how to cite a song lyric in an essay

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How to Quote a Song in a Paper (with Formatting & Examples)

Last Updated: April 29, 2024 References

This article was co-authored by Marissa Levis and by wikiHow staff writer, Jennifer Mueller, JD . Marissa Levis is an English Teacher in the Morris County Vocational School District. She previously worked as an English director at a tutoring center that caters to students in elementary and middle school. She is an expert in creating a curriculum that helps students advance their skills in secondary-level English, focusing on MLA formatting, reading comprehension, writing skills, editing and proofreading, literary analysis, standardized test preparation, and journalism topics. Marissa received her Master of Arts in Teaching from Fairleigh Dickinson University. There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 319,157 times.

Depending on the type of paper you're writing, you may need to use a song as a reference – either a specific recording, or the composition of the song itself. The format of your citation will be somewhat different depending on whether you are using Modern Language Association (MLA) style, American Psychological Association (APA) style, or the format in the Chicago Manual of Style. You'll also need a brief, in-text citation to point the reader to the more complete citation at the end of your work. [1] X Research source

• The performer could be a single individual or a band. If you're using the name of a single person, use "last name, first name" format.
• For example: Knowles-Carter, Beyoncé.

• If there are multiple writers, list them all in the order they appear in the copyright information for the song. If the song has lyrics, there may be both a composer and a lyricist.
• For example: Knowles-Carter, Beyoncé and James Blake.

• For example: Knowles-Carter, Beyoncé and James Blake. "Freedom."

• For example: Knowles-Carter, Beyoncé and James Blake. "Freedom." Lemonade , Parkwood Entertainment, 2016.

• For example: Knowles-Carter, Beyoncé and James Blake. "Freedom." Lemonade , Parkwood Entertainment, 2016. Online, www.beyonce.com/album/lemonade-visual-album/, accessed January 9, 2017.

• Use the name you used in your full citation. Just use the first or primary name if there is more than one artist in the full citation. Include the title or a title phrase if you're citing more than one work by that artist.
• For example: (Knowles-Carter, "Freedom")

• For example: Knowles-Carter, B., & Blake, J.
• If there are multiple writers and their roles are identified, you can put these in parentheses after their names. For example: Knowles-Carter, B. (Lyricist), & Blake, J. (Composer).

• For example: Knowles-Carter, B., & Blake, J. (2016).

• You also may want to include the name of the performing artist if they are known by a stage name or are otherwise not immediately identifiable by their last name.
• For example: Knowles-Carter, B., & Blake, J. (2016). Freedom [Recorded by Beyoncé].

• For example: Knowles-Carter, B., & Blake, J. (2016). Freedom. On Lemonade [CD].

• Include state or country information if the city is not well-known. Otherwise, simply include the name of the city.
• For example: Knowles-Carter, B., & Blake, J. (2016). Freedom. On Lemonade [CD]. New York City: Parkwood Entertainment (2016).

• For example: (Knowles-Carter & Blake, 2016, track 10)

Using Chicago Style

• For example: Knowles-Carter, Beyoncé, and James Blake.

• For example: Knowles-Carter, Beyoncé, and James Blake. Freedom .
• If the performer of the song is someone different from the songwriters, include this information immediately after the title of the song or album by listing their first name and last name.
• If the performer is more important than the songwriter or composer, you may want to list their name first. Use your best judgment depending on the focus of your paper.

• If you can't find the recording number on the physical copy of the recording itself, look on www.discogs.com. Make sure you have the listing for the same recording as the one you're referencing.
• For example: Knowles-Carter, Beyoncé, and James Blake. Freedom . On Lemonade . Parkwood Entertainment, 88985336822, 2016. [11] X Research source

• For example: For example: Knowles-Carter, Beyoncé, and James Blake. Freedom . On Lemonade . Parkwood Entertainment, 88985336822, 2016, CD.

• For example: (Knowles-Carter 2016).
• To provide a pinpoint citation to a specific song, include the track number. For example: (Knowles-Carter 2016, track 10).

Community Q&A

• If you're using Chicago style, list audio recordings separately in a discography that is separate from your main bibliography. [14] X Research source Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• When you access music online, you may have difficulty finding the information you need for your citation. Try looking up the song on a website such as www.discogs.com, which will have publication information. [15] X Research source Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

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Expert Interview

Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about citations, check out our in-depth interview with Marissa Levis .

• ↑ http://pitt.libguides.com/citationhelp
• ↑ https://blog.apastyle.org/apastyle/2011/12/how-to-cite-recorded-music-in-apa-style.html
• ↑ http://www.ubishops.ca/wp-content/uploads/APAguide6thofficial.pdf
• ↑ http://libguides.depauw.edu/c.php?g=73436&p=472435
• ↑ https://www.discogs.com/Beyoncé-Lemonade/release/8486714
• ↑ http://www.press.uchicago.edu/books/turabian/turabian_citationguide.html
• ↑ http://www.easybib.com/guides/citation-guides/chicago-turabian/how-to-cite-a-musical-recording-chicago-turabian/

About This Article

To cite a song using APA, start by putting the last name of the songwriter or composer, followed by their initials. Then, add the copyright year in parenthesis, and the title of the song. Next, start a new sentence with the word “on,” followed by the italicized name of the album and the medium you heard it on. End the citation with the location, the name of the recording company, and the recording year. For more information on citing songs, including in-text citations for MLA and Chicago style, read on! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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How to Cite Song Lyrics in Different Formats With Examples

• 11 December 2023

Songs contain lyrics that can support arguments made in scholarly papers. Basically, MLA 9, APA 7, Chicago/Turabian, and Harvard referencing styles rely on different rules for in-text citations and bibliographic entries. In this case, significant differences include orders or names, use of capital letters and sentence cases, and sequence of bibliographic details. For example, bibliographic entries in MLA 7 and Chicago/Turabian formats should have a song’s titles in a title case. However, song’s titles must appear in a sentence case for APA 7 and Harvard format styles. In all referencing styles, writers may use parenthetical or narrative in-text citations. Also, parenthetical in-text citations should appear inside rounded brackets. In turn, only the MLA 9 style does not require an author-date format for in-text citations. Besides, the MLA referencing style requires students to use the artist’s name and the section cited. In particular, parts of songs refer to the duration of time that contains quoted lyrics. Also, a prudent writer includes the production date inside the essay’s body. Finally, one should include URL links for songs located in online databases. Hence, students need to learn how to cite song lyrics in MLA 9, APA 7, Chicago/Turabian, and Harvard formats.

General Guidelines for Using Music Lyrics in MLA 9, APA 7, Chicago/Turabian, and Harvard Styles

Songs are suitable sources of information used in scholarly papers. For example, students in literature write papers analyzing specific song lyrics. In most cases, instructions require them to use different referencing styles to cite song lyrics. Basically, MLA 9, APA 7, Chicago/Turabian, and Harvard referencing styles rely on different rules for in-text citations and bibliographic entries. Also, the most significant differences include orders or names, use of capital letters and sentence cases, and sequence of bibliographic details. However, credible papers must follow the necessary guidelines to avoid possible cases of plagiarism. Hence, this guide provides key steps that a writer must follow when citing song lyrics MLA 9, APA 7, Chicago/Turabian, and Harvard styles.   

How to Cite Song Lyrics in MLA 9

1. in-text citation rules for citing music lyrics in mla 9.

MLA citation requires writers to use the artist’s name and the section cited. Basically, parts of songs refer to the duration of time that contains the quoted lyrics. In this case, one can use both parenthetical and narrative in-text citations when writing scholarly papers. In practice, parenthetical in-text citations should include the artist’s name and the time containing the cited lyric. Also, these details should appear inside rounded brackets at the end of a sentence. Hence, writers should separate the name and time using a black space.

Citation scheme for song lyrics in MLA 9:

• (Name Time)

In-text citation example for citing music lyrics in MLA 9:

• (Knowles-Carter 2:00-3:01)

Narrative in-text citations contain similar details as parenthetical ones. However, only the time should appear in rounded brackets at the end of the sentence.

Example of a narrative in-text citation for song lyrics in MLA 9:

• According to Knowles-Carter, … (2:00-3:01).

2. Full Bibliographic Entry on Works Cited for Song Lyrics in MLA 9

Music exists in multiple ways, which depends on the container that a writer may access. For example, music citations in MLA 9 begin with last names of artists. In some instances, writers may opt to use composers or performers in the absence of the artist’s surnames. Otherwise, one must note composers and performers after the album’s title. In turn, the song’s title must appear inside double quotation marks, while the album’s entry should look as italicized. Besides, one must use the title case for the song’s entry. Then, other essential details include the recording manufacturer and the publication date where applicable.

