How To Mla Cite Song Lyrics

Navigating the world of academic writing often involves citing sources meticulously, and that includes song lyrics. Mastering the art of MLA citation for song lyrics ensures you give proper credit to the songwriters and artists while maintaining the integrity of your work. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process, providing examples and clarifying nuances to help you cite song lyrics correctly and confidently.

Understanding the Basics of MLA Citation

MLA (Modern Language Association) style is a widely used format for academic writing, particularly in the humanities. It provides guidelines for formatting papers, citing sources, and creating a Works Cited page. The primary goal of MLA citation is to give credit to the original authors of the material you use in your work, allowing readers to locate those sources themselves. When it comes to song lyrics, this involves understanding the key elements needed for a proper citation, including the artist, song title, album, and more.

Core Elements of an MLA Citation for Song Lyrics

A typical MLA citation for song lyrics includes several key elements, which are arranged in a specific order. These elements provide the necessary information for readers to identify and locate the song. Here are the core components:

• Artist: The name of the performer or band.
• "Song Title": The title of the song, enclosed in quotation marks.
• "Album Title": The title of the album, also enclosed in quotation marks.
• Record Label: The name of the record label that released the album.
• Year of Release: The year the album was released.

With these elements, you can construct a basic MLA citation for song lyrics. The following sections will delve into more detailed instructions and examples to refine your understanding.

Citing Song Lyrics in Your Text

When you incorporate song lyrics into your essay or research paper, you need to cite them properly within the text. This is done using parenthetical citations, which briefly reference the source. The information in the parenthetical citation should correspond to the entry in your Works Cited page.

Basic In-Text Citation

The most common way to cite song lyrics in your text is by including the artist's name and the line number (if available) or a time stamp (if accessing the lyrics from a website or video). Here’s how it looks:

(Artist’s Last Name, Line Number/Timestamp)

Example:

"I'm just a soul whose intentions are good" (The Animals, 1:15).

In this example, "The Animals" is the artist, and "1:15" indicates the timestamp where the lyric appears in the recording. If you're citing from a printed source, use the line number if available.

Citing a Song When the Artist is Mentioned in the Sentence

If you mention the artist’s name in your sentence, you don’t need to repeat it in the parenthetical citation. Instead, include only the line number or timestamp.

Example:

As The Animals sing, "I'm just a soul whose intentions are good" (1:15).

Citing Different Artists with the Same Last Name

If you are citing songs by different artists who share the same last name, include their first initials in the parenthetical citation to avoid confusion.

Example:

(J. Cash, Line Number/Timestamp) (M. Cash, Line Number/Timestamp)

Citing a Song from an Album with Multiple Artists

When an album features various artists, and you're citing a song by a specific artist from that compilation, include the artist's name in the in-text citation.

Example:

(Artist’s Last Name, Line Number/Timestamp)

Creating a Works Cited Entry for Song Lyrics

The Works Cited page is a crucial component of MLA style, providing a comprehensive list of all the sources you cited in your paper. Each entry should be formatted correctly to allow readers to locate the sources easily. Here's how to create a Works Cited entry for song lyrics.

Basic Format for a Song from an Album

The basic format for citing a song from an album in your Works Cited page is as follows:

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

Example:

The Animals. "House of the Rising Sun." The Animals, Columbia, 1964.

Citing a Song Accessed Online

If you accessed the song lyrics online (e.g., from a lyrics website), you should include the website's name and the URL in your citation.

Artist. "Song Title." Album Title, Record Label, Year of Release. Website Name, URL. Accessed Date.

Example:

The Animals. "House of the Rising Sun." The Animals, Columbia, 1964. Genius, genius.com/The-animals-house-of-the-rising-sun-lyrics. Accessed 15 July 2024.

Citing a Song from a Streaming Service

When citing a song from a streaming service like Spotify or Apple Music, include the service name in the citation.

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

Example:

The Animals. "House of the Rising Sun." The Animals, Columbia, 1964. Spotify, open.spotify.com/track/4mn2j2NnRi7adsxJ4l7F0t.

Citing a Song from a Physical Copy (CD, Vinyl)

If you are citing from a physical copy of the album (CD, vinyl), the citation remains similar to the basic format.

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

Example:

The Animals. "House of the Rising Sun." The Animals, Columbia, 1964.

Citing Liner Notes

If you're referencing information from the liner notes of an album, cite the liner notes as follows:

Artist. Album Title. Liner notes, Record Label, Year of Release.

Example:

Dylan, Bob. Highway 61 Revisited. Liner notes, Columbia, 1965.

Special Cases and Variations

While the basic formats cover most scenarios, some situations require specific adjustments. Here are a few special cases and variations to consider.

Songs with Multiple Artists

When a song features multiple artists, list all the artists in the order they appear on the album or single.

