Installing and Configuring OpenLyrics (foo_openlyrics) in foobar2000
OpenLyrics (foo_openlyrics) is the most actively maintained lyrics display component for foobar2000. It provides an integrated lyrics panel, automatic lyrics downloading, local storage, and optional editing support. This guide walks through installation, panel setup, and recommended configuration options.
Step 1: Download OpenLyrics
- Visit the official OpenLyrics component page:
www.foobar2000.org/components/view/foo_openlyrics
- Download the latest
.fb2k-component file.
Step 2: Install the Component
- Open foobar2000.
- Go to File → Preferences → Components.
- Click Install….
- Select the downloaded
foo_openlyrics.fb2k-component file.
- Click Apply.
- Restart foobar2000 when prompted.
After restarting, OpenLyrics will be available as both a lyrics provider and a UI panel.
Step 3: Add the OpenLyrics Panel to the Layout
Default UI
- Go to View → Layout → Enable Layout Editing Mode.
- Right-click inside the layout where you want the lyrics panel.
- Choose Add New UI Element → Visualisations → OpenLyrics.
- Resize and position the panel as desired.
- Disable layout editing mode when finished.
Columns UI
- Go to Preferences → Display → Columns UI → Layout.
- Insert a new panel where desired.
- Select OpenLyrics from the panel list.
- Apply changes.
Step 4: Basic Playback Test
- Play a track with standard artist and title metadata.
- OpenLyrics will attempt to fetch lyrics automatically.
- If lyrics are found, they will display in the panel.
- If nothing appears immediately, allow a few seconds or manually trigger a search (see below).
Step 5: Configure Lyrics Sources
- Go to File → Preferences → Tools → OpenLyrics.
- Open the Sources section.
- Enable or disable lyrics providers as desired.
- Adjust source priority if available.
Notes:
- Online lyrics availability depends on track metadata accuracy.
- Some sources may return timed lyrics; others return plain text.
- Source reliability can change over time, which is why OpenLyrics allows multiple providers.
Step 6: Configure Lyrics Saving and Storage
- In Preferences → Tools → OpenLyrics, locate the Saving or Storage options.
- Enable automatic saving of lyrics if you want lyrics cached locally.
- Choose a storage method:
- External
.lrc or .txt files
- Embedded lyrics tags (if supported by your workflow)
- Define a lyrics file naming and folder structure if saving externally.
Recommended:
- Saving lyrics externally allows reuse across systems and avoids repeated downloads.
- Keeping lyrics alongside audio files simplifies backup and portability.
Step 7: Display and Behavior Settings
Within Preferences → Tools → OpenLyrics, review the display options:
- Automatic scrolling
- Alignment and text behavior
- Timed lyrics synchronization behavior
- Fallback handling when timed lyrics are unavailable
These settings affect how lyrics are rendered in the panel but do not affect stored data.
Step 8: Manual Search and Editing
If lyrics are not found automatically:
- Right-click inside the OpenLyrics panel.
- Choose Search lyrics or Edit lyrics (wording may vary by version).
- Manually paste or edit lyrics as needed.
- Save the lyrics so they persist for future playback.
OpenLyrics includes a built-in editor, allowing corrections or manual entry without external tools.
Step 9: Metadata Best Practices
For best results with OpenLyrics:
- Ensure
%artist% and %title% tags are accurate.
- Avoid extra text such as “(Remastered)” or “feat.” in titles unless required.
- Album artist tags can improve search accuracy for compilations.
Clean metadata significantly improves lyrics retrieval success.
Step 10: Troubleshooting
If lyrics do not appear:
- Verify OpenLyrics is enabled under Preferences → Components.
- Confirm the panel is visible and active.
- Check that playback is active (lyrics are not fetched for stopped tracks).
- Try manual search from the panel context menu.
- Review source availability in the OpenLyrics preferences.
Summary
OpenLyrics is currently the most complete and actively maintained lyrics solution for foobar2000. Once installed and configured, it provides automatic lyrics retrieval, reliable local storage, and flexible display options suitable for both minimal and advanced layouts.
For new foobar2000 installations or users modernizing older setups, OpenLyrics is the recommended lyrics display component.