Example of a bibliographic entry on Works Cited for song lyrics in MLA 9:

• Knowles-Carter, Beyoncé Giselle. “Irreplaceable.” Lemonade, Parkwood Entertainment, 2009, www.youtube.com/watch?v=2EwViQxSJJQ.  

The bibliographic entry should begin with the artist’s surname followed by the first and second names. Periods should support the artist’s names, title, and URL link for music available online. However, a comma should follow the album, producer, and publication year.

3. MLA Footnote for Song Lyrics

MLA referencing style requires writers to use references when providing long explanations. In this case, MLA footnotes contain details that may distract readers. As a rule, one should use numerical footnote callouts inside the body text. Moreover, footnote callouts should appear as a suffix. In turn, actual footnotes must look at the bottom of the page containing the callout. Hence, the following is an example of a possible note: 

Footnote example for song lyrics in MLA 9:

• 1 For more relevant lyrics, listen to the section between the second and third minutes.

How to Cite Song Lyrics in APA 7

1. in-text citation rules for citing music lyrics in apa 7.

APA style requires writers to use parenthetical or narrative in-text citations. Basically, writers should use the artist’s surname and production date. In some cases, one may include the truck number in the in-text citation where applicable.

Citation schemes for song lyrics in APA 7:

• (Surname, Date)
• According to Surname (date), … .

Parenthetical citation sample for song lyrics in APA 7:

• (Knowles-Carter, 2009)

Narrative in-text citation example for citing music lyrics in APA 7:

• Knowles-Carter (2009) sang about the value of a romantic partner… .

2. Reference Entry for Song Lyrics in APA 7

Bibliographic entries in APA 7 should appear on the last page of any essay or research paper . As a rule, reference entries should contain the artist’s surname, song’s title, medium, and producer and URL link where applicable. Also, bibliographic entries must appear in the sentence case. Hence, the following is an example of the reference entry.

Example of a reference entry for song lyrics in APA 7:

• Knowles-Carter, B. G. (2009). Irreplaceable [CD]. Parkwood Entertainment. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2EwViQxSJJQ

3. APA Footnote for Song Lyrics

The following is an example of a possible footnote.

Footnote example for song lyrics in APA 7:

• 1 For more details about the importance of love, listen to the section between the second and third minutes.

How to Cite Song Lyrics in Chicago/Turabian

1. in-text citation rules for citing music lyrics in chicago/turabian.

The Chicago/Turabian citation style requires writers to use music lyrics to support their central arguments. As a rule, all citations must contain an accurate date. Besides, students should use the recording date as opposed to the release year. In turn, the Chicago/Turabian style requires one to use two in-text citation types, which include parenthetical citations or footnotes.

Parenthetical in-text citation for song lyrics in Chicago/Turabian:

Parenthetical citations in Chicago/Turabian should include the artist’s surname and production date. Basically, writers should separate these details with space, which must appear inside rounded brackets at the end of a sentence. Hence, the following is an example that one should use:

In-text citation scheme:

• (Artist Date)

Actual in-text citation:

• (Knowles-Carter 2009)

2. Bibliography Entry for Song Lyrics in Chicago/Turabian

Chicago/Turabian bibliographic entries should appear on the essay’s last page. Basically, a credible bibliographic entry should contain the artist, the song’s title, recording data, producers, and medium. However, one may include the URL link of the song where necessary. Also, the song’s title must appear as italicized for the bibliographic entry. Hence, the following is the scheme required and actual example.

Bibliography scheme for song lyrics in Chicago/Turabian:

• Name of group or composer or performer.  Title . Contributing personnel. Recording date. Recording Company or Publisher, medium.

Example of a bibliography entry for song lyrics in Chicago/Turabian:

• Knowles-Carter, Beyoncé Giselle. Irreplaceable . 2009. Parkwood Entertainment, CD. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2EwViQxSJJQ.

3. Chicago/Turabian Footnote for Song Lyrics

Writers should use footnote callouts in the text body. Basically, numerical callouts should follow ending punctuation marks, like periods and question and exclamation marks. In this case, Chicago/Turabian footnote containing the bibliographic entry should appear at the bottom of the page. Also, each note should have a binary number that corresponds to the one used in the callout. However, a period should follow the numeral used. Besides, the artist’s name should appear in the standard form, which begins with the first name for the first in-text citation. Hence, the following is the scheme and actual in-text citation.

Footnote scheme for song lyrics in Chicago/Turabian:

• 1. Name of group/composer/performer, “Title,” contributing personnel, recording date, Recording Company or Publisher, track number on Name of Album , year of release, medium.

Example of a Chicago/Turabian footnote for song lyrics:

• 1. Beyoncé Giselle Knowles-Carter, “Irreplaceable,” recorded February 2009, on Lemonade , Parkwood Entertainment, CD, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2EwViQxSJJQ.

How to Cite Song Lyrics in Harvard

1. in-text citation rules for citing music lyrics in harvard.

The Harvard referencing style requires writers to use parenthetical or narrative in-text citations. As a rule, in-text citations must include the artist’s surname and production date. For parenthetical in-text citations, students should separate the artist’s surname and production date with space.

Citation schemes for song lyrics in Harvard:

• (Surname Date)
• Surname (Date) sang … .

Parenthetical citation sample for song lyrics in Harvard:

Narrative in-text citation example for citing music lyrics in Harvard:

• Knowles-Carter (2009) sang about the importance of valuing romantic love.

2. Reference Entry for Song Lyrics in Harvard

Bibliographic entries in Harvard should appear on the last page of essays and research papers. As a rule, Harvard references should contain the artist’s surname, song’s title, medium, and producer. Moreover, the song’s title must appear in sentence case and be italicized. In this case, a prudent writer must use commas to separate all the details in the entry. Besides, reference entries should begin with the author’s surname followed by the initials of other names. Hence, the following is an example of a reference entry for song lyrics in Harvard.

• Knowles-Carter, BG 2009, Irreplaceable , CD, Parkwood Entertainment.

3. Harvard Footnote for Song Lyrics

The following is an example of a possible note.

• 1 For more details about valuing one’s romantic partner, listen to the section between the first and third minutes.

Songs contain lyrics that can support the main arguments presented in scholarly articles. In this case, MLA 9, APA 7, Chicago/Turabian, and Harvard referencing styles rely on different rules. Also, one should consider the following guidelines on how to cite song lyrics in MLA 9, APA 7, Chicago/Turabian, and Harvard when using such sources in essays and research papers.

• Bibliographic entries in MLA 9 and Chicago/Turabian should have song titles in a title case.
• Song’s title must appear in sentence cases for APA 7 and Harvard styles.
• In all referencing styles, writers may use parenthetical or narrative in-text citations.
• Only the MLA style does not require an author-date format for the in-text citation.

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Q. How should I reference song lyrics in APA Style?

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Answered By: Theresa Bell (she/her/hers) Last Updated: Nov 02, 2021     Views: 146473

APA Style (7th ed.)

If you retrieved the lyrics directly from listening to the song, reference the song using the following general example:

Lastname, A. (year). Title of song [Song]. On Title of album. Record Label.

• In-text citation: (Lastname, year, timestamp)

Lastname, A. (year). Title of song [Song]. On Title of album . Record Label. URL

• Provide the name of the recording artist for modern music and the name of the composer for classical music (APA, 2020, p. 341).
• "Include a URL in the reference if that location is the only means of retrieval (e.g., for artists who provide music in only one locations, such as SoundCloud or on their website)" (APA, 2020, p. 345)

If you retrieved the lyrics from a YouTube video , sheet music, or a web page , please use the formatting shown in those linked resources to reference the lyrics.

American Psychological Association. (2020).  Publication manual of the American Psychological Association  (7th ed.). https://doi.org/10.1037/0000165-000

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• Writing Tips

How to Cite a Song or Album in MLA Referencing

3-minute read

• 7th April 2021

If you write about music in your work, you might have to cite a recording. But how do you cite a song or album in MLA referencing ? This post will explain the basics.

To cite a song or album in MLA referencing , simply give the artist’s last name or the band’s name in brackets in the relevant part of the text:

Her latest album has a strong environmental theme (Sturgeon).

“Wildlife in America” (Shearwater) comments on US culture.

And to cite a specific part of a song, you can add a timestamp :

The middle eight in “Air and Light” (Sturgeon 2:14–2:29) is truly haunting.

