play Youtube audio with mpd [ use as external browser in w3m or links ]

.zshrc

# add a helpfull function to search youtube in w3m
tube (){ w3m "https://youtube.com/results?search_query=`echo $* | sed 's/[ ]/+/g'`" }

tubelink.sh

#!/bin/bash

clear
# choose if we should load link in firefox or use youtube-dl
read -p "use (m)pc or graphical (b)rowser to open link? [m] :" -n 1 CHOICE
[[ "$CHOICE" == "b" ]] && { /usr/bin/sensible-browser $1 2> /dev/null >&1 & } && exit 0

# install with: pip install --user youtube-dl
TUBE=$HOME/.local/bin/youtube-dl 
# get all Formats here and search for m4a, return format codes
FORMAT=`$TUBE -F $1 | grep 'm4a' | cut -c -3`
# choose either 141 [256 kbit/s m4a] of 140 [
FORMAT=$( [[ $FORMAT =~ 141 ]] && echo 141 || echo `[[ $FORMAT =~ 140 ]] && echo 140` )

# if no suitable format given just die
if [ "$FORMAT" == "" ]; then
    # or use mpg123 or some other soundfile, i like these two from KDE
    echo "ERROR: no suitable audio only format found"
    ogg123 /usr/share/sounds/KDE-Im-Contact-Out.ogg 2> /dev/null >&2 &
    exit 1
fi

clear
# decide if we flush the list and excusively play that song
read -p "(a)ppend to playlist, or (f)lush playlist before? [a]: " -n 1 CHOICE
[[ "$CHOICE" == "f" ]] && mpc clear > /dev/null

# add link to right format to playlist
mpc add `$TUBE -f$FORMAT -g $1` > /dev/null

# because my statusbar wants a nice title to display instead of the huge link
echo "[YouTube] `$TUBE -e $1`" > /run/user/1000/mpd-youtube-title.nfo

# play
mpc play > /dev/null

# or use mpg123 or some other soundfile, i like these two from KDE
ogg123 /usr/share/sounds/KDE-Im-Contact-In.ogg 2> /dev/null >&2 &

you will have to specify tubelink.sh as external browser in your w3m / links options