there is something called a mechanical license which is relatively inexpensive. I am sure people use that. one site I saw charges $15 per song plus a 0.0175 royalty fee per copy. In the non-jewish world creating “covers” of songs is a big industry.
on another topic gezel hagoy has different halachos then gezel yisroel. probably not something to discuss on a publicly searchable forum.
I am not sure where this whole you need to be inspired from the music thing came from its a nice idea but not rooted in halacha as far as I know. if anyone here has a mareh makom for that would love to see it.