How to Guess the Song in 1 Second

A one-second clip sounds impossible until you know what to listen for. These tips help you name songs from tiny clips in the free guess the song game.

1. Listen to the sound, not the melody

In under a second there is no melody. What you hear is the production: the drum sample, the synth, the reverb on a voice. Ask yourself which decade that sound belongs to.

2. Use headphones

Small phone speakers drop the bass and blur the high end. Headphones make the 0.1-second clip much clearer.

3. Narrow the genre first

Pick a genre and an era before you play. Guessing among 2010s pop hits is far easier than guessing among every song ever made.

4. Replay the clip

Replays are free. Play the short clip three or four times before you skip.

5. Learn famous intros

Many hits open with a signature sound: a vocal ad-lib, a guitar riff, a piano chord. Those first moments are what the game plays.

6. Type part of the title

The search box suggests songs as you type. Two or three letters of a word you think is in the title are often enough.

7. Play the daily quiz every day

Five songs a day add up. After a few weeks you will recognise producers and singers from a single note.

Ready? Play Guess the Song and see how far your streak goes.