from?

LRCLIB and NetEase. Track information is sent to these providers to find synced lyrics. Some songs don’t have a match.

Can I control playback?

Yes: play, pause, previous, and next through the plugin and native companion controls. While the plugin has focus, use Space and the left/right arrow keys.

What access does the plugin have?

It runs as a native process with your user privileges. Island’s capability list describes host access; it is not an OS sandbox. macOS separately asks for Spotify Automation permission.

Why aren’t Spotify lyrics showing in Island?

Start a song in Spotify Desktop; the web player is not supported. If Island asks for Automation, enable Spotify access in System Settings → Privacy & Security → Automation, then restart Island. If playback works but lyrics are missing, check your connection and try another song: synced lyrics need a matching track at LRCLIB or NetEase.

These checks apply to the Island plugin. They do not change Spotify’s own built-in lyrics view.

Something isn’t working.

Check Automation in System Settings, then restart Island. For incompatible packages, open My plugins and install a current build.

Troubleshooting ↗