In the above citation, for example, we are citing a section that runs from 2 minutes 14 seconds to 2 minutes 29 seconds into the song.

Musical Recordings in an MLA Works Cited List

All references contain certain core elements in MLA style. And for a musical recording, each entry should include some or all of the following:

• Artist or band name – For individual artists, give their surname first, followed by their first name (e.g., Young, Neil). For artists who don’t follow this naming convention (e.g., U2 or Lady Gaga), just use the full name they are known by.
• Song title – If you are citing a specific song, give the title in quotation marks.
• Album title – Give the name of the album you are citing (or that the song you are citing comes from) in italics.
• Version – If relevant, include information on the version of the song next (e.g., if there are different versions of a song on different albums).
• Publication details – The name of the publisher (i.e., the record label that released the album or song) and the year the recording was released.
• URL – If you accessed the recording online, include the URL. For songs accessed via a streaming platform, give the platform name in italics.
• Format – If it is relevant to your work, you can optionally add the format of the recording at the end of your reference (e.g., CD, vinyl, MP3).

You won’t always need all of this! For many references, the artist’s name, song and/or album title, the publisher, and the year of publication will be enough. But whatever you cite, make sure to include enough information in the Works Cited list to guide readers to the exact version of the recording you have used.

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Example References

Below, you can see example references for an album, a song on an album, an album accessed via a streaming platform, and a single song accessed online:

Talk Talk. The Colour of Spring , EMI, 1986.

Song on an Album

Shearwater. “Animals in America.” Jet Plane and Oxbow , Subpop, 2016.

Album on a Streaming Service

Sturgeon, Jenny. The Living Mountain , Hudson Records, 2020. Spotify , https://open.spotify.com/album/7Kt6kaJ8dGIo6cngVA7dcB

Single Song Online

Benin City. “Freaking You Out.” Bandcamp , https://benincity.bandcamp.com/track/freaking-you-out

Make sure to add a hanging indent for each line after the first in all references.

Expert MLA Referencing Proofreading

To ensure all your referencing is error free, get in touch with our expert proofreading team. You can even get your first 500 words checked for free !

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23 How to Quote Song Lyrics in an Essay in APA Style

When writing essays in fields like music education, psychology, sociology, or other disciplines that may analyze song lyrics, you’ll often need to incorporate direct quotations or paraphrases to support your arguments and deepen your analysis. Understanding how to properly attribute these sources is essential to both academic integrity and effectively guiding your reader back to the original work. The American Psychological Association (APA) style provides the framework for formatting these citations while ensuring you give credit where credit is due.

Additionally, if you find yourself overwhelmed with the task of incorporating citations or formatting your paper according to APA guidelines, consider seeking assistance and ask professionals to do my paper on DoMyEssay to ensure accuracy and adherence to academic standards.

While there’s no single section in the APA manual devoted entirely to musical sources, you can intelligently adapt the principles for citing various source formats to fit this particular purpose. This involves a careful understanding of both APA’s conventions and the unique nature of musical works, where elements like composer, lyricist, performer, and the date of a particular release all contribute to the full picture.

In-Text Citations

Short Quotations : Integrate shorter lyrical excerpts directly into your text using quotation marks, providing a seamless flow within your writing and allowing the lyrics to speak directly to the reader. Separate line breaks with a single forward slash ( / ) and stanza breaks with two ( // ).

Joni Mitchell explores themes of freedom and constraint in her song “Big Yellow Taxi,” where she poignantly sings, “They paved paradise / And put up a parking lot” (Mitchell, 1970, track 4). 

This technique lets the song’s imagery resonate clearly, strengthening your argument by using the artist’s own words as direct evidence. Furthermore, short quotations can be particularly impactful when they capture a powerful metaphor or a striking turn of phrase unique to the songwriter. 

The bitter irony of “Don’t it always seem to go / That you don’t know what you’ve got ’til it’s gone” (Mitchell, 1970, track 4) underscores the song’s larger message about the fleeting nature of what we take for granted.

Block Quotations : For lengthier lyrical segments (typically four lines or more), set them apart as block quotations to emphasize their significance, help with visual clarity, and signify a deeper level of analysis. Indent the entire block from your main text. Consider this example:

They took all the trees

Put ’em in a tree museum

And they charged the people

A dollar and a half just to see ’em

(Mitchell, 1970, track 4)

By using a block quotation, you invite the reader to pause and carefully consider the extended lyrical passage, potentially uncovering deeper meanings, nuances, or its connection to the larger themes of your work. Block quotations can also highlight shifts in tone within a song or reveal the development of an idea across several verses. In Mitchell’s case, the block quote emphasizes the absurdity and commercialization of a world where nature is commodified, adding a layer of social commentary to the environmental focus of “Big Yellow Taxi.”

Citation Components : An in-text citation for song lyrics generally includes the songwriter(s) last name, copyright year, and either track number (for recordings) or page/line number (for printed scores). For example, a direct quotation from “Big Yellow Taxi” would be cited as (Mitchell, 1970, track 4). Paraphrases follow the regular APA pattern of (Author, Year), allowing you to rephrase the song’s message in your own words while still giving credit to the original idea. Remember that consistency in your citations adds a layer of professionalism and clarity to your essay writing , demonstrating your respect for intellectual property and guiding your reader effectively.

Reference List Entries

Your reference list, found at the end of your essay, provides a comprehensive and detailed guide to all the sources you’ve used. For song lyrics, this is where you meticulously list full publication information, allowing a reader to easily locate the exact music you analyzed. Here’s the basic structure, with examples and additional considerations:

Recorded Music : Start with the songwriter(s), copyright year, song title, and recording artist. Then, specify the album title, medium of the recording (vinyl, CD, digital, etc.), location of the record label, and the label itself.

Mitchell, J. (1970). Big Yellow Taxi [Recorded by Joni Mitchell]. On Ladies of the Canyon [LP record]. Burbank, CA: Reprise Records.

If the songwriter and recording artist are the same, you can omit the bracketed “[Recorded by…]” portion. Sometimes, you might need to differentiate between various editions or re-releases of an album, especially if bonus tracks or alternate versions are involved. Since different versions could contain lyrical changes, it’s important to be detailed to ensure a reader can locate the precise source you used. Also, be aware that original publication dates and recent re-releases can differ, so make sure to list the date relevant to the version you’re citing.

Printed Scores : For printed sheet music, whether it’s a full score or a simplified arrangement, focus on the publication details. List the songwriter(s), year of publication, song title, the type of score (vocal, instrumental, choral, etc. – if relevant), the city and state where the publisher is located, and the publisher’s name.

Dylan, B. (1963). Blowin’ in the Wind [Vocal score]. New York, NY: Warner Bros. Publications.

Printed scores can vary widely, from simple piano-and-vocal arrangements to comprehensive orchestral scores. Specifying the score type clarifies the exact version you used for analysis and can be particularly helpful if your arguments focus on instrumentation, harmonies, or other musical elements beyond just the lyrics themselves. Additionally, some scores include notes on historical context or performance practice relevant to specific genres or time periods, giving you additional insights for your analysis.

With a bit of careful attention and by understanding the core principles of APA, you can successfully integrate song lyrics into your academic writing, giving proper credit, strengthening your analysis, and enhancing the overall scholarly impact of your work!

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How to Write In-Text Citations for Music Lyrics

Learning to add in-text citations for music lyrics to an essay is important if you need to reference a particular lyric in your work. Many different referencing formats exist, including MLA, APA and Harvard, and each of these requires both a parenthetical citation and an entry in a reference list. The parenthetical citation is otherwise referred to as an "in-text" citation, and its primary function is to enable the reader to find the relevant entry in the reference list. Generally, the year the song was written (or the year an album was recorded) and the author’s surname are all that are required.

Find the name of the lyrics' author. If the lyrics are listed on the music CD, the author will usually appear above the lyrics. If not, the information can always be found with the copyright information, often toward the back of the booklet.

Locate the date of the writing or recording of the song. Essentially, you are looking for the date listed as the copyright date for the particular track. Look on the back of the CD case to find the release date of the album. Compare this information with the copyright information listed in the booklet of the CD to ensure that they match. If the particular song from which you are quoting the lyrics has an earlier date attached, use that date.

Write the author of the lyrics’ name in parentheses just prior to the quotation. In MLA format referencing, this is all that is required. For example, you could write “In the lyrics to ‘Imagine’ (Lennon), it states that…” if you were quoting the lyrics to “Imagine” by John Lennon.

