how do you cite songs 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 320,104 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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Let’s be clear – accurately citing sources plays an important role, and not just for attributing credit but also allowing readers to locate the original sources. In the guide below we will discuss the specifics of citing songs in Modern Language Association (MLA) format, since it’s a common citation style used in the humanities. Citing songs (just like citing a podcast ), with their unique blend of lyrics, melodies, and performances, requires attention to detail to capture both the artistry and the information needed for scholarly analysis.

Citing sources in MLA format assures consistency and clarity in academic writing. Songs and music, as cultural artifacts, provide insights into societal norms, historical contexts, and artistic expression, so many students tend to use them in academic writing.

Key Elements of a Song for Proper Citing in MLA

To cite songs in MLA format you need several components that make the citation accurate. These elements help readers locate the original sources and provide a clear context of how the song was accessed or published . Below, we provide the must-have elements required for correctly citing songs in MLA:

Don’t jump right into citing! First, it’s important to grasp the main idea of MLA citation practices for music sources. Whether you’re referencing a classic vinyl track, a digital download, or a streamed piece, the goal remains consistent: to acknowledge the original creators and enable your audience to find the source material. You could also use an MLA format generator to make things easier.

Try Out Our Citation generator

How to cite a song in physical formats.

For songs accessed in physical formats like CDs or vinyl records, the citation should include the performer’s last and first name, song title, album name, distributor, year of release, and format. An in-text citation is traditional for MLA. Look at the example below:

How to Cite a Music Album in MLA

Citing an entire album in MLA format differs from citing a single song primarily in the scope of the citation and the details included. While both citations share some common elements, citing an entire album involves referencing the work as a whole rather than focusing on an individual track.

If you want to reference an LP, it involves citing the work as a collective piece rather than an individual part of it . Here, the album itself is the primary focus, and the citation generally includes the artist’s name, the album title in italics, the publisher or record label, the publication year, and the format. Individual song titles are not included in this type of citation since the reference is to the album as a whole. Look at the example below:

Understanding the differences between citing a specific song and entire album will help you document musical sources in academic writing, so that readers can locate the referenced material and appreciate your research and analysis. Refer to the table below to learn them:

How to Cite Music Lyrics in MLA

Citing music lyrics in MLA format involves similar principles to citing other types of sources, with adjustments to accommodate the specific nature of musical works. When citing lyrics from a song, you’ll need to reference the songwriter, the title of the song, the album (if applicable), the recording artist (if different from the songwriter), the publisher, and the year of publication. If you accessed the lyrics online, you should also include the URL.

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to cite the song “That Girl” by Jennifer Nettles in MLA format, assuming you’re citing the lyrics as they appear in the album of the same name.

Reference List Entry

• Nettles, Jennifer is the songwriter and performer.
• “That Girl” is the song title.
• That Girl is the album name, italicized to differentiate it from the song title.
• Mercury Nashville is the record label.
• 2014 is the year of the album’s release.

In-Text Citation

If you quote the lyrics directly, MLA format requires you to provide an in-text citation. This citation should include the songwriter’s last name and the page number (if available) or, for audio recordings, a track number or a timestamp. Since lyrics do not have page numbers and track numbers might not always be relevant or available, you could cite the song title if needed.

Citing Online Lyrics

If you accessed the lyrics online, the citation format would slightly change to accommodate the URL. Assuming the lyrics were found on a website like Genius Lyrics or AZ Lyrics, you would format it as follows:

Nettles, Jennifer. “That Girl.” Genius, 2014, [URL]

• Replace [URL] with the actual URL where you found the lyrics.
• It’s not necessary to include the access date unless the page is likely to change over time.

In-Text Citation for Online Lyrics:

The in-text citation for online lyrics would remain similar to the example provided above, as the focus is on directing the reader to the full citation in your works cited list.

In “That Girl,” Nettles expresses the complex emotions of… (Nettles).

When citing music lyrics, always ensure that your in-text citations correspond clearly to an entry in your works cited list, allowing readers to locate the source of your quotation or reference easily.

Citing songs in MLA format requires attention to detail, from the performer’s name to the medium of access. The key elements of citation and common pitfalls help researchers and students respect copyright laws and academic standards in their work. Proper citation not only acknowledges the creators’ contributions but also makes the academic discourse more interesting by providing reliable and verifiable sources for further exploration.

Do I need to cite a song if I only mention its title in my paper?

Yes, if you mention a song title in your paper, you should provide a citation for it in your Works Cited list . This acknowledges the artist’s work and allows readers to locate the song themselves.

How do I cite a song that I listened to on a streaming service like Spotify or Apple Music?

To cite a song from a streaming service, include the performer’s name, the song title in quotation marks, the service (in italics), and the URL. For example: Swift, Taylor. “Cardigan.” Spotify , open.spotify.com/track/4R2kfaDFhslZEMJqAFNpdd.

What if the song has multiple performers or a featured artist?

List the main performer first, followed by the phrase “featuring” and the name(s) of the featured artist(s). For example: Mars, Bruno featuring Cardi B. “Finesse (Remix).” 24K Magic , Atlantic Records, 2018.

Can I cite a song I heard live at a concert?

Yes, to cite a live performance, include the performer’s name, the concert’s name (if applicable), the venue, the city, and the date of the performance. For example: Nettles, Jennifer. Live Performance. Ryman Auditorium, Nashville, 22 July 2014.

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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 parentheses 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.

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Home > Music > How To Cite Songs

How To Cite Songs

Published: February 25, 2024

Written by: Florri Timmerman

Learn how to cite songs in your academic papers and research using proper citation formats and guidelines. Find out how to reference music sources effectively.

(Many of the links in this article redirect to a specific reviewed product. Your purchase of these products through affiliate links helps to generate commission for Noodls.com, at no extra cost. Learn more )

Table of Contents

Introduction, why citing songs is important, how to cite songs in mla format, how to cite songs in apa format, how to cite songs in chicago style, how to cite songs in harvard style, tips for citing songs accurately.

Citing songs is an essential practice in academic and professional writing, ensuring that proper credit is given to the creators and contributors of musical works. Whether you are a student working on a research paper, a journalist writing an article, or a music enthusiast sharing insights, understanding how to cite songs correctly is crucial. This article will provide a comprehensive guide on citing songs in various formats, including MLA, APA, Chicago Style, and Harvard Style. By following these guidelines, you can accurately acknowledge the musical compositions and lyrical content that enrich your work.

Citing songs involves more than just acknowledging the artist and song title. It requires attention to detail, including the songwriter, album or single release, recording label, and publication year. Additionally, the format of the citation may vary depending on the style guide used, making it essential to be familiar with the specific requirements of each format.

As music continues to be a powerful and influential form of expression, the need to cite songs appropriately becomes increasingly important. Whether analyzing the cultural impact of a particular song, incorporating lyrics into a literary analysis, or discussing the evolution of musical genres, citing songs adds credibility and integrity to your work. Moreover, it demonstrates respect for the creative efforts of musicians and songwriters, acknowledging their contributions within the broader context of academic and professional discourse.

Understanding the nuances of citing songs not only upholds academic integrity but also contributes to the preservation of musical heritage. By accurately documenting the sources of musical inspiration and innovation, we honor the artistry and creativity that shape our cultural landscape. This guide aims to equip you with the knowledge and skills to cite songs effectively, ensuring that the voices and melodies that enrich your work are duly recognized and celebrated.

Read more : How To Quote A Song

Citing songs holds significant importance in academic, professional, and creative contexts. It serves as a means of acknowledging the creative contributions of musicians, songwriters, and performers, ensuring that their work is recognized and respected. By citing songs, individuals demonstrate ethical and scholarly integrity, attributing the source of their musical references and incorporating them into their own creative endeavors. This practice also fosters a culture of transparency and accountability, reinforcing the ethical foundation of intellectual and artistic discourse.

In academic writing, citing songs is essential for establishing credibility and supporting arguments with authoritative references. When analyzing the cultural impact of music, referencing specific songs and their creators adds depth and authenticity to scholarly discussions. Moreover, citing songs in research papers, essays, and dissertations allows readers to access the original sources, facilitating further exploration and understanding of the musical context under consideration.

In the realm of journalism and media, proper citation of songs is crucial for maintaining journalistic integrity and respecting intellectual property rights. Journalists and music critics often reference songs and lyrics to contextualize their analysis of musical trends, album reviews, and artist profiles. By citing songs accurately, journalists uphold professional standards and provide readers with the necessary information to engage with the music being discussed.

For creative writers, including novelists, poets, and playwrights, citing songs can enrich the narrative and evoke specific emotions or cultural references. Whether integrating song lyrics into a literary work or drawing inspiration from a particular musical composition, citing songs allows writers to pay homage to the musical influences that shape their creative expression. Additionally, proper citation serves as a form of tribute to the artists and songwriters who have contributed to the cultural tapestry of music.

In the digital age, where music is readily accessible through streaming platforms and online archives, citing songs becomes even more critical. With the ease of sharing and disseminating musical content, it is imperative to uphold ethical standards by acknowledging the original creators and sources of inspiration. This practice not only respects intellectual property rights but also fosters a climate of mutual respect and appreciation within the music community.

In essence, citing songs is important because it upholds ethical standards, acknowledges creative contributions, and enriches the quality of academic, professional, and creative works. By recognizing the significance of citing songs, individuals demonstrate a commitment to integrity, authenticity, and the preservation of musical heritage.

Citing songs in MLA format requires attention to specific details to ensure accurate and comprehensive documentation of the musical work. When referencing a song in MLA style, the following elements should be included in the citation:

Songwriter and Performer

The songwriter's name should be listed first, followed by the performer's name. For example: Last Name, First Name. "Song Title." Performer's Name, Album Name, Record Label, Year of Release.

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

Read more : Unveiling The Song With Unstoppable Feelings!

In-Text Citation

When incorporating a song reference into the body of the text, the songwriter's last name and the relevant page number (if available) should be included in parentheses. For example: (Dylan 12)

Online Sources

For songs accessed online, the citation should include the website name in italics, the publication date (if available), and the URL. For example: Last Name, First Name. "Song Title." Performer's Name, Album Name, Record Label, Year of Release, Website Name, Publication Date, URL.

Dylan, Bob. "Like a Rolling Stone." Bob Dylan, Columbia Records, 1965, Genius, 2021, www.genius.com/Bob-dylan-like-a-rolling-stone-lyrics .

Additional Considerations

When citing songs from a specific track within an album, the track number should be included after the song title. If the song is part of a larger work, such as an opera or musical, the title of the larger work should be italicized and listed before the song title.

