Censored and Cut Lyrics

Censorship must match the exact recording. A clean edit and an explicit version often require different transcriptions and separate TTML files.

Audible explicit words

If the word remains audible, write it normally. Do not censor language because it is offensive, sensitive, or absent from a clean lyric source.

Censor beeps and replacement sounds

When a word is replaced by a censor beep or another recognizable censor sound, write exactly:

****

Always use four asterisks, regardless of the missing word’s length. Do not attempt to reconstruct the censored word from another version.

Muted or cut words

Use an em dash (—) when the expected word or phrase is abruptly silenced or cut away:

• I told that— to leave

• What the—

Place the dash where the audible interruption happens. Do not combine it with an ellipsis or additional punctuation.

Audible replacement lyrics

When the clean version substitutes a different sung word or phrase, transcribe the replacement exactly as heard. Do not use **** merely because the explicit version contains profanity at that point.

Partially audible words

If a recognizable part of the original word is heard before the censor or cutoff, write the audible part followed by an em dash. Do not fill in the inaudible portion.

If the recording uses a beep instead of allowing any portion of the word through, use ****.

Check the version

Before finishing, compare the supplied song link with any reference source. Different releases may mute, reverse, replace, or leave the same word audible. Each transcription must describe its own recording.