Add the copyright date for the song you are referencing if you are using APA or Harvard format referencing. These systems use the “author-date” system of parenthetical citation, so after the author’s name, add a comma and then include the date. For example, you could write “The lyrics to ‘Teachers’ (Cohen, 1967) include the line …” if you were quoting “Teachers” by Leonard Cohen.

Use the author’s name in the main body of the text followed by the date in parentheses, if it is better for the essay’s readability. Using the example above, you could alternatively write “In ‘Teachers,’ Cohen (1967) states that he …” to cite the same work. Write any lyric in the same way as you would write poetry.

Need help with a citation? Try our citation generator .

• Williams College: APA Citation Style Guide, 6th ed.
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Lee Johnson has written for various publications and websites since 2005, covering science, music and a wide range of topics. He studies physics at the Open University, with a particular interest in quantum physics and cosmology. He's based in the UK and drinks too much tea.

Home / Guides / Citation Guides / MLA Format / How to Cite a Song in MLA

How to Cite a Song in MLA

Citing a song / musical recording.

Musical Recording – Any track or album from a compact disc, MP3 recording, MIDI, cassette, or vinyl recording.

MLA Album Citation Structure:

Group Name or Performer’s Last Name, First Name. Title of the Album. Edition if applicable, Publisher, Year of publication.

MLA Album Citation Examples:

BTS. Map of the Soul: 7.  Bighit Entertainment, 2020.

King, Carole. Tapestry. Remastered ed., Sony Legacy, 1999.

MLA Online Song Citation Structure:

Group Name or Performer’s Last Name, First Name. “Title of the Song.” Title of the Album , edition if applicable, Publisher, Year of publication. URL or App Name app.

MLA Online Song Citation Examples:

BTS. “Inner Child.” Map of the Soul: 7, Bighit Entertainment, 2020.  Spotify app.

Grannis, Kina. “When Will I Learn.” In the Waiting , KG Records, 2018, soundcloud.com/kina-grannis/when-will-i-learn?in=kina-grannis/sets/in-the-waiting.

MLA Song Citation Structure (for CD/MP3/MIDI/Cassette/Vinyl):

Last, First M. “Track Name.” Album Name , written/performed/conducted by First Name Last Name, album’s ed. (if applicable), Publisher, year of publication, track number. CD/MP3/MIDI/Cassette/Vinyl.

Note: There will not always be a separate writer, conductor, orchestra, or performer. If citing the entire album, do not fill out the track name.

MLA Song Citation Example:

Beethoven, Ludwig van. “Allegro Con Brio.” Piano Concertos Complete, performance by Friederich Gulda and Wiener Philharmoniker, conducted by Horst Stein, Decca Music Group, 1970, track 2. CD.

MLA Song In-text Citation Structure:

(Group Name or Performer’s Last Name)

MLA Song In-text Citation Example:

(Beethoven)

Other music citation examples:

• Citing a musical play
• Citing sheet music

Updated June 19, 2021.

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Q. How do I cite song lyrics in Chicago?

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Answered By: Katie Hutchison Last Updated: Dec 04, 2018     Views: 54839

APA and Chicago Style  

Cite the parenthetical reference for the lyrics using APA style. Include the song title in quotation marks and in parentheses state the writer's last name, the copyright year and the track number if this is available. Using our example from Step 2 in the previous section, the in-text reference will be "Writing is My World" (Lyrics, 2006).  

Include the writer's name, copyright year, song title, album title (italicized) and the website in the reference when using APA Style. Using our example, the entry will appear in the reference list as follows: Lyrics, T. (2006). Writing is My World. Reflections (italicized). Retrieved from  http://www.thomaslyrics.com  

Cite the song using Chicago Style as a footnote. Include the superscript numeral in the text before hyphens and at the end of a sentence, clause or quotation. Use the normal size number in the footnote followed by a period. Assuming the details in Section 1, the footnote is as follows: 1. Thomas Lyrics, Writing is My World (italicized) (New York: Meditation Records, 2006),  http://www.thomaslyrics.com  

Include the song in the bibliographic reference for Chicago Style using the same detail that was included in the footnote. Begin with the artist's last name and include the publishing details without using parenthesis as was done in the footnote. Use periods to separate the elements. Using our example, cite the entry in the bibliography as follows: Lyrics, Thomas. Writing is My World (italicized). New York: Meditation Records, 2006.  http://www.thomaslyrics.com  

(Retrieved from https://penandthepad.com/cite-song-lyrics-online-source-4116.html "How Do I Cite Song Lyrics from and Online Source?" 10/26/16) 

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• You can find Hindi song lyrics here: http://www.lyricshawa.com/. You can also found Punjabi songs. by Kaka on Nov 20, 2017

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How to Include Song Lyrics in an Essay and Properly Quote Them

Song lyrics can add depth and meaning to an essay, whether you are analyzing a piece of music, exploring the themes of a song, or discussing the influence of a particular artist. However, it’s important to properly quote song lyrics to give credit to the original artist and comply with copyright laws. This step-by-step guide will show you how to quote song lyrics in your essay in a way that is both effective and legal.

Firstly, it’s important to choose an appropriate lyric that aligns with the topic of your essay. Make sure the lyric enhances your argument or supports the points you are trying to make. Once you have selected the lyric, enclose it in quotation marks. For example, if you are writing about the power of love, you might choose the lyric: “What’s love got to do, got to do with it?”

Next, indicate the artist’s name and the song title. This helps your reader identify the source of the lyric and gives credit to the original artist. You can use the em or strong tags to emphasize the artist’s name and song title. For example, you could write: According to Tina Turner in her song “ What’s Love Got to Do with It ?”.

If you are quoting multiple lines of a song, consider using the

tag to set the lyrics apart from the rest of your essay. This helps to distinguish the lyrics and makes them stand out to your reader. Additionally, it’s important to include the line breaks and punctuation as they appear in the song. This preserves the original formatting and ensures accuracy. For example, you could write: “What’s love got to do, got to do with it? What’s love but a second-hand emotion?” – Tina Turner, “ What’s Love Got to Do with It ?”

Remember, when quoting song lyrics, always give credit to the artist and song title, and make sure to follow proper formatting and punctuation. By properly quoting song lyrics, you can enhance your essay and give your reader a greater understanding of your analysis and interpretation.

Table of Contents

Understand the Copyright Laws

When quoting a song lyric in your essay, it is important to understand and adhere to the copyright laws to avoid any legal issues. Copyright laws protect the rights of the original creators of a work, including song lyrics. Here are some key points to keep in mind:

• Fair Use: Fair use is a legal doctrine that allows limited use of copyrighted material without permission from the rights holder. However, it is important to understand that the definition of fair use can vary depending on the purpose and nature of the use, the amount of the quote, and the effect on the market for the original work.
• Public Domain: Song lyrics may be in the public domain if the copyright term has expired or if the lyrics were never protected by copyright. It is important to check the copyright status of the song before including lyrics in your essay.
• Attribution: When quoting a song lyric, it is important to give proper attribution to the original artist. This includes mentioning the artist’s name and the song title. If possible, include additional information such as the album or release date.
• Obtaining Permission: In some cases, it may be necessary to obtain permission from the rights holder to quote a song lyric. This is particularly true if you plan to use a substantial portion of the lyrics or if you intend to use the lyrics for commercial purposes. Contact the rights holder or their authorized representative to obtain permission.

It is important to note that this guide does not provide legal advice. If you have specific questions or concerns about copyright laws, it is recommended to consult with a legal professional.

Choose a Relevant Song Lyric

When it comes to selecting a song lyric to quote in your essay, it is important to choose a relevant and meaningful line that adds value to your argument or enhances the overall message of your essay. Here are some steps to help you choose a fitting song lyric:

• Consider your essay topic: Think about the main theme or message of your essay. Are you discussing love, identity, or social justice? Select a song lyric that relates to your topic and helps reinforce your argument.
• Identify key words or phrases: Look for words or phrases in the song lyrics that align with your essay topic. These can be powerful metaphors, descriptive language, or emotional expressions that resonate with your readers.
• Research the song: Do some background research on the song and artist to gain a deeper understanding of the meaning behind the lyrics. This will help ensure that your chosen lyric fits well within the context of your essay.
• Avoid clichés: While popular song lyrics can be impactful, it is best to avoid overly clichéd lines that have been quoted extensively in other works. Choose a lyric that is unique, thought-provoking, and adds a fresh perspective to your essay.

By following these steps, you will be able to choose a relevant song lyric that complements your essay and engages your readers. Remember to properly cite the lyric according to the citation style guidelines provided by your instructor or institution.