By adhering to these guidelines, writers can accurately cite songs in MLA format, providing readers with the necessary information to locate and engage with the referenced musical compositions. Proper citation not only demonstrates scholarly rigor but also respects the creative endeavors of songwriters and performers, contributing to the integrity and authenticity of academic and professional discourse.

Remember, the key to citing songs in MLA format lies in meticulous attention to detail and adherence to the prescribed formatting guidelines. By mastering the art of citing songs in MLA style, writers can effectively integrate musical references into their work while upholding the standards of academic and professional integrity.

Read more : 10 Songs That Will Set Your Playlist On Fire!

Citing songs in APA format follows specific guidelines to ensure accurate and consistent documentation of musical references. When citing a song in APA style, the essential elements to include in the citation are as follows:

The songwriter's last name and initials should be listed first, followed by the songwriter's first name. The performer's name and the copyright year of the song should also be included. For example: Last Name, First Initials. (Copyright Year). Song Title [Recorded by Performer's Name]. On Album Title. Record Label.

Dylan, B. (1965). Like a Rolling Stone [Recorded by Bob Dylan]. On Highway 61 Revisited. Columbia Records.

When referencing a song within the text, the songwriter's last name and the copyright year should be included in parentheses. For example: (Dylan, 1965)

For songs accessed online, the citation should include the songwriter's last name and initials, the copyright year, the song title, the performer's name, the album title, the record label, and the URL. For example: Last Name, First Initials. (Copyright Year). Song Title [Recorded by Performer's Name]. On Album Title. Record Label. URL

Dylan, B. (1965). Like a Rolling Stone [Recorded by Bob Dylan]. On Highway 61 Revisited. Columbia Records. https://www.example.com/like-a-rolling-stone

When citing songs from a specific track within an album, the track number should be included after the song title. If the song is part of a larger work, such as a musical or opera, the title of the larger work should be italicized and listed before the song title.

Adhering to these guidelines ensures that songs are cited accurately in APA format, allowing readers to access and engage with the referenced musical compositions. By following the prescribed formatting rules, writers demonstrate scholarly rigor and respect for the creative contributions of songwriters and performers, thereby upholding the integrity and authenticity of academic and professional discourse.

Mastering the art of citing songs in APA format empowers writers to seamlessly integrate musical references into their work while maintaining the standards of academic and professional integrity.

Citing songs in Chicago Style requires meticulous attention to detail and adherence to specific formatting guidelines to ensure accurate and comprehensive documentation of musical references. When referencing a song in Chicago Style, the following elements should be included in the citation:

The songwriter's name should be listed first, followed by the performer's name. The song title should be enclosed in quotation marks, and the album title should be italicized. Additionally, the recording label and the year of release should be included. For example: Last Name, First Name. "Song Title." Album Title. Performer's Name. Recording Label, Year of Release.

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

When incorporating a song reference into the body of the text, the songwriter's last name, the song title, and the year of release should be included in parentheses. For example: (Dylan, "Like a Rolling Stone," 1965)

For songs accessed online, the citation should include the songwriter's name, the song title in quotation marks, the performer's name, the album title in italics, the recording label, the year of release, and the URL. For example: Last Name, First Name. "Song Title." Album Title. Performer's Name. Recording Label, Year of Release. URL

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

Adhering to these guidelines ensures that songs are cited accurately in Chicago Style, allowing readers to access and engage with the referenced musical compositions. By following the prescribed formatting rules, writers demonstrate scholarly rigor and respect for the creative contributions of songwriters and performers, thereby upholding the integrity and authenticity of academic and professional discourse.

Mastering the art of citing songs in Chicago Style empowers writers to seamlessly integrate musical references into their work while maintaining the standards of academic and professional integrity.

Citing songs in Harvard Style follows specific guidelines to ensure accurate and comprehensive documentation of musical references. When referencing a song in Harvard Style, the essential elements to include in the citation are as follows:

The songwriter's name should be listed first, followed by the performer's name. The song title should be enclosed in single quotation marks, and the album title should be italicized. Additionally, the recording label and the year of release should be included. For example: Last Name, First Initials. (Year of Release) 'Song Title', Album Title, Performer's Name, Recording Label.

Dylan, B. (1965) 'Like a Rolling Stone', Highway 61 Revisited, Bob Dylan, Columbia Records.

When referencing a song within the text, the songwriter's last name, the year of release, and the page number (if available) should be included in parentheses. For example: (Dylan, 1965, p. 12)

For songs accessed online, the citation should include the songwriter's last name and initials, the year of release, the song title in single quotation marks, the album title in italics, the performer's name, the recording label, and the URL. For example: Last Name, First Initials. (Year of Release) 'Song Title', Album Title, Performer's Name, Recording Label, URL

Dylan, B. (1965) 'Like a Rolling Stone', Highway 61 Revisited, Bob Dylan, Columbia Records, [URL]

Adhering to these guidelines ensures that songs are cited accurately in Harvard Style, allowing readers to access and engage with the referenced musical compositions. By following the prescribed formatting rules, writers demonstrate scholarly rigor and respect for the creative contributions of songwriters and performers, thereby upholding the integrity and authenticity of academic and professional discourse.

Mastering the art of citing songs in Harvard Style empowers writers to seamlessly integrate musical references into their work while maintaining the standards of academic and professional integrity.

Citing songs accurately requires attention to detail and adherence to specific formatting guidelines. To ensure precision and consistency in documenting musical references, consider the following tips:

Verify Song Information : Before citing a song, double-check the accuracy of the songwriter's name, performer, song title, album title, recording label, and year of release. Inaccurate information can lead to misattributions and diminish the credibility of your work.

Consult Official Sources : When citing songs, refer to official sources such as album liner notes, official artist websites, or reputable music databases. These sources often provide comprehensive and reliable information for citation purposes.

Differentiate Song Versions : If a song has multiple versions or covers by different artists, specify the particular version you are referencing. This distinction ensures clarity and precision in identifying the source of the musical content.

Use Italics and Quotation Marks : Follow the prescribed formatting rules for italicizing album titles and enclosing song titles in quotation marks. Consistent application of these formatting conventions enhances the readability and professionalism of your citations.

Include Online Access Information : For songs accessed online, provide the URL of the source along with the citation. This practice enables readers to access the referenced song directly, fostering transparency and accessibility.

Track Numbers and Larger Works : When citing songs from a specific track within an album, include the track number to facilitate easy identification. Similarly, if the song is part of a larger work, such as a musical or opera, italicize and list the title of the larger work before the song title.

Adhere to Style Guide Requirements : Familiarize yourself with the specific requirements of the style guide you are using, whether it is MLA, APA, Chicago Style, Harvard Style, or another format. Each style guide has distinct rules for citing songs, and adherence to these guidelines is crucial for accuracy.

Maintain Consistency : Ensure that your citations follow a consistent format throughout your work. Consistency in citing songs contributes to the overall professionalism and coherence of your writing.

By incorporating these tips into your citation practices, you can effectively and accurately cite songs in various contexts, contributing to the integrity and authenticity of your academic, professional, and creative endeavors. Remember, meticulous attention to detail and adherence to formatting guidelines are essential for citing songs with precision and credibility.

In conclusion, the practice of citing songs is a fundamental aspect of academic, professional, and creative writing, serving as a means of acknowledging the creative contributions of musicians, songwriters, and performers. By following the specific guidelines for citing songs in MLA, APA, Chicago Style, and Harvard Style, writers can ensure the accurate and comprehensive documentation of musical references, thereby upholding the integrity and authenticity of their work.

Citing songs is important not only for establishing credibility and supporting arguments with authoritative references but also for respecting intellectual property rights and fostering a culture of transparency and accountability. Whether analyzing the cultural impact of music, incorporating song lyrics into literary works, or discussing musical trends in journalism, accurate citation of songs adds depth and authenticity to scholarly and creative discussions.

The tips provided for citing songs accurately offer practical guidance for verifying song information, differentiating song versions, using formatting conventions, and maintaining consistency in citation practices. By consulting official sources, differentiating song versions, and including online access information, writers can enhance the precision and accessibility of their citations, contributing to the overall professionalism and coherence of their writing.

Mastering the art of citing songs empowers writers to seamlessly integrate musical references into their work while demonstrating scholarly rigor and respect for the creative contributions of songwriters and performers. As music continues to be a powerful and influential form of expression, the need to cite songs accurately becomes increasingly important, contributing to the preservation of musical heritage and the celebration of artistic creativity.

In essence, the comprehensive guide on citing songs presented in this article equips writers with the knowledge and skills to accurately acknowledge the musical compositions and lyrical content that enrich their work. By recognizing the significance of citing songs, individuals demonstrate a commitment to integrity, authenticity, and the preservation of musical heritage, ensuring that the voices and melodies that inspire and inform their writing are duly recognized and celebrated.

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How do you cite a song at the start of a chapter?

I've found that songs draw some people into something, so I was wondering how to cite a few lines from a song to draw someone in without making it look horrible.

Somehow we have forgotten how to make a house a home - Big and Rich “That's why I pray”

• Nobody seems to be giving direction on if I'm citing it the right way, or not. –  The Courtship Guy Jan 2, 2021 at 2:41
• 1 I think yes, the citing is correct. –  srishtigarg Jan 2, 2021 at 9:26

3 Answers 3

The ways I've seen it done seem to normally be pretty much the same. You'll put your song in the middle of the page or on the left, with the text arranged left. At the bottom, you'll put the author or writer below but arranged right, maybe with a line afterwards.

• thanks, since it could be songs, quotes, et al –  The Courtship Guy Jan 4, 2021 at 12:47

You do it the way you would use any quotation at the start of a chapter. Reduce the margins on both side so it sits in the middle of the page by itself and add a couple of line breaks after it. Some people add italics for the author. The title of the work and the author are usually right-justified.

• is the citation correct, not the layout? –  The Courtship Guy Dec 31, 2020 at 19:15
• I would put the name of the song first. –  S. Mitchell Jan 1, 2021 at 21:12

It is a strange way, but I read a few books with Chapter names very different.

You could maybe use that technique, in the sense that your chapter names could be the names of the songs you would want to quote.

Just a limitation, you would have to have songs for each of your chapters then, and also that over time, when your books grows old, the songs will also get old, and might not attract the audience as you would intend them to.

• 1 it's like getting your mind on the idea, and it's like doing quotes, and video clips also –  The Courtship Guy Jan 2, 2021 at 2:38

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Frequently asked questions

Do i need to give details about the album in an mla song citation.

In an MLA song citation , you need to give some sort of container to indicate how you accessed the song. If this is a physical or downloaded album, the Works Cited entry should list the album name, distributor, year, and format.

However, if you listened to the song on a streaming service, you can just list the site as a container, including a URL. In this case, including the album details is optional; you may add this information if it is relevant to your discussion or if it will help the reader access the song.

