How Do You Cite A Song

Citing a song correctly is essential for academic integrity and giving credit to the artists who created the music. It allows readers to trace your sources and understand the foundation of your arguments or analyses. Whether you're writing a research paper, a blog post, or simply providing context for a musical example, mastering the art of song citation is a valuable skill.

Why Cite a Song?

Think of a song citation as a map. It allows your reader to find the exact song you're referencing, just as a map guides someone to a specific location. Failing to cite a song is akin to using someone else's work without permission, which is plagiarism. Proper citation also demonstrates your credibility as a writer and researcher. It shows you've done your homework and are acknowledging the intellectual property of others. Ultimately, it's about respecting the creators and their art.

General Principles of Song Citation

Before diving into specific citation styles, here are some general principles that apply regardless of the format you choose:

• Identify Key Information: You'll typically need the song title, artist, album title (if applicable), year of release, and the record label.
• Be Consistent: Choose a citation style and stick with it throughout your work. Mixing styles can be confusing and unprofessional.
• Accuracy is Key: Double-check all information for accuracy. A single error can make it difficult for readers to find the song.
• Include All Relevant Information: Depending on the context, you might also need to include the composer, lyricist, performer, and any other relevant contributors.
• Use the Correct Format: Pay close attention to punctuation, capitalization, and formatting guidelines specific to the citation style you're using.

Citing Songs in Different Citation Styles

Here's a breakdown of how to cite songs in some of the most commonly used citation styles: MLA, APA, and Chicago.

MLA (Modern Language Association) Style

MLA style is commonly used in the humanities, particularly in literature, languages, and cultural studies. Here's how to cite a song in MLA format:

Basic Format:

Artist. "Song Title." Album Title, Record Label, Year of Release.

Example:

Dylan, Bob. "Like a Rolling Stone." Highway 61 Revisited, Columbia Records, 1965.

Explanation:

• Artist: List the artist's last name first, followed by a comma and their first name.
• "Song Title": Enclose the song title in quotation marks.
• Album Title: Italicize the album title.
• Record Label: Provide the name of the record label that released the album.
• Year of Release: Include the year the album was released.

Citing a Song Accessed Online:

If you accessed the song online (e.g., through a streaming service), include the name of the streaming service and the URL:

Artist. "Song Title." Album Title, Record Label, Year of Release. Streaming Service, URL.

Example:

Beyoncé. "Halo." I Am... Sasha Fierce, Columbia Records, 2008. Spotify, .

In-Text Citation (MLA):

When referencing the song within your text, use the artist's last name and the song title in parentheses:

(Dylan, "Like a Rolling Stone")

If you've already mentioned the artist in your sentence, you can just include the song title:

As Bob Dylan sings in "Like a Rolling Stone"...

APA (American Psychological Association) Style

APA style is widely used in the social sciences, such as psychology, education, and sociology. Here's how to cite a song in APA format:

Basic Format:

Artist, A. A. (Year). Song title. [Song]. On Album title. Record Label.

Example:

Cash, J. (1963). Ring of fire. [Song]. On Ring of fire: The best of Johnny Cash. Columbia Records.

Explanation:

• Artist, A. A.: List the artist's last name, followed by a comma and their initials.
• (Year): Include the year the song was released in parentheses.
• Song title: Italicize the song title.
• [Song]: Add "[Song]" in square brackets to clarify the medium.
• On Album title.: Include "On" followed by the italicized album title.
• Record Label.: Provide the name of the record label that released the album.

Citing a Song Accessed Online (APA):

If you accessed the song online, include the URL:

Artist, A. A. (Year). Song title. [Song]. On Album title. Record Label. URL

Example:

Radiohead. (2000). Idioteque.

In-Text Citation (APA):

When referencing the song within your text, use the artist's last name and the year in parentheses:

(Cash, 1963)

If you've already mentioned the artist in your sentence, you can just include the year:

As Johnny Cash (1963) sings in "Ring of Fire"...

Chicago Style

Chicago style has two main formats: notes and bibliography, and author-date. The notes and bibliography system is more common in the humanities, while the author-date system is often used in the sciences.

Notes and Bibliography (Chicago):

• Bibliography Entry:

  Artist, First Name Last Name. "Song Title." On Album Title. City: Record Label, Year of Release.

  Example:

  Springsteen, Bruce. "Born to Run." On Born to Run. New York: Columbia Records, 1975.

