How to Find a Song You Heard on the Radio, Step by Step

It happens to every radio listener. You are cooking, driving or half-way through an email, and a song comes on that stops you in your tracks. By the time you look up, it is over, and you have no idea what it was called.

On FnF.FM, it is simple to find a song you heard on the radio. This guide shows you how, and what you can do next to support the artist who made it.

Step 1: Check the Listen screen for the song playing now

If the song is still playing, look at the Listen screen. It shows the song playing now, along with its cover art when there is artwork. When there is no cover art, you will see an animated music visual instead, but the song details are still shown on the screen. This is the quickest way to catch a song while it is still on air.

Step 2: Open the Recently played songs list

If the song has already finished, go to the Recently played screen. It shows the songs each station played recently, so you can look back through them and find the one you heard. A few tips make this easier:

• Check the right station. Make sure you are looking at the list for the station you were listening to: English, Bangla or Hindi.
• Think about timing. If you remember roughly when the song played, look at the songs around that point in the list.
• Look sooner rather than later. The list shows recent songs, so it is best to check soon after you hear something you like.

Step 3: Write down the artist and song title properly

Once you have found the song, make a note of it straight away. It is easy to think you will remember, and just as easy to forget.

• Write down both the artist and the title. A title on its own is often not enough, since many songs share the same name.
• Copy the spelling exactly. This matters especially for Bangla and Hindi songs written in English letters, where spellings can vary. The exact spelling makes the song much easier to find elsewhere.
• Note the station and the day. It helps if you want to look back later or request the song.
• Keep a running list. A simple note on your phone, just for songs you discovered on the radio, soon becomes a personal playlist of new favourites.

Step 4: Hear it again

Now that you know the artist and title, you have a few options.

Request it on FnF.FM

If you want to hear it on the radio again, you can request it. Choose the station, enter the artist and title exactly as you noted them, and add a dedication if you like. The station's request system also needs an email address.

Requested songs usually play within about 30 minutes, and if you switch on Alert me when it plays, you will be told when it comes on, as long as FnF.FM is open on that device. Our guide on how to request a song on the radio has tips that help your request get played.

Look it up

Search for the artist and title together on the music service or video platform you use. Including both makes it far more likely you will land on the right song, rather than a cover version or a different song with the same name.

Step 5: Support the artist

Discovering a new song is a gift, and the artist who made it will be glad you found it. A little support goes a long way, especially for independent musicians.

• Follow them on the platforms where they share their music, so you hear about new releases.
• Listen to their music on official channels, or buy it if they sell it. Official plays and purchases help artists keep making music.
• Share it. Tell a friend, send the song to your family group or post about it. Word of mouth still matters.
• Go to a show if they perform near you.
• Request their songs on FnF.FM, so other listeners can discover them too.

For artists reading this

If you are a musician, this is a good reminder of how listeners find you. Clear, consistent song titles and artist names, correct tags in your files and good cover art all make it easier for someone to go from "What was that?" to becoming a fan. Our radio-ready MP3 checklist and album art design tips cover the details.

How to find a song you heard on the radio: a quick recap

1. Still playing? Check the Listen screen.
2. Already finished? Open Recently played and check the right station.
3. Write down the artist and the title, with the exact spelling.
4. Request it on FnF.FM or look it up.
5. Support the artist.

Frequently asked questions

How do I find the name of a song I just heard on FnF.FM?

If it is still playing, the Listen screen shows the song playing now. If it has finished, the Recently played screen shows the songs each station played recently.

Why can I not find the song in Recently played?

Make sure you are looking at the list for the station you were listening to. The list shows recent songs, so it is best to check soon after you hear something you like.

Can I hear the song again on FnF.FM?

Yes. Request it with the artist and title exactly as you noted them. Requested songs usually play within about 30 minutes.

Your next favourite song could be playing right now. Open FnF.FM and listen.