Frequently asked questions: MLA Style

In MLA style , footnotes or endnotes can be used to provide additional information that would interrupt the flow of your text.

This can be further examples or developments of ideas you only briefly discuss in the text. You can also use notes to provide additional sources or explain your citation practice.

You don’t have to use any notes at all; only use them to provide relevant information that complements your arguments or helps the reader to understand them.

No, you should use parenthetical MLA in-text citations to cite sources. Footnotes or endnotes can be used to add extra information that doesn’t fit into your main text, but they’re not needed for citations.

If you need to cite a lot of sources at the same point in the text, though, placing these citations in a note can be a good way to avoid cluttering your text.

According to MLA format guidelines, the Works Cited page(s) should look like this:

• Running head containing your surname and the page number.
• The title, Works Cited, centered and in plain text.
• List of sources alphabetized by the author’s surname.
• Left-aligned.
• Double-spaced.
• 1-inch margins.
• Hanging indent applied to all entries.

The MLA Works Cited lists every source that you cited in your paper. Each entry contains the author , title , and publication details of the source.

No, in an MLA annotated bibliography , you can write short phrases instead of full sentences to keep your annotations concise. You can still choose to use full sentences instead, though.

Use full sentences in your annotations if your instructor requires you to, and always use full sentences in the main text of your paper .

If you’re working on a group project and therefore need to list multiple authors for your paper , MLA recommends against including a normal header . Instead, create a separate title page .

On the title page, list each author on a separate line, followed by the other usual information from the header: Instructor, course name and number, and submission date. Then write the title halfway down the page, centered, and start the text of the paper itself on the next page.

Usually, no title page is needed in an MLA paper . A header is generally included at the top of the first page instead. The exceptions are when:

• Your instructor requires one, or
• Your paper is a group project

In those cases, you should use a title page instead of a header, listing the same information but on a separate page.

When an online source (e.g. web page , blog post) doesn’t list a publication date , you should instead list an access date .

Unlike a publication date, this appears at the end of your MLA Works Cited entry, after the URL, e.g. “A Complete Guide to MLA Style.” Scribbr , www.scribbr.com/category/mla/. Accessed 28 Mar. 2021 .

For offline sources with no publication date shown, don’t use an access date—just leave out the date.

The level of detail you provide in a publication date in your Works Cited list depends on the type of source and the information available. Generally, follow the lead of the source—if it gives the full date, give the full date; if it gives just the year, so should you.

Books usually list the year, whereas web pages tend to give a full date. For journal articles , give the year, month and year, or season and year, depending on what information is available. Check our citation examples if you’re unsure about a particular source type.

In an MLA Works Cited list , the names of months with five or more letters are abbreviated to the first three letters, followed by a period. For example, abbreviate Feb., Mar., Apr., but not June, July.

In the main text, month names should never be abbreviated.

In your MLA Works Cited list , dates are always written in day-month-year order, with the month abbreviated if it’s five or more letters long, e.g. 5 Mar. 2018.

In the main text, you’re free to use either day-month-year or month-day-year order, as long as you use one or the other consistently. Don’t abbreviate months in the main text, and use numerals for dates, e.g. 5 March 2018 or March 5, 2018.

In most standard dictionaries , no author is given for either the overall dictionary or the individual entries, so no author should be listed in your MLA citations.

Instead, start your Works Cited entry and your MLA in-text citation with the title of the entry you’re citing (i.e. the word that’s being defined), in quotation marks.

If you cite a specialist dictionary that does list an author and/or overall editor, these should be listed in the same way as they would for other citations of books or book chapters .

Some source types, such as books and journal articles , may contain footnotes (or endnotes) with additional information. The following rules apply when citing information from a note in an MLA in-text citation :

• To cite information from a single numbered note, write “n” after the page number, and then write the note number, e.g. (Smith 105n2)
• To cite information from multiple numbered notes, write “nn” and include a range, e.g. (Smith 77nn1–2)
• To cite information from an unnumbered note, write “un” after the page number, with a space in between, e.g. (Jones 250 un)

If you cite multiple Shakespeare plays throughout your paper, the MLA in-text citation begins with an abbreviated version of the title (as shown here ), e.g. ( Oth. 1.2.4). Each play should have its own  Works Cited entry (even if they all come from the same collection).

If you cite only one Shakespeare play in your paper, you should include a Works Cited entry for that play, and your in-text citations should start with the author’s name , e.g. (Shakespeare 1.1.4).

No, do not use page numbers in your MLA in-text citations of Shakespeare plays . Instead, specify the act, scene, and line numbers of the quoted material, separated by periods, e.g. (Shakespeare 3.2.20–25).

This makes it easier for the reader to find the relevant passage in any edition of the text.

When an article (e.g. in a newspaper ) appears on non-consecutive pages (e.g. starting on page 1 and continuing on page 6), you should use “pp.” in your Works Cited entry, since it’s on multiple pages, but MLA recommends just listing the first page followed by a plus sign, e.g. pp. 1+.

In an MLA style Works Cited entry for a newspaper , you can cite a local newspaper in the same way as you would a national one, except that you may have to add the name of the city in square brackets to clarify what newspaper you mean, e.g. The Gazette [Montreal].

Do not add the city name in brackets if it’s already part of the newspaper’s name, e.g. Dallas Observer .

MLA doesn’t require you to list an author for a TV show . If your citation doesn’t focus on a particular contributor, just start your Works Cited entry with the title of the episode or series, and use this (shortened if necessary) in your MLA in-text citation .

If you focus on a particular contributor (e.g. the writer or director, a particular actor), you can list them in the author position , along with a label identifying their role.

It’s standard to list the podcast’s host in the author position , accompanied by the label “host,” in an MLA Works Cited entry. It’s sometimes more appropriate to use the label “narrator,” when the podcast just tells a story without any guests.

If your citation of the podcast focuses more on the contribution of someone else (e.g. a guest, the producer), they can be listed in the author position instead, with an appropriate label.

MLA recommends citing the original source wherever possible, rather than the source in which it is quoted or reproduced.

If this isn’t possible, cite the secondary source and use “qtd. in” (quoted in) in your MLA in-text citation . For example: (qtd. in Smith 233)

If a source is reproduced in full within another source (e.g. an image within a PowerPoint  or a poem in an article ), give details of the original source first, then include details of the secondary source as a container. For example:

When you want to cite a PowerPoint or lecture notes from a lecture you viewed in person in MLA , check whether they can also be accessed online ; if so, this is the best version to cite, as it allows the reader to access the source.

If the material is not available online, use the details of where and when the presentation took place.

When citing a song in MLA style , the author is usually the main artist or group that released the song.

However, if your discussion focuses on the contributions of a specific performer, e.g. a guitarist or singer, you may list them as author, even if they are not the main artist. If you’re discussing the lyrics or composition, you may cite the songwriter or composer rather than a performer.

When a source has no title , this part of your MLA reference is replaced with a description of the source, in plain text (no italics or quotation marks, sentence-case capitalization).

Whenever you refer to an image created by someone else in your text, you should include a citation leading the reader to the image you’re discussing.

If you include the image directly in your text as a figure , the details of the source appear in the figure’s caption. If you don’t, just include an MLA in-text citation wherever you mention the image, and an entry in the Works Cited list giving full details.

In MLA Style , you should cite a specific chapter or work within a book in two situations:

• When each of the book’s chapters is written by a different author.
• When the book is a collection of self-contained works (such as poems , plays , or short stories ), even if they are all written by the same author.

If you cite multiple chapters or works from the same book, include a separate Works Cited entry for each chapter.

If a source has no author, start the MLA Works Cited entry with the source title . Use a shortened version of the title in your MLA in-text citation .

If a source has no page numbers, you can use an alternative locator (e.g. a chapter number, or a timestamp for a video or audio source) to identify the relevant passage in your in-text citation. If the source has no numbered divisions, cite only the author’s name (or the title).

If you already named the author or title in your sentence, and there is no locator available, you don’t need a parenthetical citation:

• Rajaram  argues that representations of migration are shaped by “cultural, political, and ideological interests.”
• The homepage of The Correspondent describes it as “a movement for radically different news.”

If a source has two authors, name both authors in your MLA in-text citation and Works Cited entry. If there are three or more authors, name only the first author, followed by et al.

You must include an MLA in-text citation every time you quote or paraphrase from a source (e.g. a book , movie , website , or article ).

MLA Style  is the second most used citation style (after APA ). It is mainly used by students and researchers in humanities fields such as literature, languages, and philosophy.

If information about your source is not available, you can either leave it out of the MLA citation or replace it with something else, depending on the type of information.

• No author : Start with the source title.
• No title : Provide a description of the source.
• No date : Provide an access date for online sources; omit for other sources.

A standard MLA Works Cited entry  is structured as follows:

Only include information that is available for and relevant to your source.

Yes. MLA style uses title case, which means that all principal words (nouns, pronouns , verbs, adjectives , adverbs , and some conjunctions ) are capitalized.

This applies to titles of sources as well as the title of, and subheadings in, your paper. Use MLA capitalization style even when the original source title uses different capitalization .

The title of an article is not italicized in MLA style , but placed in quotation marks. This applies to articles from journals , newspapers , websites , or any other publication. Use italics for the title of the source where the article was published. For example:

Use the same formatting in the Works Cited entry and when referring to the article in the text itself.

In MLA style , book titles appear in italics, with all major words capitalized. If there is a subtitle, separate it from the main title with a colon and a space (even if no colon appears in the source). For example:

The format is the same in the Works Cited list and in the text itself. However, when you mention the book title in the text, you don’t have to include the subtitle.

The title of a part of a book—such as a chapter, or a short story or poem in a collection—is not italicized, but instead placed in quotation marks.

In MLA style citations , format a DOI as a link, including “https://doi.org/” at the start and then the unique numerical code of the article.

DOIs are used mainly when citing journal articles in MLA .

The MLA Handbook is currently in its 9th edition , published in 2021.

This quick guide to MLA style  explains the latest guidelines for citing sources and formatting papers according to MLA.

The fastest and most accurate way to create MLA citations is by using Scribbr’s MLA Citation Generator .

Search by book title, page URL, or journal DOI to automatically generate flawless citations, or cite manually using the simple citation forms.

MLA recommends using 12-point Times New Roman , since it’s easy to read and installed on every computer. Other standard fonts such as Arial or Georgia are also acceptable. If in doubt, check with your supervisor which font you should be using.

To create a correctly formatted block quote in Microsoft Word, follow these steps:

• Hit Enter at the beginning and end of the quote.
• Highlight the quote and select the Layout menu.
• On the Indent tab, change the left indent to 0.5″.

Do not put quotation marks around the quote, and make sure to include an MLA in-text citation after the period at the end.

