Yes, the way the law reads, pending where you are in the world - you recorded it, and that requires a license. And if even not recorded, if then collect money, if even a “donation” - you’ve monetized it and via their hosting platform; which then becomes their problem. The issue with allowing stuff lies in, there may be a “first time” and infringement penalties are severe - for a good reason. How for example would one feel if their songs were making someone - go “viral” and did not have a part of the benefit of it.
BandLab, has more severe language and folks accounts simply dissapear. But, even they are not 100% strict - but, try as much as possible to pass the liability on “you” - they are out of Singapore I believe (?) and have their own laws but seek to abide by all, especially, how to say “western”.
What I see that helps, if even not get a “complaint” which then leads to prima facia - take downs is very accurate framing, pre-qualifiying, precise crediting and even a bit of “liner notes” history and why you did the track(s) and work in “21st Century” “fair use”. What that could mean as well - if a song was release at e.g. 4min, do 1-2 minutes as one might in a “lesson response” (so to speak).
What could that look like, need an example, if even not a great one? - for even my public domain, and/or complete re-writes that’s what I do. And another good reason? In my world, for e.g., “Robert Plant” of Led Zep - took and takes bad press for not citing allot of work he sits at “live interviews” and takes all the credit for which he, from what I’ve see does not say, “oh, I loved performing it and am glad it became a TV Series Theme Track, but keep in mind that, that was a pub dom lyric and even melody - but now with me performing it (“Satan We’re Gonna Tear Your Kingdom Down”)” - again, *not cited that way, but how “i” would do it and in liner/track notes - why not.
So the IMO part - for me - when I read, see stuff, and even like on tabs sights ultimate-guitar .com - it’s there as “fair use” and the artists interpretation and to show someone how to play it and all of that, they show they are clearly appreciative of a good song someone created, their Art-work, tacit work product now recorded, and in many ways, for music, winds up in more orig artist track, album, CD sales; well, or it has with me - I typically then by a “CD” since liked it so much.
But, to even do it to “self promote” or get “URL Hits” due to the Title SEO - which some do could turn into an unforeseen, unknown consequence. It may be a bit dramatic to say, but - the music industry is smaller than you’d think, lol!, omg… it really is. This applies to even, song group collaborations when posting demos (many simply, innocently forget - and, not a good thing; money has nothing to do with “that”).
I write this for you, since you ask - which is, to me, super-fantastic you did!, and is a “thing” with me - proper Citation and Credit which folks may “innocently” not do - but can do more “damage”, arguably, then literally realized (there are lawsuits of even Chord Progression cases - both sides tend to loose, but not the Lawyers). Oh, and many add - please do summarily take any of this down w/o notice if found at unintended fault". (I’ve read many of those, with all the rest, so, - was there to read/not removed - well quaified, Cited and Credited.)
All the best to you for that and have fun! Feel free to then post URL links for folks to review if care to - don’t know of anyone not willing to have a look for opinion of done with care, again arguably, as they see it. Oh, and I’ll add - I’ve simply contacted bands, folks, corps and “asked” and got an email back which was enough for YouTube - when that was up, long ago - a school project using a backing track - that can be fun too and a learning experience, or was for me.
Keep in mind, not to get to granular, but not only lyrics, if “collaborated” with someone that added an instrument, or spent hours mixing, dubbing - cite/credit the “work product”, of those folks too - they deserve citation as well, well, imo - lol!