Artist 1, and Artist 2. "Song Title." Album Title, Record Label, Year of Release.

Example:

Queen, and David Bowie. "Under Pressure." Hot Space, EMI, 1982.

Songs from Soundtracks

To cite a song from a movie soundtrack, include the term "sound recording" after the song title and provide the film's title.

Artist. "Song Title." Sound recording. Film Title, Record Label, Year of Release.

Example:

Simon & Garfunkel. "Mrs. Robinson." Sound recording. The Graduate, Columbia, 1968.

Instrumental Songs

For instrumental songs, describe the song as "Instrumental" in place of the lyrics.

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

Example:

Dave Brubeck Quartet. "Take Five." Instrumental. Time Out, Columbia, 1959.

Different Versions of a Song

If you are citing a specific version of a song (e.g., a remix, live version), include that information in the citation.

Artist. "Song Title (Remix Version)." Album Title, Record Label, Year of Release.

Example:

Donna Summer. "I Feel Love (Patrick Cowley MegaMix)." Anthology, Casablanca, 1980.

Citing an Entire Album

To cite an entire album, use the following format:

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

Example:

The Beatles. Abbey Road, Apple, 1969.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Citing song lyrics can be tricky, and it’s easy to make mistakes. Here are some common errors to avoid:

• Incorrect Punctuation: Ensure that you use the correct punctuation, including quotation marks and commas, in the right places.
• Missing Information: Double-check that you have all the necessary information, such as the record label and year of release.
• Inconsistent Formatting: Maintain consistency in your formatting throughout your Works Cited page.
• Forgetting the Accessed Date: When citing online sources, remember to include the date you accessed the material.
• Misrepresenting the Source: Always accurately represent the source of your lyrics. If you are citing from a specific version or source, make sure to indicate that in your citation.

Examples of Complete MLA Citations for Song Lyrics

To further illustrate the principles discussed above, here are some complete examples of MLA citations for song lyrics in different scenarios:

Example 1: Song from a Studio Album

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

In-text citation: (Dylan, Line Number)

Example 2: Song Accessed Online

Wonder, Stevie. "Isn’t She Lovely." Songs in the Key of Life, Motown, 1976. Genius, genius.com/Stevie-wonder-isnt-she-lovely-lyrics. Accessed 15 July 2024.

In-text citation: (Wonder, 2:30)

Example 3: Song from a Streaming Service

Radiohead. "Creep." Pablo Honey, Parlophone, 1993. Spotify, open.spotify.com/track/6b2oQwS6OG925wOYK2RzWq.

In-text citation: (Radiohead, 1:45)

Example 4: Song with Multiple Artists

Jay-Z, and Alicia Keys. "Empire State of Mind." The Blueprint 3, Roc Nation, 2009.

In-text citation: (Jay-Z and Keys, Line Number)

Example 5: Song from a Movie Soundtrack

Houston, Whitney. "I Will Always Love You." Sound recording. The Bodyguard, Arista, 1992.

In-text citation: (Houston, Line Number)

Tips for Accurate and Effective Citation

To ensure your citations are accurate and effective, consider the following tips:

• Keep Detailed Records: As you research, keep a detailed record of all the sources you use. Note the artist, song title, album title, record label, year of release, and any other relevant information.
• Use Citation Management Tools: Citation management tools like Zotero or Mendeley can help you organize your sources and generate citations automatically.
• Consult the MLA Handbook: The MLA Handbook is the definitive guide to MLA style. Consult it for detailed instructions and examples.
• Double-Check Your Work: Before submitting your paper, double-check all your citations to ensure they are accurate and consistent.
• Understand the Purpose of Citation: Remember that the purpose of citation is to give credit to the original authors and allow readers to locate your sources. Always strive for accuracy and transparency.

The Importance of Proper Citation

Properly citing song lyrics is essential for several reasons:

• Giving Credit: It acknowledges the creative work of the songwriters and artists, giving them the credit they deserve.
• Avoiding Plagiarism: It helps you avoid plagiarism, which is a serious academic offense.
• Enhancing Credibility: It enhances the credibility of your work by demonstrating that you have thoroughly researched your topic and are engaging with existing scholarship.
• Allowing Verification: It allows readers to verify your sources and explore the topic further.
• Maintaining Academic Integrity: It upholds the principles of academic integrity, which are fundamental to scholarly inquiry.

Conclusion

Citing song lyrics in MLA style might seem daunting at first, but with a clear understanding of the core elements, formats, and variations, you can confidently and accurately cite your sources. Remember to keep detailed records, use citation management tools if needed, and consult the MLA Handbook for guidance. By following these guidelines, you can ensure that you give proper credit to the artists and songwriters whose work you incorporate into your academic writing, while maintaining the highest standards of academic integrity. Mastering MLA citation for song lyrics is a valuable skill that will enhance the quality and credibility of your work.