To format a block quote in MLA:

• Introduce the quote with a colon and set it on a new line.
• Indent the whole quote 0.5 inches from the left margin.
• Place the MLA in-text citation after the period at the end of the block quote.

Then continue your text on a new line (not indented).

In MLA style , if you quote more than four lines from a source, use MLA block quote formatting .

If you are quoting poetry , use block quote formatting for any quote longer than three lines.

An MLA in-text citation should always include the author’s last name, either in the introductory text or in parentheses after a quote .

If line numbers or page numbers are included in the original source, add these to the citation.

If you are discussing multiple poems by the same author, make sure to also mention the title of the poem (shortened if necessary). The title goes in quotation marks .

In the list of Works Cited , start with the poet’s name and the poem’s title in quotation marks. The rest of the citation depends on where the poem was published.

If you read the poem in a book or anthology, follow the format of an MLA book chapter citation . If you accessed the poem online, follow the format of an MLA website citation .

Only use line numbers in an MLA in-text citation if the lines are numbered in the original source. If so, write “lines” in the first citation of the poem , and only the numbers in subsequent citations.

If there are no line numbers in the source, you can use page numbers instead. If the poem appears on only one page of a book (or on a website ), don’t include a number in the citation.

To quote poetry in MLA style , introduce the quote and use quotation marks as you would for any other source quotation .

If the quote includes line breaks, mark these using a forward slash with a space on either side. Use two slashes to indicate a stanza break.

If the quote is longer than three lines, set them off from the main text as an MLA block quote . Reproduce the line breaks, punctuation, and formatting of the original.

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You can find all the citation styles and locales used in the Scribbr Citation Generator in our publicly accessible repository on Github .

How to Cite a Song in the Academic Papers

Merely all types of essays require the search of information. It is needed to support your main argument and develop the ideas and concepts. At times, you are to quote a certain song. Therefore, you should find out how to cite a song in MLA, as well as how to cite a song in APA format. You should know both formats because they have some differences.

This guide gives close attention to MLA style and reveals the basic guidelines about how to cite a song in text correctly. Citations are needed to avoid plagiarizing. You have no right to simply cut out definite words, thoughts, conclusions of other people and display them as if they are yours. Such violation is disallowed. This rule is used for all cases, and songs are no exception.

Though it rarely happens, some students use the lyrics of different songs to support their main point and draw a certain conclusion. Consequently, you are obliged to know how to cite correctly. In fact, there is nothing complicated when it comes to a song quotation. Nonetheless, a strict order should be kept. While making the in-text citations, you should mention the following essentials:

• Author(s) of the lyrics
• The used lyrics
• Title of the song you use
• Album title
• The way a song was recorded
• The label of the recording company
• Year of release
• URL of the website where you found the lyrics

Memorize the mentioned above points. They are required to make the correct citations. If you miss any of them, you will make a mistake which leads to the loss of important grades.

How to Cite a Song in Details

After you memorize the basics of song citing, you should learn more details. It is important to clearly understand how to fulfill every step. We are going to cast more light on this essential matter.

When you quote definite lyrics, you should begin with the name of the author. Give him/her first and last names. Afterward, mention exact words you have used. You should give song title in quotations. Your next step is to provide the album from which the chosen derives.

You should likewise know that it’s required to describe the way your song was recorded. Many students forget about this crucial necessity. This might be CD, MP3, or cassette. Accordingly, you are likewise obliged to specify the label of the company which recorded this music piece. Finally, you are to introduce the website where you have found the song and its lyrics. In this event, you should indicate the name, time when you accessed this data and the entire URL of the resource.

As you can see, there is nothing complicated about making song quotations. Everything you need is commonly given on the website where you get the lyrics of the chosen song. You only should settle the things properly.

Get Urgent Assistance at Our Resource

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Quoting Song Lyrics in Writing: A Guide for Writers

When it comes to writing, incorporating song lyrics can add depth and emotion to your work. Whether you’re working on a novel, a poem, or a personal essay, quoting song lyrics can help convey a message or set the mood. However, it’s important to properly quote song lyrics to avoid any copyright issues and give credit to the original artist.

First and foremost, it’s crucial to understand that song lyrics are protected under copyright law. That means you cannot simply use someone else’s lyrics without permission. To properly quote song lyrics, you need to obtain permission from the copyright owner or use lyrics that are in the public domain. This ensures that you’re respecting the artist’s rights and avoiding any legal complications.

Once you have obtained permission or selected lyrics from the public domain, it’s time to include them in your writing. To do so, use quotation marks around the lyrics to clearly indicate that they are not your original words. Additionally, it’s important to properly attribute the lyrics to the original artist. This can be done by including the artist’s name, the song title, and possibly the album name or release year.

When quoting song lyrics, it’s recommended to use the

tag to distinguish the lyrics from the rest of your text. This helps to visually separate the quoted lyrics and gives them importance and prominence within your writing. Additionally, you can use the or tags within the quoted lyrics to emphasize certain words or phrases, just as the artist intended.

Table of Contents

The Importance of Properly Quoting Song Lyrics

Quoting song lyrics in your writing can add depth and context to your work. Whether you are writing an essay, a poem, or a novel, including lyrics from a song can help convey a particular mood, theme, or message to your readers. However, it is crucial to properly quote song lyrics to avoid plagiarism and respect copyright laws.

1. Avoid plagiarism:

Using someone else’s words without proper citation is considered plagiarism and can have serious consequences. By properly quoting song lyrics, you are ensuring that you are giving credit to the original songwriter and respecting their intellectual property rights. This not only protects you legally but also shows your integrity as a writer.

2. Provide context:

Quoting song lyrics can provide valuable context and enhance the meaning of your writing. Whether you are analyzing the lyrics, using them to support your argument, or simply adding artistic flair to your work, properly quoting the lyrics allows your readers to understand the significance of the chosen lines.

3. Respect copyright laws:

Song lyrics are protected by copyright laws, and using them without permission can lead to legal issues. When quoting song lyrics, it is important to consider the fair use policy. Typically, quoting a few lines of a song for educational, critical, or transformative purposes is considered fair use. However, it is recommended to seek permission from the songwriter or copyright holder if you plan on using substantial portions of lyrics or if you are using them for commercial purposes.

4. Format the quotes correctly:

Properly formatting the quotes is essential for clarity and readability. Use quotation marks to indicate the beginning and end of the lyrics. If the quote exceeds four lines, consider formatting it as a block quote by indenting it and using a smaller font size. Additionally, always provide the songwriter’s name, the song title, and the album or year of release to give proper credit.

5. Be mindful of the tone and message:

When quoting song lyrics, pay attention to the tone and message conveyed by the lyrics. Make sure that the chosen lines align with the overall message and theme of your writing. By selecting lyrics that resonate with your work, you can create a stronger and more cohesive piece.

Remember, properly quoting song lyrics is not only a matter of legal and ethical responsibility but also an opportunity to enhance your writing and engage your readers on a deeper level. So next time you want to include song lyrics in your work, follow these guidelines to ensure you do it properly and effectively.

Fair Use and Copyright Laws

What is fair use?

Fair use is a legal doctrine that allows limited use of copyrighted material without the need to obtain permission from the copyright owner. It is based on the principle that some uses of copyrighted material may be considered fair, such as for commentary, criticism, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, or research.

How does fair use apply to song lyrics?

When it comes to quoting song lyrics in your writing, fair use can be a tricky area. While the inclusion of a few lines of a song in your work may be deemed fair use, extensive quoting or reproducing the entire song could potentially infringe on the copyright owner’s rights. It is important to understand that fair use is a subjective concept and different jurisdictions may have different interpretations of what constitutes fair use.

Factors to consider for fair use:

• The purpose and character of the use: If your use of the song lyrics is transformative, meaning it adds new meaning or commentary to the original material, it is more likely to be considered fair use. Non-commercial and educational use generally have stronger arguments for fair use.
• The nature of the copyrighted work: Factors such as whether the song lyrics are primarily creative or factual in nature will be considered. Creative works are often given stronger copyright protection.
• The amount and substantiality of the portion used: Using a small portion of a song’s lyrics is more likely to be considered fair use, especially if it is not the most important part of the song.
• The effect of the use upon the potential market for the copyrighted work: If your use of the song lyrics would harm the market value or potential licensing opportunities for the original work, it is less likely to be considered fair use.

Copyright laws and permissions:

If your use of song lyrics does not fall under fair use, you generally need to seek permission from the copyright owner. This can involve contacting the publisher, record label, or artist directly to request a license for the use of the lyrics. Keep in mind that obtaining permission may involve certain fees or restrictions.

Conclusion:

When quoting song lyrics in your writing, it is important to be aware of fair use and copyright laws. While fair use can provide some flexibility for using copyrighted material, it is essential to consider the purpose, nature, amount, and effect of the use. If in doubt, seeking permission from the copyright owner is the safest way to ensure you are not infringing on their rights.

When to Use Quotation Marks

Quotation marks are used to indicate direct quotations or the titles of shorter works such as songs. Here are a few rules to follow when using quotation marks:

• Direct Quotations: When quoting song lyrics directly in your writing, always enclose the lyrics in quotation marks. For example: “I’ve got a feeling, that tonight’s gonna be a good night” (The Black Eyed Peas, “I Gotta Feeling”).
• Titles of Songs: When referring to the title of a song, use quotation marks around the title. For example: I love the song “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen.
• Titles of Albums: When referring to the title of an album, italicize or underline the title. For example: My favorite album is Thriller by Michael Jackson.
• Song Verse or Chorus: If you are referencing a specific verse or chorus of a song, enclose it in quotation marks. For example: In the chorus of “Sorry” by Justin Bieber, he sings, “Is it too late now to say sorry?”
• Multiple Song References: If you are referencing multiple songs in your writing, it is helpful to use italics or underline for one set of titles and quotation marks for the other set of titles. This helps to differentiate between the titles. For example: I really enjoyed the songs “Shape of You” by Ed Sheeran and Love Yourself by Justin Bieber.

Note that different style guides may have slightly different rules for using quotation marks, so it’s always a good idea to consult the style guide specified by your instructor or publisher for specific guidelines.

