How do I obtain the appropriate license to play background music on my not-for-profit website?

Question by Casey: How do I obtain the appropriate license to play background music on my not-for-profit website?
I want to post different popular songs (the original recording by the artist – not midi music) to ‘match the mood’ on each page of my website. How do I obtain the appropriate license?

Best answer:

Answer by vote_usa_first
Im not sure, but if I were you I would just post the song. There are millions of people doing this, and it helps the band by promoting them.

Just clearly list out who the song is by, and what the song is on your page, and do not make any obvious download option.

Embedded music is hard to ‘steal’. 1 out of 100 might know how, and only 1 out of 1000 will bother trying. The rest probably have the song, dont want the song, or want to get the cd because the song is so good.

Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!