How To Apa Cite A Song

Music holds a significant place in academic research, and understanding how to properly cite a song in APA style is crucial for maintaining academic integrity. Whether you're writing a paper on music theory, cultural impact, or artistic analysis, knowing the correct citation format ensures you give proper credit to the original artists and composers. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of how to cite a song in APA format, covering various scenarios and examples.

Introduction to APA Song Citations

The American Psychological Association (APA) style is widely used in social sciences, education, and other fields. When citing a song, the key is to provide enough information for your readers to locate the source while adhering to APA's guidelines. This includes details about the artist, song title, album, and recording details. Here’s how to approach it:

• Consistency is key: Always follow the latest APA guidelines.
• Accuracy matters: Double-check all the details to avoid errors.
• Context is important: Understand the nuances of different types of musical sources.

Basic APA Format for Citing a Song

The general format for citing a song in APA style includes the following elements:

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

Let’s break down each element with examples:

• Artist, A. A.: This is the last name and initials of the artist or composer.
  • Example: Swift, T.
• (Year): The year the song was copyrighted or released.
  • Example: (2012)
• Song title [Song]: The title of the song in italics, followed by "[Song]" in square brackets to clarify the source type.
  • Example: All Too Well [Song]
• On Album title: The title of the album where the song appears, also in italics.
  • Example: On Red
• Record Label: The name of the record label that released the album.
  • Example: Big Machine Records

Putting it all together, here’s an example of a basic APA citation for a song:

• Swift, T. (2012). All Too Well [Song]. On Red. Big Machine Records.

Citing Songs from Streaming Services

In the digital age, many people access music through streaming services like Spotify, Apple Music, or YouTube Music. When citing a song from a streaming service, you'll need to include additional information to help readers find the specific version you're referencing.

Here’s the updated format:

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

Here’s a breakdown:

• Artist, A. A.: As before, the last name and initials of the artist.
• (Year): The year the song was released.
• Song title [Song]: The title of the song in italics, followed by "[Song]".
• On Album title: The title of the album in italics.
• Record Label: The name of the record label.
• Streaming Service: The name of the streaming service (e.g., Spotify, Apple Music).
• URL: The direct URL to the song on the streaming service.

Here’s an example:

• Eilish, B. (2019). bad guy \

Citing a Song from YouTube

YouTube is another common platform for accessing music. Citing a song from YouTube requires slightly different information, focusing on the uploader and the specific video.

Here’s the format:

• Artist, A. A. (Year, Month Day). Song title [Video]. YouTube. URL

Here’s a breakdown:

• Artist, A. A.: Use the name of the uploader if the official artist is not the uploader. If it's the official artist, use their name.
• (Year, Month Day): The date the video was uploaded to YouTube.
• Song title [Video]: The title of the song, followed by "[Video]" in square brackets.
• YouTube: Indicates the platform.
• URL: The direct URL to the YouTube video.

Example:

• Queen. (2015, December 10). Bohemian Rhapsody \

In-Text Citations

In addition to the reference list entry, you'll need to include in-text citations whenever you mention or quote the song in your paper. The in-text citation typically includes the artist's last name and the year.

Here are a few examples:

• Parenthetical Citation: (Swift, 2012)
• Narrative Citation: Swift (2012) explores themes of heartbreak in "All Too Well."

If you are referencing a specific part of the song, such as a particular lyric, you can include a timestamp in the citation, especially when discussing a video:

• (Queen, 2015, 1:02)

Citing Different Versions of a Song

Sometimes, a song may have multiple versions, such as remixes, live performances, or covers. It's essential to provide enough detail to differentiate between these versions.

Remixes

When citing a remix, include the name of the remixer in the citation:

• Artist, A. A. (Year). Song title (Remixer's Remix) [Song]. On Album title. Record Label. Streaming Service. URL

Example:

• Martin, C. (2016). A Sky Full of Stars (Hardwell Remix) \

Live Performances

For live performances, indicate that it's a live version in the title:

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

Example:

• Springsteen, B. (1975). Born to Run (Live) [Song]. On Hammersmith Odeon, London '75. Columbia Records.

Cover Songs

When citing a cover song, credit the original artist and indicate that it's a cover:

• Original Artist, A. A. (Year). Song title [Song]. As performed by Cover Artist, B. B. (Year). On Album title. Record Label.

Example:

• Cohen, L. (1984). Hallelujah [Song]. As performed by Buckley, J. (1994). On Grace. Columbia Records.

Citing Musical Scores

If your research involves analyzing musical scores, here’s how to cite them in APA format:

• Composer, A. A. (Year). Title of score. Publisher.

Example:

• Beethoven, L. van. (1808). Symphony No. 5 in C Minor, Op. 67. Breitkopf & Härtel.