How to Format Song Lyrics

Formatting song lyrics correctly is essential for maintaining clarity in your writing. Here are some tips to help you format song lyrics:

• Use quotation marks: Enclose the lyrics of the song in double quotation marks (” “). This helps to differentiate the lyrics from the rest of the text and indicates that it is a direct quote.
• Italicize the lyrics: Italicize the lyrics within the quotation marks. This emphasizes that the words are taken from a song and not your own writing. On a typewriter or in handwritten text where italics aren’t possible, underline the lyrics instead.
• Separate verses and choruses: Use line breaks to separate each verse or chorus of the song. This helps to visually distinguish the different sections of the lyrics.
• Capitalization: Follow the original capitalization of the lyrics unless you are incorporating them into a sentence, in which case use standard capitalization rules.
• Punctuation: Include any punctuation found in the original lyrics. However, if the lyrics are in the middle of a sentence, follow the punctuation rules of your own sentence.
• Quoting multiple lines: If you are quoting multiple lines of lyrics, use a line indentation or a separate paragraph for each line. This makes it easier for the reader to follow along.
• Credit the songwriter and performer: After quoting the lyrics, include the name of the songwriter(s) and the performer/band. This gives proper credit to the creators of the song.
• Use a consistent format: Ensure that you maintain a consistent format throughout your writing when quoting song lyrics. This helps to create a professional and organized appearance.

By following these guidelines, you can properly format song lyrics in your writing and avoid any confusion or plagiarism issues. Remember to always give credit to the original songwriter and performer when using their lyrics in your work.

Citing the Source of the Lyrics

When quoting song lyrics in your writing, it is important to properly cite the source of the lyrics. This helps to give credit to the original artist and songwriter, and it also allows readers to easily find the full lyrics if they are interested.

There are a few different ways you can cite the source of the lyrics. Here are some common methods:

• Directly in the text: You can simply mention the artist and the song in the body of your writing, followed by the specific lyrics you are quoting. For example: “ In the song “Blank Space” by Taylor Swift, she sings “Got a long list of ex-lovers.” “
• In a footnote: If you prefer to keep the main text clean and uncluttered, you can include a footnote with the citation. The footnote should include the artist, the song title, and the specific lyrics you are quoting. For example: “ ^ Taylor Swift, “Blank Space,” lyrics from “1989” album. “
• In a table: If you are writing a more formal or academic piece, you may want to include a table with a list of all the song lyrics you are quoting. The table should include columns for the artist, the song title, and the specific lyrics. For example:

Remember to check the specific guidelines of the style guide or formatting style you are using for your writing, as different styles may have different requirements for citing song lyrics.

By properly citing the source of the lyrics, you can ensure that you are giving credit where credit is due and providing your readers with the necessary information to find the full lyrics if they are interested.

Avoiding Plagiarism

Plagiarism is a serious offense in academic and professional writing. It is important to give credit to the original source when quoting song lyrics or any other material in your writing. Here are some tips to help you avoid plagiarism:

• Use quotation marks : When including song lyrics in your writing, always use quotation marks to indicate that it is a direct quote from another source. This clearly indicates that the words are not your own and gives credit to the original artist or songwriter.
• Cite the source : Along with using quotation marks, it is important to include a proper citation to acknowledge the source. This should include the artist, song title, album, and release date. If you are using a lyric website, make sure to double-check the accuracy of the information.
• Paraphrase : Instead of quoting the entire song lyric, you can paraphrase it in your own words. This involves rephrasing the lyrics while maintaining the original meaning. However, be careful not to change the intended message or tone of the lyrics.
• Seek permission : If you plan on using song lyrics in a professional setting, such as a book or article, it is advisable to seek permission from the copyright holder. This will ensure that you have legal permission to use the lyrics and avoid any potential legal issues.

Remember, always be mindful of copyright laws and ethical guidelines when using song lyrics or any other material in your writing. By properly crediting the original source, you can avoid plagiarism and showcase your integrity as a writer.

Tips for Incorporating Song Lyrics into Your Writing

When using song lyrics in your writing, it’s important to do so properly and respectfully. Here are some tips to help you incorporate song lyrics effectively:

Get permission: Before using song lyrics, make sure you have the necessary permissions. This generally means seeking permission from the copyright holder, which is usually the songwriter or music publisher. Keep in mind that some artists may be more protective of their work than others, so it’s always best to ask for permission.

Use quotation marks: When you include song lyrics in your writing, be sure to use quotation marks to indicate that the words are taken directly from a song. This helps to distinguish the lyrics from your own writing and gives credit to the original artist.

Credit the artist: Along with using quotation marks, provide proper credit to the artist by including their name either before or after the lyrics. You can do this by mentioning the artist in the sentence or using a parenthetical citation.

Consider the context: When incorporating song lyrics into your writing, consider the context in which they will be used. Make sure the lyrics are relevant and add value to your overall message or story. Avoid using lyrics simply for the sake of quoting a popular song.

Keep it brief: When quoting song lyrics, it’s generally best to keep it brief. Select a few lines or a short verse that best supports your point or adds depth to your writing. Using too many lyrics can overwhelm your readers and distract them from your main message.

Provide analysis: After quoting song lyrics, it can be helpful to provide some analysis or interpretation. This allows you to connect the lyrics to your own ideas or argument and demonstrate a deeper understanding of the song’s meaning.

Use proper citation format: If you are writing an academic or formal piece, make sure to follow the appropriate citation format for your reference list or bibliography. Include all relevant information, such as the song title, artist, album, and year of release.

Incorporating song lyrics into your writing can be a powerful way to evoke emotion, add context, or emphasize a point. Just make sure to do so legally, responsibly, and with proper attribution to the original artist.

Final Thoughts on Quoting Song Lyrics

Quoting song lyrics in your writing can be a great way to enhance your work and add depth and meaning to your words. However, it’s important to do so properly to avoid any copyright issues or misunderstandings.

When quoting song lyrics, always make sure to:

• Credit the artist: Include the name of the artist or band who wrote and performed the song. This shows respect for their work and helps readers find the original source.
• Provide accurate lyrics: Double-check the lyrics you are quoting to ensure they are correct. Misquoting lyrics can lead to confusion and may misrepresent the artist’s intended message.
• Use quotation marks: Enclose the song lyrics in quotation marks to indicate that they are borrowed words from someone else’s work.
• Cite the source: Include the title of the song, the album it is from (if applicable), and the year it was released. This information helps readers locate the song if they are interested in listening to it.

It’s also important to consider the length of the lyrics you are quoting. Quoting a few lines or a chorus is generally acceptable, but quoting an entire song can be excessive and may infringe on copyright laws. Use your judgment and only quote what is necessary to support your writing.

Remember, quoting song lyrics should enhance your writing, not overshadow it. The words you choose to include should add depth, meaning, or evidence to your own ideas and arguments. Use song lyrics strategically and sparingly to make the most impact.

Furthermore, it’s always a good idea to seek permission from the copyright holder if you plan to use song lyrics in a commercial project or if you are unsure about the fair use of copyrighted materials.

By following these guidelines, you can properly quote song lyrics in your writing and ensure that you are respecting the original artist’s work while adding value to your own.

Question and answer:

Why is it important to properly quote song lyrics in writing.

Properly quoting song lyrics in your writing is important for several reasons. Firstly, it shows respect for the original artist and their work. Secondly, it helps avoid any potential legal issues related to copyright infringement. Additionally, using accurate quotes adds credibility to your writing and allows readers to easily identify the specific song and artist being referenced.

What are the basic rules for quoting song lyrics in writing?

When quoting song lyrics in your writing, there are a few basic rules to follow. First, make sure to use quotation marks around the lyrics to indicate that they are a direct quote. Second, include the song title in italics or underlined, along with the name of the artist or band. Finally, provide a citation or reference to the source of the lyrics, either in a footnote or within your bibliography.

Can I quote song lyrics without permission from the artist?

Generally, it is recommended to obtain permission from the artist or copyright holder before quoting song lyrics in your writing. While some uses may fall under fair use, it is not guaranteed and could still result in legal issues. If you are unsure, it is best to seek permission or consider using alternative ways to reference the lyrics, such as paraphrasing or summarizing.

What should I do if I cannot find the original songwriter or copyright holder of a song?

If you are unable to find the original songwriter or copyright holder of a song, it’s important to still give credit to the artist whose version you are quoting. Include the artist’s name in your citation or reference, along with any other relevant information you have about the song. If possible, try reaching out to the artist or their management team for assistance in identifying the copyright holder.

Can I use song lyrics in my book without infringing copyright?

Using song lyrics in a book without infringing copyright can be tricky. It is generally safer to avoid direct quotations of song lyrics and instead focus on paraphrasing or summarizing the meaning of the lyrics. If you still want to include song lyrics, seek permission from the copyright holder or consider hiring a lawyer to help you navigate the complexities of copyright law.

Do I need to include all the lyrics of a song when quoting in my writing?

No, you do not need to include all the lyrics of a song when quoting in your writing. Select the specific lines or phrases that are most relevant to your discussion or analysis. Make sure to use ellipses (…) to indicate any omitted lyrics within your quotation. It is also important to maintain the original meaning and context of the lyrics when quoting in your writing.

How do I properly cite song lyrics in APA format?

To properly cite song lyrics in APA format, follow this example: Last name, First initial. (Year). Song title (written by Songwriter’s First initial. Last name). [Recorded by Performer’s First initial. Last name]. On Album title. City, State abbreviation: Label. For example: Lennon, J. (1971). Imagine (written by J. Lennon). [Recorded by J. Lennon]. On Imagine. London, England: Apple Records.

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How to Quote Song Lyrics in an Essay: Expert Guide With Examples

April 1, 2023

Music can move, inspire, and help us express emotions we struggle to understand. No wonder song lyrics are often incorporated into essay writing. You might quote a song’s lyrics because the writer says something articulately or you want to emphasize a particular point. However, quoting song lyrics in an essay can sometimes be tricky, as legal and ethical considerations exist. Let’s explore the ins and outs of quoting music lyrics, in-text citations, and placing lyrics inside quotation marks.

Quoting Lyrics and Placing In-Text Citations

Quotations and in-text citations are essential to any academic work, such as essay writing that uses sources, including song lyrics. In-text citations showing you are using information from a specific source within your essay help your reader locate the source if they want to read more. Good writers like those at EssayUSA always provide in-text citations of sources by adhering to the respective citation style rules. Citation styles include:

So how do you incorporate song lyrics into your essay writing? When quoting music lyrics, use proper citations to give credit to the source. The citation should include the songwriter, the song title, the performer (if different from the songwriter), the album title (if applicable), and the publication date. You should place the citation within parentheses immediately after the quote, before the end punctuation. For example, if you were quoting the chorus of the song “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen, your in-text citation might look like this:

“Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy?” (Queen, “Bohemian Rhapsody”)

If you’re quoting an entire song, format the lyrics as a block quotation. Remove the lyrics from the rest of your text by indenting them and omitting quotation marks. You should also include citations at the end of the block quotation.

When citing music lyrics in Modern Language Association format, write the artists’ names in parentheses, such as (Lennon), then the ending punctuation. If you are using a copyrighted song lyric in your essay, you may need permission from the copyright holder. It is especially the case if you plan to use a substantial portion of the lyrics or if your use will impact the commercial value of the song.

