Show “Now Playing” in iTunes on MySpace

ETA 01/05/2008: LastFM now offers flash widgets for MySpace and a variety of other blogging sites. Way more nifty, and you can even have it install the code for you without having to fiddle with your profile.

The ETA Returns 05/24/2008: With the addition of third party applications for MySpace, there is now a Last.FM app that will display what you’ve listened to recently. It’s called What I’m Listening To, and you can find it under the music category in the apps section. Keep in mind, though, that the application was not developed by either MySpace or Last.FM, so neither site will be able to provide support if it’s not working.

I’ve been getting some random hits for embedding stuff on MySpace, so I thought I’d indulge y’all. First things first:

⇒ This tutorial assumes you know how to follow simple directions elsewhere, and can copy and paste blocks of code.

⇒ If you’re looking for how to embed music or videos on your page, I don’t want to know you. (Seriously, though, there’s tuts for that on the MySpace site.)

Last.FM recently added charts that show what you’re currently listening to. These charts work on MySpace and LiveJournal because they’re dynamically created image files, and not a javascript code. Many multi-user journaling sites (including WordPress.com) will filter any javascript you try to add to your page.

To display an image that will show what you’re listening to:

1. If you don’t already have an account at Last.FM, go create one.

2. Follow their instructions for downloading and installing the AudioScrobbler plugin. There’s also versions availiable for WinAmp, Windows Media Player and a handful of other players.

3. When your plugin and account are all configured and ready to go, and you’ve played a few songs to confirm that the plugin is working, go to the For Your Site section.

4. Click on the Chart Builder link. It will walk you through the rest of the process.

5. Make sure you choose “Recently Played” as your chart type.

6. After choosing your chart style, you’ll get a preview of what your chart will look like and a text box containing the HTML code for it. Right click in the box and “select all” and copy, to avoid doing anything silly like leaving off the closing >. (Which I’ve done, and still do all the time, so STFU.)

7. Log in to your MySpace account, and choose to edit your profile. Paste the code into whatever box you want it in. I have it in my “Music” section.

END! Now whenever your iTunes is playing, that image will be updated with the songs you’ve listened to most recently. If it doesn’t appear to be updating, make sure your browser cache is cleared, your plugin is working as it should and the Last.FM site isn’t down or not receiving info.

This is a very, very basic tutorial, intended for anyone who doesn’t know much about HTML to begin with. Hopefully it was simple enough to understand without treating you like a complete dunderhead.