Decide on the Quotation Style

After selecting the song lyric you want to quote in your essay, it is important to decide on the appropriate quotation style to use. The style you choose will depend on the citation format and guidelines specified by your instructor or the publication you are writing for.

There are various citation styles commonly used, including MLA (Modern Language Association), APA (American Psychological Association), and Chicago/Turabian. Each style has its own set of rules and guidelines for citing sources, including song lyrics.

1. MLA Style:

If you are using MLA style, the general rule for citing song lyrics is to enclose them in quotation marks and provide the artist’s name, the song title in italicized format, the album name (if applicable), the version or recording label (if necessary), and the release year. For example:

“I’m just a soul whose intentions are good” (Buffalo Springfield).

2. APA Style:

When using APA style, song lyrics should be presented in quotation marks and the artist’s name, the song title in italicized format, the album name (if applicable), the version or recording label (if necessary), and the release year should be provided. For example:

“I’m just a soul whose intentions are good” (Buffalo Springfield, 1966).

3. Chicago/Turabian Style:

If you are using Chicago/Turabian style, song lyrics are cited using an endnote or footnote. In the note, the artist’s name, the song title in italicized format, the album name (if applicable), the version or recording label (if necessary), and the release year should be included. For example:

1. Buffalo Springfield, “For What It’s Worth,” album title, version or recording label, 1966.

It is important to consult the specific guidelines of the citation style you are using to ensure that you provide all the necessary information and format the citation correctly. Additionally, if you are using lyrics from a song that is not well-known or easily accessible, you may need to provide additional information, such as the songwriter’s name or the URL of the song lyrics website.

Integrate the Song Lyric into Your Essay

Once you have selected a relevant song lyric to quote in your essay, it is important to integrate it smoothly into the rest of your writing. This ensures that the quote feels organic and flows seamlessly within your essay.

Here are some tips for properly integrating a song lyric into your essay:

• Provide context: Before quoting the song lyric, provide some context to your reader. Explain why you have chosen this specific lyric and how it relates to your essay topic or argument.
• Use quotation marks: Enclose the song lyric in quotation marks to indicate that it is someone else’s words. This helps to distinguish it from your own writing.
• Cite the source: After the quoted lyric, include the artist’s name, the song title, and the album or year of release in parentheses. This gives credit to the original creator and allows your readers to find the source if they are interested.
• Explain the significance: After quoting the lyric, explain its significance within the context of your essay. Discuss how it supports your argument or contributes to the overall theme of your writing.
• Provide analysis: Analyze the song lyric and discuss its meaning or impact. Consider the lyrics’ symbolism, imagery, or literary devices used. This demonstrates a deeper understanding of the song and its message.
• Connect to the broader discussion: Relate the quoted lyric back to your thesis or the main points of your essay. Show how it adds value to the larger topic and contributes to the overall discussion.

By following these steps, you can seamlessly integrate a song lyric into your essay. Remember to maintain a balance between quoting and analyzing, and ensure that the song lyric enhances your argument or provides valuable insight to your readers.

Use Quotation Marks and Citations

When quoting a song lyric in your essay, it is important to use quotation marks and provide proper citations to give credit to the original artist and songwriter.

Here are the steps to follow:

• Place the lyric in quotation marks: Start by enclosing the song lyric you are quoting in double quotation marks. For example, if you are quoting the line “I will always love you” from the song “I Will Always Love You” by Whitney Houston, write it as: “I will always love you”.
• Indicate the song title: After the lyric, include the title of the song in italics. For example: “I will always love you” (italicized).
• Note the artist: Next, mention the name of the artist or band who performed the song. In our example, it would be Whitney Houston.
• Provide the album’s name (optional): If relevant, you can also include the name of the album the song appears on. For example, if “I Will Always Love You” is from the album “The Bodyguard Soundtrack”, you can mention it.
• Add the year of release (optional): If you want to provide additional information, you can include the year the song was released. For instance, if “I Will Always Love You” was released in 1992, you can mention it as well.

Here is an example of how a properly quoted song lyric in an essay would look:

Remember, using quotation marks and providing proper citations not only shows respect for the original artist, but it also helps avoid plagiarism and gives readers the necessary information to locate the song.

Provide Context for the Song Lyric

When including a song lyric in your essay, it’s important to provide context so that the reader understands the significance of the lyric and its connection to your argument or analysis. Contextualizing the song lyric can help support your points and make your essay more cohesive. Here are a few ways to provide context for the song lyric:

• Introduce the song: Begin by briefly introducing the song that the lyric is from. Mention the title of the song and the name of the artist or band. This provides basic information for the reader and also helps them locate the song if they are interested in listening to it.
• Explain the meaning: Provide a brief explanation of the meaning behind the song or the message it conveys. This can help the reader better understand the lyric in its intended context.
• Discuss the relevance: Explain why the song lyric is relevant to your essay topic or argument. Connect it to the broader themes or ideas you are exploring and explain how the lyric supports or enhances your point.
• Provide historical context: If the song lyric is from a particular time period or is associated with a social or cultural movement, provide some background information to give the reader a better understanding of the historical context of the lyric.
• Use quotations or excerpts: Include a short excerpt of the song lyrics to give the reader a sense of the words and their impact. Enclose the lyric in quotation marks and provide a citation to give credit to the artist and the song.

By providing context for the song lyric, you not only ensure that the reader understands its significance but also enhance the overall quality of your essay. Context can help you effectively incorporate the song lyric into your analysis and make your arguments more persuasive and compelling.

Analyze the Song Lyric in Relation to Your Essay

Once you have properly quoted the song lyric in your essay, it’s important to analyze it in relation to the topic and purpose of your essay. By doing so, you can provide a deeper insight and understanding of the lyric for your readers.

Here are some steps to help you analyze the song lyric:

• Explain the meaning: Start by explaining the meaning of the song lyric in your own words. Consider the overall theme and message conveyed by the lyric. Is it about love, heartbreak, social issues, or personal experiences?
• Explore the emotions: Discuss the emotions evoked by the song lyric. How does the lyric make you feel? Does it convey joy, sadness, anger, or any other powerful emotions? Explain why the lyric has such an impact on you and its relevance to your essay.
• Analyze the language: Analyze the language used in the song lyric. Look for any poetic devices, such as metaphors, similes, personification, or symbolism. Discuss how these devices contribute to the overall meaning and effectiveness of the lyric.
• Consider the context: Consider the context in which the song lyric was written. Look into the artist’s background, the music genre, and the time period. Understanding the context can provide valuable insights into the meaning and intention behind the lyric.
• Relate it to your essay: Finally, relate the song lyric to the main theme or argument of your essay. Explain how the lyric enhances your understanding of the topic and supports your overall analysis. Use the lyric as a supporting example or evidence to strengthen your points.

Analyzing the song lyric in relation to your essay not only adds depth to your writing but also demonstrates your critical thinking skills. It allows your readers to see the connection between the song and your essay, creating a cohesive and well-supported piece of writing.

Conclude with a Personal Interpretation

In conclusion, including a personal interpretation of the song lyric in your essay can provide a unique perspective and enhance the overall analysis. This final section allows you to express your own thoughts and feelings about the lyric and its significance. Here are a few steps to help you effectively conclude your essay with a personal interpretation:

• Reflect on the meaning of the lyric: Take some time to think about the message and emotions conveyed by the song lyric. Consider how it relates to your own experiences and beliefs.
• Analyze the impact of the lyric: Evaluate the effect that the lyric has on the overall song and its intended audience. Think about the themes and ideas it explores and how they resonate with you.
• Offer your personal perspective: Share your own interpretation of the lyric and explain why it resonates with you. Discuss any personal connections or experiences that relate to the theme or message of the song.
• Provide supporting evidence: Back up your personal interpretation with examples from the lyric itself or other relevant sources. Cite specific lines or phrases that support your viewpoint.

Ultimately, the personal interpretation section should bring together your analysis and reflection on the song lyric, allowing you to express your own thoughts and emotions. Keep in mind that this section should not dominate the essay but rather serve as a meaningful conclusion to your analysis.

Question and answer:

What is the correct way to quote a song lyric in an essay.

The correct way to quote a song lyric in an essay is to use quotation marks around the entire lyric line and include the songwriter’s name, the song title, and the album or source where the song can be found.

Can I use a song lyric as the title of my essay?

It is generally not recommended to use a song lyric as the title of your essay, as it may give the impression that your essay is primarily focused on the song itself rather than the broader topic you are writing about.