Proper Way to Quote Songs

You should format the lyrics as a block quotation when quoting an entire song in your essay. Set the lyrics off from the rest of your text by indenting them and omitting quotation marks. The lyrics are indented and formatted as a separate paragraph from the surrounding text. Including a citation at the end of the block, a quotation is essential, including all the writer’s details and the publication date.

Be as accurate as experts at EssayUSA review when citing music lyrics. Check the official lyrics from a reputable source, such as the songwriter’s website or a licensed lyrics database. You should be careful when citing music lyrics translated into another language, as the translation may not accurately convey the original meaning or wording of the lyrics.

Inaccurate quotes may affect your essay’s credibility and change the interpretation of the song and its message. Therefore, it’s crucial to double-check the lyrics and ensure that they are accurate before including them in your essay.

How to Put Song Lyrics in References

When quoting song lyrics in references, the citation should follow the same format as a standard citation for a musical recording. The citation should include the songwriter, the song title, the performer (if different from the songwriter), the album title, the record label, and the year of release. Here’s an example of how to cite a song in your references in APA:

Queen. (1977). We Are the Champions. On News of the World. EMI.

In this example, “Queen” is the songwriter and performer, “We Are the Champions” is the song title, “News of the World” is the album title, “EMI” is the record label, and 1977 is the year of release.

Note that the citation style may vary depending on the format of the musical recording. For example, if you’re referencing a music video or a live performance, you may need to include additional information, such as the director or the venue. However, the sound recording medium used doesn’t affect the style.

To cite in Modern Language Association format, write the artist’s name in parentheses, such as (Queen), then the ending punctuation. Noteworthy, don’t quote song lyrics from unofficial sources or fan websites, as they may contain inaccuracies.

Should You Italicize or Use Quotation Marks?

Using the correct formatting to indicate that you’re quoting a piece of creative work is essential. The two most common ways to format music lyrics in MLA style are putting lyrics inside quotation marks or italicizing them, and each style serves a specific purpose.

In Modern Language Association format, quotation marks show a direct quote of a short phrase or a few lines of lyrics. So, for example, if you want to quote the opening lines of “Imagine” by John Lennon, you would put the lyrics inside quotation marks: “Imagine there’s no heaven, it’s easy if you try.”

In contrast, italics indicate the title of a complete work, such as albums or song titles. So, for example, if you want to reference the song “Imagine” using MLA style, you would use italics when writing the title.

Using the correct formatting is vital not only for clarity but also for consistency. It’s essential to follow the formatting style consistently throughout your essay to avoid confusing your readers.

In some citation formats, such as MLA style, it is recommended to use italics for the title of a complete work while using quotation marks for a direct quote of a short phrase or a few lines of lyrics. However, checking your citation style guide for specific guidelines for formatting song lyrics is always good.

Consider the Overall Impact

When quoting music lyrics in an essay, consider the overall impact the lyrics will have on your readers regardless of the sound recording medium. In addition, people often interpret music lyrics differently, depending on their experiences and perspectives. Thus, ensure you use the lyrics appropriately and with sensitivity.

For example, if you’re citing music lyrics to illustrate a point or argument in your essay, ensure they’re relevant and add value to your idea. Be mindful of the tone of the lyrics and ensure that they are appropriate for the style and purpose of your essay.

Additionally, consider the message and themes of the song. Some songs may contain explicit language or controversial themes that could be inappropriate or offensive to some readers. Consider your readers’ sensitivity in such cases and ask yourself if the song lyrics are necessary to your argument or if you could use an alternative example.

Singing Off

Quoting a small portion of a song for educational purposes, such as in an academic essay, is acceptable. However, it is imperative to consider the context in which the lyrics are being used. Be mindful of the message and themes of the song, and ensure you use the lyrics respectfully and appropriately.

Doesn’t matter which sound recording medium was used; always give credit where credit is due. Correctly citing your sources, including song lyrics, is crucial to maintaining academic integrity and preventing plagiarism. Follow the citation style guidelines recommended by your professor or institution and use reputable sources for your lyrics.

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Home / Blog / Mastering the Art of How to Quote a Song in an Essay

Mastering the Art of How to Quote a Song in an Essay

Jennifer Livingstone

Introduction

In the realm of academic writing, the ability to effectively how to quote a song in an essay plays a pivotal role in enriching your text, offering depth and a unique perspective to your argument. Whether it’s how to quote a song lyric in an essay to underscore a point, evoke an emotional response, or how to quote a song title in an essay to reference cultural context, the integration of musical elements can significantly enhance the reader’s engagement with your work. This guide aims to demystify the process, providing a clear set of guidelines for accurately citing songs within your essays. From the nuances of incorporating lyrics to the technicalities of referencing song titles, understanding these principles ensures that your academic writing not only adheres to the highest standards of scholarly integrity but also captures the essence of the musical pieces that influence and inspire your thoughts.

Understanding the Purpose of Quoting a Song

Quoting a song in an academic essay serves several key purposes, each enhancing the depth and breadth of your analysis. Learning how to quote a song in an essay allows you to bolster your arguments or themes with the emotional power or cultural resonance of music. When you master how to quote a song lyric in an essay, you tap into a rich vein of emotional and intellectual material, providing vivid evidence or illustrative examples that support your claims in a uniquely compelling way. Furthermore, understanding how to quote a song title in an essay goes beyond mere citation; it invites readers to consider the cultural or historical significance of the song, connecting your work to broader dialogues within society. This approach not only enriches your essay but also positions your arguments within a larger cultural and historical context, demonstrating the multifaceted impact of music on human experience.

Preparing to Quote a Song

Before incorporating a musical piece into your essay, it’s imperative to navigate the intricacies of how to quote a song in an essay with precision. The initial step involves meticulously identifying the relevant portion of the song that aligns with your discussion or argument. This selection process is critical as it ensures that the excerpt directly contributes to reinforcing your thesis or enriching your analysis.

Contextualizing the song for your audience is another vital aspect. When deliberating on how to quote a song lyric in an essay, providing background about the song or artist can offer valuable insight into its intended message or cultural impact, making your argument more persuasive. This context helps bridge any gaps between the reader’s knowledge and the significance of the lyrics within your essay’s framework.

Furthermore, the adherence to formatting guidelines, such as how to quote a song in an essay MLA, underscores the importance of academic integrity while lending credibility to your work. Whether you’re quoting a song lyric or citing its title, following the Modern Language Association (MLA) guidelines ensures that your citations are properly structured and recognized.

Ultimately, ensuring that each quote supports your essay’s thesis or main idea is paramount. This careful integration of how to quote song lyrics in an essay not only enhances your argumentation but also enriches the reader’s understanding, making your essay a more compelling and informative read.

Guidelines for Quoting a Song

When incorporating music into your writing, understanding how to quote a song in an essay MLA format is crucial for maintaining academic integrity. Begin by italicizing song titles and capitalizing the initial letters of each word. Artist names should be presented in their standard form. For in-text citations, include the artist’s last name and the song title in parentheses. For instance: (Bowie, “Space Oddity”).

In the Works Cited page, the entry should list the artist’s name, the title of the song in italics, the album name as the container, followed by publication details and the format. An example would look like: Bowie, David. “Space Oddity.” David Bowie, 1969, CD.

Adhering to these guidelines ensures that how to quote a song in an essay aligns with MLA standards, providing a clear and concise method for referencing songs in your scholarly work.

In APA format, quoting a song involves specific guidelines that ensure clarity and consistency across academic writing. When addressing how to quote a song in an essay or how to quote a song lyric in an essay using APA style, start by presenting song titles in sentence case, using quotation marks. Artist names should be written in full, without alterations.

For in-text citations, include the artist’s last name and the year of the song’s release in parentheses, for example: (Dylan, 1963). If quoting lyrics, also include a timestamp to indicate the exact part of the song, like (Dylan, 1963, 1:15).

In the References list, the entry should format as follows: Artist’s Last Name, First Initial. (Year). Song title [Song]. On Album Title. Publisher. For example: Dylan, B. (1963). Blowin’ in the Wind [Song]. On The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan. Columbia.

Adhering to these APA guidelines ensures your citations are properly formatted, offering a clear reference for readers to follow when you quote a song or its lyrics in an essay.

Chicago Style

When employing Chicago style in your essay, the approach to how to quote a song in an essay or how to quote a song lyric in an essay integrates a nuanced citation method. Song titles should be quoted, with artist names presented in their full form without alterations.

For footnote or endnote citations, you format them by including the artist’s name, song title in quotation marks, album name in italics, year of release, and format type. An example would look like: 1. Artist Name, “Song Title,” Album Name, Year, Format.

In the bibliography, the entry should be arranged as follows: Artist’s Last Name, First Name. “Song Title.” Album Name. Year. Format. For instance: Dylan, Bob. “Blowin’ in the Wind.” The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan. 1963. CD.

This Chicago style formatting ensures that quoting a song or its lyrics in your essay is clear, precise, and adheres to academic standards, providing a structured way for readers to locate the original source material.

Incorporating Song Quotes in Your Essay

Incorporating song quotes into your essay requires a seamless approach to ensure the text flows naturally. When how to quote a song in an essay or how to quote a song lyric in an essay, using signal phrases such as “According to [Artist Name]” or “[Artist Name] sings” can smoothly introduce the quote into your narrative. This method not only credits the original artist but also prepares the reader for the integration of external content.

After presenting the quote, it’s crucial to delve into its significance within your analysis. Discuss how the lyrics or the title enhance your argument, contribute to thematic development, or illuminate the subject matter from a unique perspective. This step is vital in demonstrating the relevance of the song quote to your essay’s broader discussion, thereby enriching the reader’s understanding and engagement with your work.

By thoughtfully integrating song quotes and articulating their importance, you bridge the gap between musical expression and academic analysis, offering a richer, more textured exploration of your essay’s themes.

Legal and Ethical Considerations

Navigating the legal and ethical landscape is paramount when how to quote a song in an essay or how to quote song lyrics in an essay. Understanding copyright laws is crucial to ensure that your use of song lyrics respects the intellectual property rights of artists and songwriters. When considering how to quote a song lyric in an essay or how to quote lyrics from a song in an essay, it’s important to adhere to the principles of fair use. This doctrine allows for the use of copyrighted material under certain conditions, such as for commentary, criticism, or educational purposes.

Best practices include quoting only the necessary amount of lyrics to support your argument or analysis and always providing appropriate attribution to the original artist. Furthermore, when quoting song lyrics or titles, ensure your usage falls within the guidelines of fair use by contributing original commentary or analysis that transforms the original work in a meaningful way.