Citing Music in Edited Collections

Sometimes, a song may be included in an edited collection or compilation. In this case, the citation format is as follows:

• Artist, A. A. (Year). Song title. In Editor, B. B. (Ed.), Title of collection (pp. xx-xx). Publisher.

Example:

• Holiday, B. (1939). Strange Fruit. In Nicholson, S. (Ed.), The Billie Holiday Companion: Seven Decades of Commentary (pp. 123-124). Da Capo Press.

Handling Missing Information

Occasionally, you may encounter a situation where certain information is missing, such as the record label or the exact release date. In such cases, use the following guidelines:

• Missing Date: If the year is unknown, use "n.d." (no date).
• Missing Record Label: If the record label is unknown, omit this information.
• Missing Artist: If the artist is unknown, use the song title in the author position.

Example with missing date:

• Swift, T. (n.d.). Love Story [Song]. On Fearless. Big Machine Records.

Advanced Tips for APA Song Citations

To ensure your citations are accurate and comprehensive, consider these advanced tips:

• Capitalization: Capitalize the first word of the song title, album title, and any proper nouns.
• Italics: Italicize the titles of songs, albums, and musical scores.
• Square Brackets: Use square brackets to indicate the type of source (e.g., [Song], [Video]).
• DOI or URL: If available, include the Digital Object Identifier (DOI) or URL for the song.
• Consistency: Maintain a consistent citation style throughout your paper.
• Consult the APA Manual: Always refer to the latest edition of the APA Publication Manual for the most up-to-date guidelines.

Practical Examples of APA Song Citations

Let's look at a few more practical examples to solidify your understanding:

1. Citing a Song from a Physical Album:

   • Wonder, S. (1972). Superstition [Song]. On Talking Book. Tamla.

2. Citing a Song from Apple Music:

   • Legend, J. (2013). All of Me \

3. Citing a Song from a Movie Soundtrack:

   • Simon & Garfunkel. (1968). Mrs. Robinson [Song]. On The Graduate. Columbia Records.

4. Citing a Karaoke Version from YouTube:

   • Sing King Karaoke. (2014, July 14). Let It Go (Karaoke Version) \

5. Citing a Song with Multiple Artists:

   • Queen, & Bowie, D. (1981). Under Pressure [Song]. On Hot Space. EMI Records.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

To ensure your APA song citations are error-free, avoid these common mistakes:

• Inconsistent Formatting: Failing to maintain a consistent citation style.
• Incorrect Dates: Using the wrong release date or copyright year.
• Missing Information: Omitting crucial details like the record label or URL.
• Incorrect Italics: Not italicizing song titles and album titles.
• Incorrect Brackets: Forgetting to use square brackets to indicate the type of source.
• Not Consulting the APA Manual: Relying on outdated information or inaccurate sources.

Why Accurate Citations Matter

Accurate citations are essential for several reasons:

• Academic Integrity: Giving proper credit to the original artists and composers avoids plagiarism.
• Credibility: Demonstrating that your research is thorough and well-supported.
• Reproducibility: Allowing readers to locate and verify the sources you used.
• Respect for Intellectual Property: Acknowledging the rights of copyright holders.

How to Cite a Song in APA 7th Edition

The APA 7th edition brought some updates to citation guidelines. Here are a few key changes to keep in mind when citing songs:

• Location is not required: The location of the record label is no longer required.
• URLs are encouraged: Including URLs for online sources is highly recommended to improve accessibility.
• "Retrieved from" is not needed: When providing a URL, the phrase "Retrieved from" is generally not necessary unless a retrieval date is required (e.g., for sources that change over time).

Troubleshooting Common Citation Issues

Sometimes, you might encounter tricky situations when citing songs. Here are some solutions to common problems:

• Multiple Artists: If a song has multiple artists, list them in the order they appear on the album or streaming service, separated by commas. Use an ampersand (&) before the last artist.
• Same Artist, Same Year: If you are citing multiple songs by the same artist released in the same year, differentiate them by adding lowercase letters after the year (e.g., 2020a, 2020b).
• Foreign Language Titles: If the song title is in a foreign language, provide the original title followed by an English translation in square brackets.

The Importance of Properly Crediting Artists

In academic writing, giving proper credit to artists is more than just following a set of rules; it's about acknowledging their creative work and contributions to the field of music. By citing songs accurately, you are participating in a scholarly conversation that respects intellectual property and promotes ethical research practices.

Conclusion

Citing a song in APA style may seem complex at first, but with a clear understanding of the guidelines and consistent practice, you can master the art of accurate and comprehensive citations. Whether you're citing a song from a physical album, a streaming service, or YouTube, the key is to provide enough information for your readers to locate the source while adhering to APA's formatting rules. Remember to always consult the latest edition of the APA Publication Manual for the most up-to-date guidelines and to maintain consistency throughout your paper. By following these tips and examples, you can ensure that your research is both credible and respectful of the artists and composers whose work you are analyzing.