What if I want to include a longer excerpt from a song in my essay?

If you want to include a longer excerpt from a song in your essay, you can format it as a block quotation by indenting the entire excerpt on both sides and using a smaller font size. However, it is important to only include longer excerpts if they are directly relevant and contribute to the overall point or argument of your essay.

Do I need to provide the songwriter’s name and the album for every song lyric I quote in my essay?

Yes, it is important to provide the songwriter’s name and the album or source where the song can be found for every song lyric you quote in your essay. This helps give proper credit to the songwriter and allows your readers to easily locate the song if they are interested.

Can I alter or modify song lyrics when quoting them in my essay?

When quoting song lyrics in your essay, it is generally recommended to preserve the original wording and not alter or modify the lyrics. However, if you need to make slight changes for grammatical or stylistic reasons, you can use square brackets [ ] to indicate any modifications you have made.

What if I don’t know the songwriter’s name or the album of the song?

If you are unsure of the songwriter’s name or the album of the song you are quoting, you can do some research to try and find this information. If you are unable to find the specific details, you can mention this in your essay or use a generic reference such as “unknown songwriter” or “unreleased song” to acknowledge the lack of information.

Can I use song lyrics as evidence or support for my arguments in an essay?

Yes, you can use song lyrics as evidence or support for your arguments in an essay, as long as they are relevant to your topic and help strengthen your points. However, it is important to provide proper analysis and interpretation of the lyrics to explain how they contribute to your argument.

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Proper Formatting of Song Titles in Written Documents

Learn when to use italics and quotation marks to write clearly

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What to Know

• Refer to the style guide specified by your employer, client, or teacher.
• In the absence of a style guide, the general rule is to use quotation marks for song titles and italicize CD or album titles.
• Don't use underlining in place of italics unless you are using a typewriter or writing titles by hand.

This article explains the proper formatting of song titles in written documents and includes examples.

How to Format Song Titles in Written Documents

For matters of style when punctuating and formatting titles of any kind, turn first to the style guide prescribed by your employer, client, or teacher. In the absence of a style guide, use the following guidelines:

• Put quotation marks around song titles : For best appearance in professionally typeset material, use proper typographical quote marks and apostrophes ( curly quotes ).
• Set CD/album titles in italics : In typeset material, watch out for fake italics . That's not a grammar rule but it is a good design and printing rule.
• Do not use underlining (in place of italics) unless you're using a typewriter or writing titles by hand.

In desktop publishing and word processing software, create character styles to quickly format song titles and other types of titles used throughout a document.

Example References to Song Titles and Albums

Here are two examples of text that includes song titles and album titles:

• Trace Adkins' first #1 single “(This Ain’t) No Thinkin’ Thing” is from his 1997 CD  Dreamin’ Out Loud . 
• The title cut from Toby Keith’s How Do You Like Me Now? was the most-played country song of 2000. Other favorites from the same album include “You Shouldn’t Kiss Me Like That” and “Country Comes to Town.”

When the song/album is the same : In the second example, although “ How Do You Like Me Now? ” is the song title, it is also the album title and in that context is treated as the album title, using italics. It would be just as correct to write: My favorite song on the How Do You Like Me Now? album is “How Do You Like Me Now?”

Punctuation in titles : When a song title ends in a question mark, exclamation point, or other punctuation, that punctuation goes inside the quotation marks because it's part of the song title. The beginning portion of the Adkins song title in parentheses is contained in the quotation marks the same as the other part of the song title.

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MLA Works Cited: Other Common Sources

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Several sources have multiple means for citation, especially those that appear in varied formats: films, DVDs, television shows, music, published and unpublished interviews, interviews over e-mail, published and unpublished conference proceedings. The following section discusses these sorts of citations as well as others not covered in the print, periodical, and electronic sources sections.

Use the following format for all sources:

Author. Title. Title of container (self contained if book), Other contributors (translators or editors), Version (edition), Number (vol. and/or no.), Publisher, Publication Date, Location (pages, paragraphs URL or DOI). 2 nd container’s title, Other contributors, Version, Number, Publisher, Publication date, Location, Date of Access (if applicable).

An Interview

Interviews typically fall into two categories: print or broadcast published and unpublished (personal) interviews, although interviews may also appear in other, similar formats such as in e-mail format or as a Web document.

Personal Interviews

Personal interviews refer to those interviews that you conduct yourself. List the interview by the name of the interviewee. Include the descriptor Personal interview and the date of the interview.

Smith, Jane. Personal interview. 19 May 2014.

Published Interviews (Print or Broadcast)

List the interview by the full name of the interviewee. If the name of the interview is part of a larger work like a book, a television program, or a film series, place the title of the interview in quotation marks and place the title of the larger work in italics. If the interview appears as an independent title, italicize it. For books, include the author or editor name after the book title.

Note: If the interview from which you quote does not feature a title, add the descriptor, Interview by (unformatted) after the interviewee’s name and before the interviewer’s name.

Gaitskill, Mary. Interview with Charles Bock. Mississippi Review , vol. 27, no. 3, 1999, pp. 129-50.

Amis, Kingsley. “Mimic and Moralist.” Interviews with Britain’s Angry Young Men , By Dale Salwak, Borgo P, 1984.

Online-only Published Interviews

List the interview by the name of the interviewee. If the interview has a title, place it in quotation marks. Cite the remainder of the entry as you would other exclusive web content. Place the name of the website in italics, give the publisher name (or sponsor), the publication date, and the URL.

Note: If the interview from which you quote does not feature a title, add the descriptor Interview by (unformatted) after the interviewee’s name and before the interviewer’s name.

Zinkievich, Craig. Interview by Gareth Von Kallenbach. Skewed & Reviewed , 27 Apr. 2009, www.arcgames.com/en/games/star-trek-online/news/detail/1056940-skewed-%2526-reviewed-interviews-craig. Accessed 15 May 2009.

Speeches, Lectures, or Other Oral Presentations (including Conference Presentations)

Start with speaker’s name. Then, give the title of the speech (if any) in quotation marks. Follow with the title of the particular conference or meeting and then the name of the organization. Name the venue and its city (if the name of the city is not listed in the venue’s name). Use the descriptor that appropriately expresses the type of presentation (e.g., Address, Lecture, Reading, Keynote Speech, Guest Lecture, Conference Presentation).

Stein, Bob. “Reading and Writing in the Digital Era.” Discovering Digital Dimensions, Computers and Writing Conference, 23 May 2003, Union Club Hotel, West Lafayette, IN. Keynote Address.

Panel Discussions and Question-and-Answer Sessions

The MLA Handbook makes a distinction between the formal, rehearsed portion of a presentation and the informal discussion that often occurs after. To format an entry for a panel discussion or question-and-answer session, treat the panel members or speakers as authors by listing them first. If these people are formally listed as panelists, indicate this by following their names with a comma and the title "panelist(s)." Follow with the title of the discussion, or, if there is no title, a simple description. In the latter case, don't capitalize the description. Follow this with the title of the conference or event. End with the date and the location.

Bavis, Jim and Stein, Tammi, panelists. Panel discussion. Dawn or Doom Conference, 4 Nov. 2018, Stewart Hall, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN.

Treat recorded discussions as instances of the appropriate medium (e.g., if you want to cite a recording of a panel discussion hosted on YouTube, cite it the same way you would cite an ordinary online video ).

Published Conference Proceedings

Cite published conference proceedings like a book. If the date and location of the conference are not part of the published title, add this information after the published proceedings title.

Last Name, First Name, editor. Conference Title , Conference Date and Location, Publisher, Date of Publication.

To cite a presentation from published conference proceedings, begin with the presenter’s name. Place the name of the presentation in quotation marks. Follow with publication information for the conference proceedings.

Last Name, First Name. “Conference Paper Title.” Conference Title that Includes Conference Date and Location , edited by Conference Editor(s), Publisher, Date of Publication.

A Painting, Sculpture, or Photograph

Provide the artist's name, the title of the artwork in italics, and the date of composition. Finally, provide the name of the institution that houses the artwork followed by the location of the institution (if the location is not listed in the name of the institution, e.g. The Art Institute of Chicago).

Goya, Francisco. The Family of Charles IV . 1800, Museo del Prado, Madrid.

If the medium and/or materials (e.g., oil on canvas) are important to the reference, you can include this information at the end of the entry. However, it is not required.

For photographic reproductions of artwork (e.g. images of artwork in a book), treat the book or website as a container. Remember that for a second container, the title is listed first, before the contributors. Cite the bibliographic information as above followed by the information for the source in which the photograph appears, including page or reference numbers (plate, figure, etc.).