By adhering to these legal and ethical considerations, you can ethically incorporate song quotes into your academic writing, enriching your essays while respecting the rights of creators.

In conclusion, mastering how to quote a song in an essay, how to quote a song lyric in an essay, how to quote song lyrics in an essay, and how to quote lyrics from a song in an essay is a valuable skill that enhances your academic writing. We’ve explored the importance of selecting relevant song portions, properly formatting citations across different styles, and the significance of integrating these quotes smoothly into your analysis. Remember, quoting songs not only enriches your essays by providing a diverse range of expressions and cultural references but also deepens the exploration of your topic.

I encourage you to utilize song quotes thoughtfully within your essays. This approach not only demonstrates your ability to engage with a variety of sources but also invites a deeper understanding and appreciation of the intricate ways in which music and text can intersect to reveal profound insights. Let the power of music amplify the impact of your words , and may your essays resonate with the richness and depth that song quotes can provide.

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• Learn How to Quote A Song Online

A song could be defined as a set of phrases or a poem that is set to a certain tune and meant to be sung. At its most basic structures, a song is referred to s a piece of music, usually with words commonly referred to as lyrics. Songs combine both vocals and a melody to create a rhythm that is able to convey their message to their listeners/ fans who in a classroom setting are required to learn how to quote songs.

All things considered, some of these song lyrics have very deep academic roots and pass on useful information using the song as the medium. Therefore we need to teach ourselves how to quote a song for the purpose of writing high-quality and acceptable format papers. Songs have been used by students worldwide as primary sources in their writing. By examining a song’s lyrics, you can have a deeper understanding of certain past and present events in the society.

Depending on the type of paper you intend to write about you may be drawn to gather information from many different sources, some of which may be songs. Therefore, the necessary skills are needed to know the best way on how to cite a song in an essay. A song may be the composition or a specific recording. The format for your citations and references will be somewhat different depending on the writing style you choose to use for formatting your paper. The most common styles of how to cite a song in a paper that is most commonly used by students include Harvard, Chicago, APA, and MLA.

In addition to the style of writing that you choose when quoting a song, the way you cite and reference a son will be different depending on how you access the information they possess and also how much of the song’s lyrics have influenced your paper. The question you should ask yourself is, “how do you quote a song?” For instance, if you quote a song from a compact disc (CD) you had the chance to listen to; in the body of your essay, you might just refer to the song by name. Afterward, you will be expected to create works cited or reference page for the song with information pertaining to the singer and the album it is a part of. When you want to learn how to quote a song in a paper the information needed includes;

• The performers or band’s full names
• The title of the album
• The publisher of the album and release date
• The URL of the song (where applicable)
• You can also include the format of the song (optional)

You can access our website for samples on how to quote song with the proper appearance of these forming styles in a body of text, and also you can find templates to assist you to format your own citations and reference/ works cited lists.

Importance of Knowing How to Quote A Song in an Essay

“How do you cite a song in a paper?” you ask. Using songs as your primary source of information in a particular area of study, for instance in a history assignment, could enable you to learn more about how to properly quote a song and what a particular culture was doing in terms of economic and social-cultural activities from the lyrics of the songs they sang at that particular point in time. Also, you can learn more about a people’s history and development through their cultures songs. Therefore, it is an added advantage to you to learn how to quote a song in an essay as early as possible.

Sometimes the use of songs as information sources and the importance of quoting a song in a paper is overlooked due to the listeners’ mistakenly labeling it as fictitious or untrue. Most of the time student writing assignments are not all about what happened but focus on the religious and political aspects of the theme of the song or any other aspects that preoccupied songwriters at that particular time the song was conceived. Also, song lyrics can fuel contemporary debated that have proved to be useful learning tools in any classroom.

Why you should Learn How to Quote A Song in MLA Writing Style

Song lyrics are known to have a deep significance in the lives of many people and as such quoting a song MLA should be a big deal. Songs are written to resonate with the actions, experiences and belief systems of its listeners. From time to time, you will find yourself looking to songs for inspiration to incorporate into your essays. Students all over the world are increasingly rushing to know how to quote a song in MLA, why is this? MLA writing style for formatting your bibliography has a standard for almost every type of information source, even songs.

By learning how to quote from a song and reference your papers in accordance with the stipulated styles of writing, you are playing it safe when it comes to cases of plagiarism, which is where you want to be. Plagiarism is a serious academic offense. Cases of plagiarism are often viewed as a breach of trust when you fail to give credit to the originator of information that has helped you complete your research, this is the case whether it is intentional or by accident. However, other than avoiding plagiarism, songs have other important roles in academic circles.

The Importance of Quoting a Song in an Essay

When you are quoting a song in an essay you have to consider from which medium the song lyrics have been sourced and what amount of information you have included in your body of text. And it is a regulation in most institutions of learning that any paper that sources information from the research, words, opinions or ideas of other authors has to have citations and corresponding reference and works cited pages. The importance of citing and referencing is outlined below;

• Acknowledge the contribution of others to your completed work
• Provide your reader with a way to follow up on your research by accessing the original information
• Shows the reader that you have conducted the necessary research
• Support your claims and deductions with citations.
• Assert your mastery of a particular field by citing similar papers in the same field

Complete Guide on How to Reference A Song in A Paper

For you to learn how to reference a song in a paper first you are required to have a source in the form of a song or songs. Next, you are to visit our website for more instructions and guidelines to help you convert your source into a correct citation and works cited entry. On the website, you will find that it is easy to navigate and peruse the various tools available to help you learn more about how to quote music. Do not be left behind, all your classmates are using citation generation machines for MLA citing a song, why not you?

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How to Write Lyrics in an Essay

Kimberley mcgee, 24 jun 2018.

They're effective tools and can elicit a certain type of mood in an eloquent way. Citing lyrics in an essay can purvey points that bring home the theme of the essay and add ambiance to an argument. Aside from putting them in quotation marks, possibly italics if deemed necessary, there are a few important rules to understand when quoting lyrics in an essay.

Explore this article

• Copyright Law
• How to Cite Lyrics in a Paper
• To Quote or Paraphrase

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1 Copyright Law

Lyrics are allowed to be quoted, with a few exceptions. Under the fair use doctrine of the United States copyright law, a phrase, bridge or section of a song can be quoted in small portions. The law isn’t specific as to the percentage of words from the song you can use or how many words in total you can quote from a particular song in the text.

2 How to Cite Lyrics in a Paper

A research paper that isn’t publicly published can use a limited portion of a song to convey a point. Acknowledgment of the author of the song, not just the artist, is required to be included with in-text citations. The reference page of the paper needs to also include the artist, author (if different from the performer) and album name, if applicable. A CD reference requires the quote of the passage followed by a reference to the author and the CD title. This can be done in the essay and then referenced in the works-cited-list entry. The works-cited-list entry requires the artist or author of the song lyrics, album name as the source title, the publisher and date that the album was released for public consumption followed by the form it was published in, such as CD or MP3. If the lyrics chosen to highlight a point in the essay are from a website, provide a description rather than a title. Follow that with the official name of the website and any publication date or information connected to the quotes being published on that site. Attach the URL to the end of the listing with proper punctuation for the entry.

3 To Quote or Paraphrase

A direct quote should be distinct so as not to bore the reader and clutter the essay with unneeded words. Sometimes, quotes can break up the persuasive flow of a paper’s point. A block of quoted text, particularly if it's one that's popular with a large percentage of the population, can bore the reader. In this case, use the most influential part of the quote and move onto paraphrasing the rest to bring the reader back to the unique voice of the essay’s author. Don’t lean on quotes to express your views. Paraphrasing allows you to let your voice come through while relating to the reader through well-known lyrics.

• Use care when including quotations and lyrics in an essay. Adding too many quotations has the effect of interrupting the flow of the text, and it may also lead instructors to scrutinize your work for possible plagiarism.
• 1 MLA Style Center: How do I cite song lyrics?
• 2 Case Western Reserve: Quote vs. Paraphrase

About the Author

Kimberley McGee is an award-winning journalist with 20+ years of experience writing about education, jobs, business and more for The New York Times, Las Vegas Review-Journal, Today’s Parent and other publications. She graduated with a B.A. in Journalism from UNLV. Her full bio and clips can be seen at www.vegaswriter.com.

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How to Quote Song Lyrics in an Essay?

How to Quote Song Lyrics in an Essay? Have you ever felt like quoting your favorite song’s lyrics in your academic essays because they are so relatable and meaningful? Well, it’s possible and very much practical as well. There is always a chance that you get to quote a song in your essay to support a confident statement. 

The lyrics of a song are crucial for conveying the feelings and emotions of the artists, and they are also instrumental in music essays. If you need to learn how to quote a song’s lyrics in an essay, you are at the right place. This blog is an exclusive guide on how to quote song lyrics in an essay with references. 

Quoting A Song Lyrics In An Essay 

If you ever feel like quoting a song in your essay, you need to do it according to the recommended formatting style assigned by your instructor. You should have all the information regarding the artists who wrote and performed the song so that you can credit them accordingly in your essay. This way, you will rightly find the answer to how to quote lyrics in an essay.

Music classes and Music education both require song lyrics quoting most of the time, but the literary essay can also mention songs if relatable. Since most essays follow APA formatting style, so the best writing essay help guide is bringing you closer to quoting song lyrics in APA style. There are a few principles to citing a song in APA, including in-text citations and referencing. 

In Text Citations

Firstly, you need to quote the lyrics within the context of the essay. APA had different principles for quoting lyrics and verses of songs in the essays. Before mentioning the lyrics, you have to be clear in answering three main questions. 

• Who:  The name of the songwriter
• When:  The date of the release of original recorded or printed music.
• Where:  Information regarding where to find the lyrics. You need to cite the song number for the recorded music list and the line number for the printed lyrics.

You should provide a little background of the song and what inspired the songwriters to write that piece. If the copyright date and song release date are different, you need to put both dates in the in-text citations. You can also provide the song number from the album tracklist. If you are quoting several lines from the same song, you need to give the reference and stanza number in parenthesis right below the verses. You can also use the booklet page number and publication date if you are quoting lyrics from the booklet.

How to Quote Lyrics in an Essay “Example” 

I’m starting with the man in the mirror

I’m asking him to change his ways

And no message could’ve been any clearer

If they want to make the world a better place

Take a look at yourself and then make a change

(Siedah Garret & Glen Ballard, Track 7, 1988)

Siedah Garet and Glen Ballard wrote this song for the global pop star Michael Jackson. The song, ‘Man in The Mirror,’ was released in early 1988, and it was the 7th single from Michael Jackson’s studio album ‘Bad.’ The song broke records and topped the Billboard Hot 100 charts for two weeks.

