legal to use web music samples?

Factual Questions
1

I see that cdnow.com offers buyers a chance to hear streaming samples of many albums, which is very helpful for making a purchase decision, although it is only 30 seconds of low quality audio. Legally speaking, is it OK to put a short sample of a copyrighted song on a personal website? The exact situation is: a website teaching English as a Second Language that explains in text a key phrase from a popular song, then offers a 10 or 15 second sample from the song so users can actually hear the key phrase. (Also with a link to where the visitor can buy the CD if they would like to own the song.)

I’d just like to know if it is legal to use a short sample without paying any royalties. Also, is it legal to print the lyrics (or a selection) of a song without the permission of the artist?

Thanks for your help with this.

2

Remember, CDNow has licensed those sound bites, they are authorized to post them by the record companies.
Your specific example is probably legal under the doctrine of Fair Use. You must use only a small excerpt, not a substantial portion of the work, and it is for educational purposes. But IANAL. For a more extensive look at the subject of Fair Use in an educational context, I recommend:

The big question to me is whether your personal site is considered strictly educational. If you have banner ads, you’re using the clips to attract viewers, you are making money off the clips, that isn’t fair use.