Goya, Francisco. The Family of Charles IV . 1800, Museo del Prado, Madrid. Gardener's Art Through the Ages , 10 th ed., by Richard G. Tansey and Fred S. Kleiner, Harcourt Brace, p. 939.

If you viewed the artwork on the museum's website, treat the name of the website as the container and include the website's publisher and the URL at the end of the citation. Omit publisher information if it is the same as the name of the website. Note the period after the date below, rather than the comma: this is because the date refers to the painting's original creation, rather than to its publication on the website. Thus, MLA format considers it an "optional element."

Goya, Francisco.  The Family of Charles IV . 1800 . Museo del Prado,  museodelprado.es/en/the-collection/art-work/the-family-of-carlos-iv/f47898fc-aa1c-48f6-a779-71759e417e74.

A Song or Album

Music can be cited multiple ways. Mainly, this depends on the container that you accessed the music from. Generally, citations begin with the artist name. They might also be listed by composers or performers. Otherwise, list composer and performer information after the album title. Put individual song titles in quotation marks. Album names are italicized. Provide the name of the recording manufacturer followed by the publication date.

If information such as record label or name of album is unavailable from your source, do not list that information.

Morris, Rae. “Skin.” Cold, Atlantic Records, 2014. Spotify , open.spotify.com/track/0OPES3Tw5r86O6fudK8gxi.

Online Album

Beyoncé. “Pray You Catch Me.” Lemonade, Parkwood Entertainment, 2016, www.beyonce.com/album/lemonade-visual-album/.

Nirvana. "Smells Like Teen Spirit." Nevermind , Geffen, 1991.

Films or Movies

List films by their title. Include the name of the director, the film studio or distributor, and the release year. If relevant, list performer names after the director's name.

Speed Racer . Directed by Lana Wachowski and Lilly Wachowski, performances by Emile Hirsch, Nicholas Elia, Susan Sarandon, Ariel Winter, and John Goodman, Warner Brothers, 2008.

To emphasize specific performers or directors, begin the citation with the name of the desired performer or director, followed by the appropriate title for that person.

Lucas, George, director. Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope . Twentieth Century Fox, 1977.

Television Shows

Recorded Television Episodes

Cite recorded television episodes like films (see above). Begin with the episode name in quotation marks. Follow with the series name in italics. When the title of the collection of recordings is different than the original series (e.g., the show Friends is in DVD release under the title Friends: The Complete Sixth Season), list the title that would help researchers to locate the recording. Give the distributor name followed by the date of distribution.

"The One Where Chandler Can't Cry." Friends: The Complete Sixth Season , written by Andrew Reich and Ted Cohen, directed by Kevin Bright, Warner Brothers, 2004.

Broadcast TV or Radio Program

Begin with the title of the episode in quotation marks. Provide the name of the series or program in italics. Also include the network name, call letters of the station followed by the date of broadcast and city.

"The Blessing Way." The X-Files . Fox, WXIA, Atlanta, 19 Jul. 1998.

Netflix, Hulu, Google Play

Generally, when citing a specific episode, follow the format below.

“94 Meetings.” Parks and Recreation, season 2, episode 21, NBC, 29 Apr. 2010. Netflix, www.netflix.com/watch/70152031.

An Entire TV Series

When citing the entire series of a TV show, use the following format.

Daniels, Greg and Michael Schur, creators. Parks and Recreation . Deedle-Dee Productions and Universal Media Studios, 2015.

A Specific Performance or Aspect of a TV Show

If you want to emphasize a particular aspect of the show, include that particular information. For instance, if you are writing about a specific character during a certain episode, include the performer’s name as well as the creator’s.

“94 Meetings.” Parks and Recreation, created by Greg Daniels and Michael Schur, performance by Amy Poehler, season 2, episode 21, Deedle-Dee Productions and Universal Media Studios, 2010.

If you wish to emphasize a particular character throughout the show’s run time, follow this format.

Poehler, Amy, performer. Parks and Recreation. Deedle-Dee Productions and Universal Media Studios, 2009-2015.

Begin with the title of the episode in quotation marks. Provide the name of the series in italics. Then follow with MLA format per usual.

“Best of Not My Job Musicians.” Wait Wait…Don’t Tell Me! from NPR, 4 June 2016, www.npr.org/podcasts/344098539/wait-wait-don-t-tell-me.

Spoken-Word Albums such as Comedy Albums

Treat spoken-word albums the same as musical albums.

Hedberg, Mitch. Strategic Grill Locations . Comedy Central, 2003.

Digital Files (PDFs, MP3s, JPEGs)

Determine the type of work to cite (e.g., article, image, sound recording) and cite appropriately. End the entry with the name of the digital format (e.g., PDF, JPEG file, Microsoft Word file, MP3). If the work does not follow traditional parameters for citation, give the author’s name, the name of the work, the date of creation, and the location.

Beethoven, Ludwig van. Moonlight Sonata . Crownstar, 2006.

Smith, George. “Pax Americana: Strife in a Time of Peace.” 2005. Microsoft Word file.

Council of Writing Program Administrators, National Council of Teachers of English, and National Writing Project. Framework for Success in Postsecondary Writing . CWPA, NCTE, and NWP, 2011, wpacouncil.org/files/framework-for-success-postsecondary-writing.pdf.

Bentley, Phyllis. “Yorkshire and the Novelist.” The Kenyon Review , vol. 30, no. 4, 1968, pp. 509-22. JSTOR , www.jstor.org.iii/stable/4334841.

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Last year, a jury considered whether Ed Sheeran had copied Marvin Gaye’s classic “Let’s Get It On.”

But the courtroom didn’t hear Gaye’s sensuously sung original recording:

Instead, the jury was played a bare, electronically recreated track with a robotic voice:

It brought up a curious question …

Supported by

What Is a Song?

Is it simply the music flowing out of your earphones? According to the law, the answer is a bit more complicated.

By Ben Sisario

Ben Sisario has been covering music and copyright for more than a decade, including trials involving Ed Sheeran, Led Zeppelin and the song “Blurred Lines.”

For most music fans, a song is a simple thing to define: It’s the melodies, the lyrics, the grooves that come out of your speakers.

It’s a much thornier question when it comes to copyright law, one that has been tested in a series of high-profile lawsuits over the last decade, involving stars like Ed Sheeran, Led Zeppelin, Pharrell and Robin Thicke. Is songwriting defined by what you hear on a recording, or the notes inked long ago on a piece of sheet music? Where does a composer’s work end, and a performing artist’s begin?

In other words, what, exactly, is a song, in the eyes of the law?

In many music copyright disputes, one of the main issues is originality, or how the law sets a boundary between creative expression that is the property of a single artist versus material in the public domain. Last year, a federal jury in New York heard hours of expert testimony about whether a syncopated four-chord sequence in Marvin Gaye’s “Let’s Get It On” was distinctive enough that Sheeran’s song “Thinking Out Loud” infringed on it — or whether, as Sheeran’s lawyers contended, those parts are generic “building blocks” that no musician can own. The jury ruled in Sheeran’s favor , finding that he and a co-writer had created their song independently and not copied from Gaye’s 1973 classic.

But a key question running through that trial was about something even more fundamental: whether the core of “Let’s Get It On” — and what is protected by its copyright — is determined by the sounds we hear on its original recording, or the notes written on yellowing sheet music stored at the Library of Congress.

That issue was at the center of an appeals court’s decision four years ago regarding Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven,” and it is being considered in another appeal related to Sheeran and “Let’s Get It On.” Many experts believe it’s an underexplored question that gets to the heart of how copyright law intersects with music.

“This is the deep, existential, metaphysical question at the center of music copyright: We don’t even know what it is,” said Jennifer Jenkins, a law professor at Duke.

It is also an important question for an industry that in recent years has poured billions of dollars into deals for song catalogs, partly on the faith that their underlying copyrights offer robust protection against infringement. That may be challenging for older songs, because of a quirk in the law that can restrict how a song is defined and, therefore, just what its author owns.

How does a song get copyright protection?

There is a key date related to this issue: Jan. 1, 1978, when the last major revision of United States copyright law took effect.

Since then, songwriters have been able to register a composition with the Copyright Office by submitting a recording; all the melodies, chords and lyrics on it are considered evidence of their work. But earlier songs were subject to the Copyright Act of 1909, which required that songwriters submit transcribed sheet music, known as deposit copies.

