Every January 1 something changessubtly, without making much noise: the world receives the best of the gifts. Every new year, thousands of compositions go into public domainjust as if nothing. Masterpieces that become available to everyone, free of charge. Small witnesses of history, of great changes in humanity and representatives of unique moments for the generations to come. A journey through time with books, songs, movies and much more.
What does it mean for a song to enter the public domain?
A work enters the public domain when is no longer protected by copyright. From that moment on, anyone can use it, reproduce it, adapt it or reinterpret it without asking permission or paying rights, always respecting the authorship and integrity of the work. In music, this affects both lyrics and compositions, although not always specific recordings.
When does it happen?
Depends on the country. The duration of copyright is not universal and varies according to the legislation of each territory. In Spain (and the European Union)the rights They last 70 years after the death of the author. After that period, the work automatically enters the public domain.
WECB
WECB
In the United Statesthe system is different: it is not based on the death of the author, but on the date of publication. In most cases, the songs They are protected for 95 years from their publicationwhich causes Every year it “releases” a new batch of historical works.
This difference is very important because the same song may be in the public domain in one country and still protected in another. This explains why some classic works can be used freely in Europe but not in the US (or the other way around).
What can I do with a public domain song?
When a musical work enters the public domaincan be used without asking permission or paying fees: record a new version, change the style, translate the lyrics, make a remix, use a fragment as the basis of another song or include it in a YouTube video, a podcast or a live broadcast on social networks. It can also be published on records, streaming platforms or books without going through management entities.
The key is in distinguishing the work of recording. The melody and lyrics may be free, but a specific historical recording may still be protected, so not always it's okay to reuse the original audio. Even so, the public domain opens the door to rescuing classics, giving them a second life and bringing them to current contexts, always citing the author and respecting the meaning of the work.
List of some of the songs in the public domain this 2026.
This year, the passage of time gives us authentic songs, key in the history of music: Georgia on My Mindby Hoagy Carmichael and Stuart Gorrell, or My Baby Just Cares for Meby Walter Donaldson and Gus Kahn. Do not confuse these compositions with the wonderful versions of Ray Charles and Aretha Franklingiven that those versions have not served the necessary time. These are some of the notable publications that enter the public domain in the US in 2026:
- Dream A Little Dream Of Me – Gus Kahn, Fabian Andre and Wilbur Schwandt
- Body And Soul – Johnny Green, Edward Heyman, Robert Sour and Frank Eyton
- Embraceable You – George and Ira Gershwin
- Georgia On My Mind – Hoagy Carmichael and Stuart Gorrell
- I Got Rhythm – George and Ira Gershwin
- But Not For Me – George and Ira Gershwin
- Get Happy – Harold Arlen and Ted Koehler
- On The Sunny Side Of The Street – Jimmy McHugh and Dorothy Fields
- Love For Sale – Cole Porter
- Ten Cents A Dance – Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart
- Falling In Love Again (Can't Help It) – Friedrich Hollaender and Sammy Lerner
- Beyond The Blue Horizon – Richard A. Whiting, W. Franke Harling and Leo Robin
- Memories Of You – Eubie Blake and Andy Razaf
- Livin' In The Sunlight, Lovin' In The Moonlight – Al Sherman and Al Lewis
- Bidin' My Time – George and Ira Gershwin
- Dancing On The Ceiling – Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart
- Exactly Like You – Jimmy McHugh and Dorothy Fields
- Fine And Dandy – Kay Swift and Paul James
- I've Got A Crush On You – George and Ira Gershwin
- Little White Lies – Walter Donaldson
- My Baby Just Cares For Me – Walter Donaldson and Gus Kahn
- Someday I'll Find You – Noël Coward
- Something To Remember You By – Arthur Schwartz and Howard Dietz
- Three Little Words – Harry Ruby and Bert Kalmar
- Time On My Hands – Vincent Youmans, Harold Adamson and Mack Gordon
- You're Driving Me Crazy – Walter Donaldson
- I'm Confessin' (That I Love You) – Doc Daugherty, Ellis Reynolds and Al J. Neiburg
- Them There Eyes – Maceo Pinkard, William Tracey and Doris Tauber
- Please Don't Talk About Me When I'm Gone – Sam H. Stept and Sidney Clare
- Walking My Baby Back Home – Roy Turk and Fred Ahlert
- Sing, You Sinners – W. Franke Harling and Sam Coslow
- You Brought A New Kind Of Love To Me – Sammy Fain, Irving Kahal and Pierre Norman
- Cheerful Little Earful – Harry Warren, Ira Gershwin and Billy Rose
- Would You Like To Take A Walk? – Harry Warren, Mort Dixon and Billy Rose
- It Happened In Monterey – Mabel Wayne and Billy Rose