• Note Entry (Footnote or Endnote):

  1. First Name Last Name Artist, "Song Title," on Album Title (City: Record Label, Year of Release).

  Example:

  1. Bruce Springsteen, "Born to Run," on Born to Run (New York: Columbia Records, 1975).

Explanation:

• Artist, First Name Last Name: List the artist's first name followed by their last name in the bibliography entry. In the note entry, list the first name first.
• "Song Title": Enclose the song title in quotation marks.
• On Album Title.: Include "On" followed by the italicized album title.
• City: Record Label, Year of Release: Provide the city where the record label is based, the name of the record label, and the year the album was released.

Author-Date (Chicago):

• Reference List Entry:

  Artist, Last Name, First Name. Year. "Song Title." On Album Title. City: Record Label.

  Example:

  Springsteen, Bruce. 1975. "Born to Run." On Born to Run. New York: Columbia Records.

• In-Text Citation:

  (Artist Last Name Year)

  Example:

  (Springsteen 1975)

Citing a Song Accessed Online (Chicago):

For both Notes and Bibliography and Author-Date styles, add a URL or DOI (if available) to the citation:

Springsteen, Bruce. "Born to Run." On Born to Run. New York: Columbia Records, 1975. .

Special Cases in Song Citation

Sometimes, citing a song isn't as straightforward as following the basic formats. Here are some special cases you might encounter:

• Multiple Artists: If a song has multiple artists, list them in the order they appear on the album or single cover. Separate the names with commas, and use "and" before the last artist's name (MLA and Chicago). In APA, use "&" before the last artist's name.

  • MLA Example: Queen, David Bowie. "Under Pressure." Hot Space, EMI Records, 1982.
  • APA Example: Queen, & Bowie, D. (1982). Under pressure. [Song]. On Hot Space. EMI Records.

• Songs from Soundtracks: If the song is from a movie soundtrack, cite it as you would a regular song, but include the phrase "Motion picture soundtrack" after the album title (or similar wording, depending on the specific situation). You might also want to include the movie title if it's relevant to your analysis.

  • MLA Example: Simon & Garfunkel. "Mrs. Robinson." The Graduate: Motion Picture Soundtrack, Columbia Records, 1968.

• Classical Music: Citing classical music can be more complex, as you often need to include the composer, the title of the work, the movement number, and the performer. Consult specific style guides for detailed instructions.

• Traditional Songs: For traditional songs with no known composer or artist, you can cite them by the title of the song and indicate that it's a traditional song.

  • MLA Example: "Amazing Grace." Traditional spiritual.

• Sampling: If a song samples another song, you should cite both songs. Cite the song you're directly referencing, and then mention the sample within your analysis. You might also include a separate citation for the sampled song if it's crucial to your argument.

• Cover Songs: If you're citing a cover version of a song, cite the artist who performed the cover, not the original artist. You can mention the original artist in your analysis if it's relevant.

• Songs in a Collection or Anthology: If the song appears in a collection or anthology, cite the song as you would normally, but also include information about the collection, such as the editor and publication details.

Tips for Accuracy and Consistency

• Consult Style Guides: Always refer to the official style guides for MLA, APA, and Chicago for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
• Use Citation Management Tools: Consider using citation management tools like Zotero, Mendeley, or EndNote to help you organize your sources and generate citations automatically.
• Proofread Carefully: Double-check all your citations for errors in punctuation, capitalization, and formatting.
• Be Consistent: Stick to one citation style throughout your work.
• Keep Track of Your Sources: As you research, keep a detailed record of all the songs you're using, including all the necessary information for citation.

The Importance of Context

While citation formats provide a framework, it's crucial to consider the context of your writing. Ask yourself:

• What is the purpose of my citation? Am I simply identifying the song, or am I analyzing its lyrics, music, or cultural impact?
• Who is my audience? What citation style are they most likely to be familiar with?
• What are the specific requirements of my assignment or publication?

The answers to these questions will help you determine the most appropriate way to cite the song and provide the necessary information for your readers.

Copyright Considerations

Citing a song is not the same as obtaining permission to use it. Copyright law protects the rights of songwriters and publishers. If you want to use a song in a way that goes beyond fair use (e.g., performing it publicly, recording it, or using it in a commercial project), you'll need to obtain permission from the copyright holder. This usually involves contacting the publisher or a licensing agency like ASCAP, BMI, or SESAC.

Conclusion

Mastering the art of song citation is a valuable skill for anyone who writes about music. By following the guidelines outlined in this article, you can ensure that you're giving proper credit to the artists and creators whose work you're referencing, and that you're presenting your research in a credible and professional manner. Remember to consult the official style guides for the most accurate and up-to-date information, and always consider the context of your writing when making citation decisions. Happy citing!