diff --git a/dejavu.py b/dejavu.py
index 0bb4d0c..a7f74a1 100755
--- a/dejavu.py
+++ b/dejavu.py
@@ -88,6 +88,7 @@ if __name__ == '__main__':
             song = djv.recognize(MicrophoneRecognizer, seconds=opt_arg)
         elif source == 'file':
             song = djv.recognize(FileRecognizer, opt_arg)
-        print(song)
+        decoded_song = repr(song).decode('string_escape')
+        print(decoded_song)
 
     sys.exit(0)
diff --git a/dejavu/__init__.py b/dejavu/__init__.py
index 4f6e6e8..7cc3f3b 100755
--- a/dejavu/__init__.py
+++ b/dejavu/__init__.py
@@ -155,11 +155,11 @@ class Dejavu(object):
                          fingerprint.DEFAULT_OVERLAP_RATIO, 5)
         song = {
             Dejavu.SONG_ID : song_id,
-            Dejavu.SONG_NAME : songname,
+            Dejavu.SONG_NAME : songname.encode("utf8"),
             Dejavu.CONFIDENCE : largest_count,
             Dejavu.OFFSET : int(largest),
             Dejavu.OFFSET_SECS : nseconds,
-            Database.FIELD_FILE_SHA1 : song.get(Database.FIELD_FILE_SHA1, None),}
+            Database.FIELD_FILE_SHA1 : song.get(Database.FIELD_FILE_SHA1, None).encode("utf8"),}
         return song
 
     def recognize(self, recognizer, *options, **kwoptions):
diff --git a/dejavu/database_sql.py b/dejavu/database_sql.py
index 18bb238..e827260 100755
--- a/dejavu/database_sql.py
+++ b/dejavu/database_sql.py
@@ -214,7 +214,7 @@ class SQLDatabase(Database):
         """
         Return songs that have the fingerprinted flag set TRUE (1).
         """
-        with self.cursor(cursor_type=DictCursor) as cur:
+        with self.cursor(cursor_type=DictCursor, charset="utf8") as cur:
             cur.execute(self.SELECT_SONGS)
             for row in cur:
                 yield row
@@ -223,7 +223,7 @@ class SQLDatabase(Database):
         """
         Returns song by its ID.
         """
-        with self.cursor(cursor_type=DictCursor) as cur:
+        with self.cursor(cursor_type=DictCursor, charset="utf8") as cur:
             cur.execute(self.SELECT_SONG, (sid,))
             return cur.fetchone()
 
diff --git a/dejavu/recognize.py b/dejavu/recognize.py
index b43a879..09c03d9 100755
--- a/dejavu/recognize.py
+++ b/dejavu/recognize.py
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+# encoding: utf-8
 import dejavu.fingerprint as fingerprint
 import dejavu.decoder as decoder
 import numpy as np