How To Mla Cite A Song

Citing a song in MLA format might seem daunting at first, but by breaking it down into simple components, you can accurately and effectively credit the artists and composers behind the music. The Modern Language Association (MLA) provides specific guidelines for citing various sources, and songs are no exception. Understanding these guidelines ensures that your academic work maintains integrity and avoids plagiarism.

Core Elements of an MLA Song Citation

To create an accurate MLA citation for a song, you'll need to gather some key pieces of information. These elements, when arranged correctly, will form the basis of your citation, whether it's in your Works Cited list or within the body of your paper as an in-text citation.

1. Artist(s): Start with the name of the performer or band. If there are multiple artists, list them in the order they appear on the recording.
2. "Title of Song": Enclose the song title in quotation marks.
3. "Title of Album": Provide the name of the album the song is from, italicized.
4. Other Contributing Artists: Include names of any other significant contributors, such as featured artists, conductors, or composers if they are different from the main artist. Use "feat." for featured artists.
5. Publisher/Record Label: List the name of the record label that released the album.
6. Year of Release: State the year the song or album was released.
7. URL (if applicable): If you accessed the song online (e.g., via a streaming service), include the URL.

Creating the Works Cited Entry

The Works Cited entry is a comprehensive citation that appears at the end of your paper. It provides all the necessary information for your readers to locate the source. Here’s how to format it:

Format:

Artist Last Name, First Name, et al. "Title of Song." Title of Album, Other Contributing Artists, Record Label, Year of Release, URL (if applicable).

Example:

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

In-Text Citations

In-text citations are brief references within the body of your paper that point to the full citation in your Works Cited list. They typically include the artist's last name and a relevant detail, such as the song title or a specific time marker if you're referring to a particular part of the song.

Format:

(Artist Last Name) (Artist Last Name, "Song Title") (Artist Last Name, Time Marker)

Examples:

(Beyoncé) (Beyoncé, "Halo") (Beyoncé, 1:30)

Step-by-Step Guide to MLA Citing a Song

Let's break down the process of citing a song in MLA format into manageable steps. This guide will cover various scenarios, including citing songs from albums, streaming services, and other sources.

Step 1: Gather the Necessary Information

Before you start writing your citation, collect all the relevant details about the song. This includes:

• Artist's Name: Who performed the song?
• Song Title: What is the name of the song?
• Album Title: Which album does the song belong to?
• Record Label: Which record label released the album?
• Year of Release: When was the song or album released?
• URL (if applicable): If you accessed the song online, what is the URL?
• Other Contributors: Are there any featured artists, composers, or conductors you need to credit?

Step 2: Construct the Works Cited Entry

Using the information you've gathered, create the full citation for your Works Cited list. Follow the format provided earlier:

Artist Last Name, First Name, et al. "Title of Song." Title of Album, Other Contributing Artists, Record Label, Year of Release, URL (if applicable).

Example:

Adele. "Rolling in the Deep." 21, XL Recordings, 2011.

Step 3: Create In-Text Citations

For each reference to the song in your paper, create an in-text citation. Use the artist's last name and, if necessary, the song title or a time marker:

(Artist Last Name) (Artist Last Name, "Song Title") (Artist Last Name, Time Marker)

Examples:

(Adele) (Adele, "Rolling in the Deep") (Adele, 0:45)

Citing Songs from Different Sources

The basic format for citing a song remains the same, but there are slight variations depending on how you accessed the song. Here are some common scenarios:

1. Citing a Song from an Album

When citing a song from a physical or digital album, follow the standard format:

Artist Last Name, First Name, et al. "Title of Song." Title of Album, Record Label, Year of Release.

Example:

The Beatles. "Let It Be." Let It Be, Apple Records, 1970.

2. Citing a Song from a Streaming Service (e.g., Spotify, Apple Music)

For songs accessed through streaming services, include the URL of the song or the album page:

Artist Last Name, First Name, et al. "Title of Song." Title of Album, Record Label, Year of Release, URL.

Example:

Lizzo. "Good as Hell." Cuz I Love You, Atlantic Records, 2019, open.spotify.com/track/6ORqU0bNd691pq9CQwhyqQ.

3. Citing a Song from YouTube

If you're citing a song from YouTube, include the uploader's name (if different from the artist), the video title (which is usually the song title), and the URL:

Artist Last Name, First Name, et al. "Title of Song." YouTube, Uploaded by Uploader Name, Date of Upload, URL.

Example:

Queen. "Bohemian Rhapsody." YouTube, uploaded by Queen Official, 1 Aug. 2008, www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJ9rUzIMcZQ.