For a century, these deposit copies were little more than receipts in a copyright paper trail. But since the “Blurred Lines” case a decade ago, when Pharrell and Thicke were found to have copied Gaye’s “Got to Give It Up” and ordered to pay more than $5 million in damages, these once-obscure documents have taken on a greater significance.

The judge in that case ruled that, under the 1909 law, the deposit copy for “Got to Give It Up” (1977) determined the “scope” of that song’s copyright. In other words, only the notes on its paper submission counted as representing Gaye’s songwriting creation, and any other elements that were on the song’s recording but not the deposit copy — like percussion and studio atmospherics — were not part of the underlying composition. (A separate copyright applies to the recording.) The jury, instructed to consider only what was on Gaye’s deposit copy, found that “Blurred Lines” had copied from it.

These deposit copies can be minimal, sometimes featuring just a vocal melody and indications of chords. The one for “Taurus,” a 1967 piece by the psychedelic rock band Spirit, which Led Zeppelin was accused of copying on “Stairway to Heaven,” is a single-page sketch of barely 100 notes, and a lawyer representing Michael Skidmore, a trustee of the trust that owns rights to “Taurus,” argued that it was not even an accurate transcription.

The deposit copy for “Let’s Get It On” is five pages but omits elements like piano, drums and guitar — including the wah-wah opening guitar lick that has been a Pavlovian call to the dance floor at many a wedding — that are part of the signature sound of Gaye’s original track.

The judge overseeing Sheeran’s trial, citing an appeals court’s detailed decision in the Led Zeppelin case, ruled that the absence of those elements from the “Let’s Get It On” deposit copy meant that lawyers for the plaintiffs — family members of Ed Townsend, Gaye’s co-writer and producer — had to restrict their arguments to the vocal melody and the chord pattern. That restriction likewise applied to Alexander Stewart, a music professor at the University of Vermont, who testified as an expert witness for the plaintiffs.

“Every time I opened my mouth and said the word ‘bass line,’ I was cut off,” Stewart said in an interview. “It was hard to make any cogent argument.”

Following a ruling by the judge, Gaye’s recording was never played for jurors. Instead, they heard an electronic realization of the deposit copy, submitted by the defense. It included bare piano chords and a robotic-sounding vocal — an oddly cold interpretation of one of pop music’s supreme erotic anthems. As the track played, quizzical expressions came over a few jurors’ faces.

Some scholars say the legal distinction between a composition in a deposit copy and what appears in a finished recording is a sign that the law has not kept up with how pop music has been made for decades. Very often, songs are created in the recording studio, and the line between composing, producing and performing can be fuzzy.

“It is completely divorced from actual music-making practice,” said Joseph P. Fishman, a professor at Vanderbilt Law School.

Jenkins, of Duke, said these cases point to one of the basic complexities of applying copyright — a concept originally made for books and other written material — to music.

“Music is first and foremost an auditory art form, but for most of copyright’s history it’s been defined as something you see,” Jenkins said. “There’s this disconnect, where the signifier — that written thing — is what a composer owns, but the signified is what the song actually is. It’s what we’re listening to.”

Is a whole song on the sheet music?

Exactly why deposit copies have gone from obscure legal formalities to hot topics in some of the biggest music lawsuits of the last decade is unclear. One theory is that historically, most accusations of infringement have involved the most prominent elements of a song, like the hook, vocal melody or lyrics — things that even the plainest sheet music would highlight.

But as pop music has evolved, and techniques like sampling have become standard, it has also become more common for background elements and secondary parts to be in dispute. Many recent cases, like those over “Blurred Lines” and Katy Perry’s “Dark Horse,” have focused on these aspects. (To some observers, the “Blurred Lines” verdict seemed to give the Gaye estate control over a loose rhythmic groove , though lawyers argued that it involved specific notes on a deposit copy.)

David Pullman, an investor whose company Structured Asset Sales is bringing the Sheeran appeal — he is best known for creating “Bowie bonds,” backed by David Bowie’s music royalties, in the 1990s — said he believes that many current artists borrow too much from popular old songs. “It’s easier to take a shortcut and infringe,” Pullman said in an interview, “than write a song that’s original.”

The history of the Sheeran case, now before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, is complex. Structured Asset Sales, which owns an 11.11 percent interest in “Let’s Get It On,” filed its own suit over “Thinking Out Loud” after a judge blocked the company from joining the Townsend family’s original action.

Structured Asset Sales’ suit was dismissed by a district court judge shortly after Sheeran won at trial last year. In its appeal, the company argues that a deposit copy does not necessarily define the scope of a song’s copyright under the 1909 law, and that the material on the sheet music only needs to be sufficient to identify it, despite the law’s reference to a “complete” copy. In court papers, Hillel I. Parness, a lawyer for the company, argued that expert witnesses should be able to interpret deposit copies for the jury, as happened at a trial involving the singer Michael Bolton in 1994.

Sheeran’s lawyers argue that the deposit copy rule is clear from the law, and is supported by longstanding guidance from the Copyright Office. At oral arguments last month, Donald S. Zakarin, a lawyer for Sheeran, also warned that straying from a deposit copy’s notation could lead to problems of “subjectivity” when defining a musical work that is in dispute.

“Future authors,” Zakarin said, “are going to be subjected to, ‘No, no, no, I intended to have that bass line. I know it’s not there, but I intended it.’”

In an informal survey of about a dozen intellectual-property experts, most said Sheeran’s side had the stronger argument about deposit copies under the 1909 law. “It’s a lousy rule,” said Fishman. “But that does seem to have been the rule at the time.”

But this rule, as set down in the Skidmore v. Led Zeppelin appeal, has at least one prominent skeptic in Paul Goldstein, a professor at Stanford Law School who is the author of a widely cited copyright treatise.

“Where I disagree with Skidmore,” Goldstein wrote in an email, “is in its assertion that the fact the copyright was secured by deposit of a copy of the musical work implies that the deposit copy defines the scope of copyright in the work to the exclusion of any other relevant evidence.” That evidence, he said, could include things like drafts and correspondence around a song’s creation.

Goldstein pointed to another possible source of evidence: sound recordings submitted to the Copyright Office as a supplemental registration. Under that theory, a songwriter with a deficient deposit copy of an old song could, since 1978, submit a recording of it to cover any additional elements — bass lines or guitar solos, for example — absent from the original registration.

This workaround was suggested by the Copyright Office and the Justice Department in an amicus brief filed in the Led Zeppelin appeal. It was apparently little known at the time, though Structured Asset Sales’ court papers note that in 1988, the music publisher for the Rolling Stones’ song “Sympathy for the Devil” submitted that track’s 1968 studio recording to cover a new “arrangement.”

Pullman, of Structured Asset Sales, said that discussion of this workaround during the Led Zeppelin appeal led him to submit the recording of “Let’s Get It On” as a new registration in 2020, to cover any compositional elements not on the deposit copy — which could be more ammunition in a dispute against Sheeran’s “Thinking Out Loud.”

Could it work? So far that issue has not been tested by the courts.

Credits: Rob Verhorst/Redferns, via Getty Images (Marvin Gaye photograph); Let’s Get It On: written by Marvin Gaye and Ed Townsend; Taurus: written by Randy Wolfe, a.k.a. Randy California (music sheets)

Produced by Alicia DeSantis , Sean Catangui , Jolie Ruben , Josephine Sedgwick and Tala Safie .

Ben Sisario covers the music industry. He has been writing for The Times since 1998. More about Ben Sisario

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How do I cite translated lyrics?

Note: This post relates to content in the eighth edition of the MLA Handbook . For up-to-date guidance, see the ninth edition of the MLA Handbook .

You can cite translated lyrics like other song lyrics. The following provides an example:

Piaf, Édith. Lyrics to “Jete e trendafilte.” Translated by Marenglen Arapi. Lyrics Translate , 3 Mar. 2019, lyricstranslate.com/en/la-vie-en-rose-jete-e-trendafilte.html.

In the example above, the translator, Marenglen Arapi, is given in the middle optional-element slot , because Arapi translated only “Jete e trendafilte,” not all the lyrics on the site Lyrics Translate. The container, Lyrics Translate , is a website that contains lyrics translated by many different people. If you are citing a complete work that has been translated, like a libretto, the translators would be given in the Contributors element. The following provides an example:

Schikaneder, Emanuel. The Magic Flute . Translated by Ruth Martin and Thomas Martin, G. Schirmer, 1941.

In the example above, Ruth Martin and Thomas Martin appear in the Contributors element. See our related post on citing song lyrics .