4. Citing a Song from a Soundtrack

When citing a song from a movie soundtrack, include the artist, song title, album title (i.e., the soundtrack title), record label, and year of release:

Artist Last Name, First Name, et al. "Title of Song." Title of Soundtrack, Record Label, Year of Release.

Example:

Survivor. "Eye of the Tiger." Rocky III: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack, Scotti Brothers, 1982.

Special Cases and Considerations

Sometimes, citing a song can be more complex due to unique circumstances. Here are some special cases and how to handle them:

1. Multiple Artists

If a song has multiple artists, list them in the order they appear on the recording. Use "et al." if the list is extensive:

Artist 1 Last Name, First Name, Artist 2 Last Name, First Name, and Artist 3 Last Name, First Name. "Title of Song." Title of Album, Record Label, Year of Release.

Example:

Jay-Z, Kanye West, and Beyoncé. "Lift Off." Watch the Throne, Roc-A-Fella, 2011.

2. Featured Artists

For songs with featured artists, use "feat." to indicate their contribution:

Artist Last Name, First Name, feat. Featured Artist Last Name, First Name. "Title of Song." Title of Album, Record Label, Year of Release.

Example:

Mark Ronson, feat. Bruno Mars. "Uptown Funk." Uptown Special, RCA Records, 2014.

3. Classical Music

When citing classical music, emphasize the composer and include the performer if they are central to your analysis:

Composer Last Name, First Name. "Title of Composition." Performed by Performer Name, Title of Album, Record Label, Year of Release.

Example:

Beethoven, Ludwig van. "Symphony No. 5." Performed by the Berlin Philharmonic, Beethoven: The Complete Symphonies, Deutsche Grammophon, 1963.

4. Songs with No Known Artist

If the artist is unknown, start the citation with the song title:

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

Example:

"Greensleeves." Greensleeves, RCA Records, Unknown.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Citing songs accurately is crucial for academic integrity. Here are some common mistakes to avoid:

• Incorrect Formatting: Ensure you follow the correct MLA format for each element, including quotation marks, italics, and commas.
• Missing Information: Always include all the necessary information, such as the artist, song title, album title, record label, and year of release.
• Inconsistent Citations: Make sure your in-text citations match your Works Cited entries.
• Using Outdated MLA Guidelines: Stay updated with the latest MLA handbook to ensure your citations are accurate.
• Failure to Cite: Always cite your sources, even if you are paraphrasing or summarizing.

The Importance of Accurate Citations

Accurate citations are fundamental to academic writing for several reasons:

• Credibility: Proper citations enhance the credibility of your work by showing that you have thoroughly researched your topic and given credit to the original sources.
• Avoiding Plagiarism: Citations help you avoid plagiarism by clearly distinguishing your ideas from those of others.
• Reader Navigation: Citations allow your readers to easily locate the sources you used, enabling them to verify your information and explore the topic further.
• Respect for Intellectual Property: By citing sources, you acknowledge and respect the intellectual property rights of artists and creators.

Examples of Complete Song Citations in MLA Format

To further illustrate how to cite songs in MLA format, here are some additional examples covering different scenarios:

Example 1: Song from a Digital Album

Taylor Swift. "Shake It Off." 1989, Big Machine Records, 2014.

Example 2: Song from Spotify

Harry Styles. "Watermelon Sugar." Fine Line, Columbia Records, 2019, open.spotify.com/track/6UelLqGlWMcVHrdowX6fXF.

Example 3: Song from YouTube

Billie Eilish. "Bad Guy." YouTube, uploaded by Billie Eilish, 29 Mar. 2019, www.youtube.com/watch?v=DyDfgMOUjCI.

Example 4: Song with Multiple Artists

Drake, Rihanna. "Take Care." Take Care, Young Money, 2011.

Additional Tips for Citing Songs in MLA

• Consult the MLA Handbook: The MLA Handbook is the definitive guide for MLA citation style. Refer to it for detailed instructions and examples.
• Use Citation Management Tools: Consider using citation management tools like Zotero or Mendeley to help you organize your sources and generate citations automatically.
• Proofread Carefully: Always proofread your citations to ensure they are accurate and consistent.
• Be Consistent: Maintain a consistent citation style throughout your paper.
• When in Doubt, Cite: If you're unsure whether to cite a source, it's always better to err on the side of caution and include a citation.

Conclusion

Mastering MLA citation for songs is an essential skill for any student or researcher working with music. By following the guidelines outlined in this guide, you can accurately and effectively credit the artists and composers behind the music, enhance the credibility of your work, and avoid plagiarism. Remember to gather all the necessary information, construct your Works Cited entries and in-text citations carefully, and stay consistent with your citation style. With practice and attention to detail, you'll be able to cite songs with confidence and ease.