This song strongly reflects the impact of self-improvement and efforts made at an individual level. At first, the song shed light on the social issues and struggles of underprivileged people. Then, it smoothly shifts to the efforts that can make a change. It takes the listeners into a self-reflection dive and makes them realize how the change starts from within.

How to Quote a Song in an Essay “References Citations”

The entries in the references section at the end of your essay will have all the information their readers wanted to know about the song you quoted. Once you quote the music in the in-text citation, you need to cite it in the references as well. APA formatting style has the following principles for citing a song in an essay.

• The information in your in-text citation should be the same as the information you will enter in the references.
• If several different artists recorded the song you wanted to quote, you need to cite the version you are working with. This also applies to songs that various artists re-recorded in two different timelines. Be sure to cite the exact version you are using.
• You need to provide all the information regarding the parties involved in making that song, including the lyricist, composer, producer, release date, artists who performed the music, the medium and recording studio, and the location.
• If the song has different dates of single release and release as a part of the album, you are required to cite both dates.
• It would also be helpful if you knew which edition of the song you are quoting. You need to properly cite the edition and version of the song performed by different artists.

How to Quote a Song in an Essay? Start Citing

Your essay help writer now lead you toward the actual writing stage. From this phase, you can start writing your work side by side.

Last Name. First Name Initials (Lyricists), Last Name. First Name Initials (Composer). (Year of Songwriting) Song Name. [Recording Artist’s full name]. Album Name [CD, Volume Number]. City of Recording. Name of Recording Studios. (Year of Release)

Garret.S & Ballard. G (Lyricists), Jackson. M (Composer). (1987). Man In The Mirror[Recorded by Michael Jakcson]. Bad [CD, 1 vol]. Los Angeles, CA. Epic Records: Westlake Studios. (1988)

How to Quote Song Lyrics in an Essay Without Lyricist and Composer

Following is the format of citing a song that was initially recorded such a long time ago that it doesn’t list the name of the lyricist or composer.

Name of the song [Recording artist]. (Year of Recording). Album Name [CD, Volume Number]. City of Recording. Name of Recording Studios. (Year of Release)

Man In The Mirror [Recorded by Michael Jakcson]. (1987). Bad [CD, 1 vol]. Los Angeles, CA. Epic Records: Westlake Studios. (1988)

Citing a Song with the Same Lyricist and Composer

If you are quoting a song that was written, composed, and recorded by one person, you have to follow the below pattern. However, if it is short of time, then hiring an essay writer helper  is the best thing to do.

Name of Artist. (Year of release.) Song Name. Album Name [CD or volume]. New York, NY: Recording Studio Name

Jackson.M. (1983) Billie Jean. Thriller.[CD]. Los Angeles, CA: Westlake Recording Studios.

How to Quote Song Lyrics in an Essay From a Printed Source

If you are quoting lyrics of a song from a printed course like a booklet or pamphlet, the following format will be used.

Name of Librettist, & Name of Composer. (Year of publication). Place of Publication: Publication House.

Holmes. H.[Librettist], & Gayton.B.L (Composer). (1998). Beyond The Train Wreck. Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland: Dunstan House.

Ta-da! You’ve beaten quoting lyrics like a pro essay writer! Our complete guide for how to quote song lyrics in an essay reached an end. Just a friendly reminder for our reader: pick wisely, weave smoothly, and format like a pro. Also, don’t be shy, try different styles! Furthermore, do experiment with genres and let your essay become a symphony of ideas, leaving readers humming their way after the last line.

How Do You Cite A Song In An Essay

Introduction citing a song in an essay can be a tricky process, especially if you are not familiar with the proper formatting. knowing how to properly cite a song in an essay can help you avoid plagiarism and ensure that your work is properly credited. this guide will provide you with the information you need to properly cite a song in an essay, including the different types of citations, how to format them, and examples of properly cited songs., how to properly cite a song in an essay: a step-by-step guide.

When citing a song in an essay, start by including the artist’s name followed by the title of the song in quotation marks. For example: “The Way You Make Me Feel” by Michael Jackson.

2. Include the album name.

3. Include the year of release.

Include the artist’s name, the title of the song, the album name, and the year of release in your essay. For example: Michael Jackson’s “The Way You Make Me Feel” from Bad (1987) is an iconic song that has been covered by many artists.

Understanding the Different Citation Styles for Citing a Song in an Essay

When citing a song in an essay, it is important to know the style that is being used. There are several different citation styles that can be used, including MLA, APA, and Chicago. Each style has its own set of rules and guidelines for citing a song.

Chicago style is most commonly used for citing sources within the humanities and social sciences. When citing a song in an essay using Chicago style, the title of the song should be in quotation marks, followed by the name of the artist or composer. The year of release should be included in parentheses after the artist or composer’s name. The source of the song should also be included, such as the album or website.

Exploring the Benefits of Citing a Song in an Essay

One of the primary benefits of citing a song in an essay is that it can help to illustrate a point or concept. Music is often used to convey emotion and meaning, and by citing a song, the writer can draw on the power of the lyrics to help make their argument more persuasive. For example, if the essay is about the power of love, citing a song with lyrics about love can help to emphasize the point.

In conclusion, citing a song in an essay can be a great way to engage the reader and add a unique element to the paper. It can also be a powerful tool to help make a point or illustrate a concept. By citing a song, the writer can draw on the power of the lyrics to help make their argument more persuasive, engaging, and interesting.

Tips for Writing an Essay That Includes a Cited Song

3. Introduce the song in your essay. Provide the title, artist, and year of release.

6. Analyze the song’s lyrics. How do they support your argument?

9. Proofread your essay for any errors. Make sure all of your citations are accurate and that your essay is free of any typos or grammatical mistakes.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Citing a Song in an Essay

3. Not providing a link to the song: If the song is available online, it is important to provide a link to the song. This will allow readers to listen to the song and understand the context of the essay better.

How to Use Quotes from a Song in an Essay: A Comprehensive Guide

Using quotes from a song in an essay can be a great way to express your opinion and to provide evidence for your argument. However, it is important to use these quotes correctly in order to avoid plagiarism and to ensure that your essay is well-structured and coherent. This guide will provide you with a comprehensive overview of how to use quotes from a song in an essay.

2. Cite the Quote

When introducing a quote from a song in your essay, it is important to provide some context. This will help the reader to understand the quote and its relevance to your argument. Consider introducing the quote with a few sentences that explain why you have chosen it and how it relates to your topic.

5. Conclude the Quote

1. How do I cite a song in an essay?

If you don’t know the artist’s name, you can cite the song by its title. For example: “(Song Title) [Album Name] (Year) (Record Label, Location).”

4. What if I don’t know the record label or location?

If you’re citing a song from a movie or TV show, you should include the title of the movie or show, the year it was released, and the name of the studio that produced it. For example: “(Song Title) [Movie/TV Show Title] (Year) (Studio Name).”

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How do you do an in-text song title citation in MLA format?

No clue where else to ask this question and I can't find the answer anywhere on google.

Let's say my essay goes as follows: "The song "Only One" is about Kanye West's mother."

Since I'm referencing the song but no lyrics, do I have to include a citation? Ex. "The song "Only One" (West) is about Kanye West's mother." And then include a citation for the song in the works cited? Or do I not need to cite it at all?

Reference Examples

More than 100 reference examples and their corresponding in-text citations are presented in the seventh edition Publication Manual . Examples of the most common works that writers cite are provided on this page; additional examples are available in the Publication Manual .

To find the reference example you need, first select a category (e.g., periodicals) and then choose the appropriate type of work (e.g., journal article ) and follow the relevant example.

When selecting a category, use the webpages and websites category only when a work does not fit better within another category. For example, a report from a government website would use the reports category, whereas a page on a government website that is not a report or other work would use the webpages and websites category.

Also note that print and electronic references are largely the same. For example, to cite both print books and ebooks, use the books and reference works category and then choose the appropriate type of work (i.e., book ) and follow the relevant example (e.g., whole authored book ).

Examples on these pages illustrate the details of reference formats. We make every attempt to show examples that are in keeping with APA Style’s guiding principles of inclusivity and bias-free language. These examples are presented out of context only to demonstrate formatting issues (e.g., which elements to italicize, where punctuation is needed, placement of parentheses). References, including these examples, are not inherently endorsements for the ideas or content of the works themselves. An author may cite a work to support a statement or an idea, to critique that work, or for many other reasons. For more examples, see our sample papers .

Reference examples are covered in the seventh edition APA Style manuals in the Publication Manual Chapter 10 and the Concise Guide Chapter 10

Related handouts

• Common Reference Examples Guide (PDF, 147KB)
• Reference Quick Guide (PDF, 225KB)

Textual Works

Textual works are covered in Sections 10.1–10.8 of the Publication Manual . The most common categories and examples are presented here. For the reviews of other works category, see Section 10.7.

• Journal Article References
• Magazine Article References
• Newspaper Article References
• Blog Post and Blog Comment References
• UpToDate Article References
• Book/Ebook References
• Diagnostic Manual References
• Children’s Book or Other Illustrated Book References
• Classroom Course Pack Material References
• Religious Work References
• Chapter in an Edited Book/Ebook References
• Dictionary Entry References
• Wikipedia Entry References
• Report by a Government Agency References
• Report with Individual Authors References
• Brochure References
• Ethics Code References
• Fact Sheet References
• ISO Standard References
• Press Release References
• White Paper References
• Conference Presentation References
• Conference Proceeding References
• Published Dissertation or Thesis References
• Unpublished Dissertation or Thesis References
• ERIC Database References
• Preprint Article References

Data and Assessments

Data sets are covered in Section 10.9 of the Publication Manual . For the software and tests categories, see Sections 10.10 and 10.11.

• Data Set References
• Toolbox References

Audiovisual Media

Audiovisual media are covered in Sections 10.12–10.14 of the Publication Manual . The most common examples are presented together here. In the manual, these examples and more are separated into categories for audiovisual, audio, and visual media.

• Artwork References
• Clip Art or Stock Image References
• Film and Television References
• Musical Score References
• Online Course or MOOC References
• Podcast References
• PowerPoint Slide or Lecture Note References
• Radio Broadcast References
• TED Talk References
• Transcript of an Audiovisual Work References
• YouTube Video References

Online Media

Online media are covered in Sections 10.15 and 10.16 of the Publication Manual . Please note that blog posts are part of the periodicals category.

• Facebook References
• Instagram References
• LinkedIn References
• Online Forum (e.g., Reddit) References
• TikTok References
• X References
• Webpage on a Website References
• Clinical Practice References
• Open Educational Resource References
• Whole Website References

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Best Moment of My Life

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The unexpected journey, a moment of connection, the ripple effect, reflections and future aspirations.

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Introducing Microsoft 365 Copilot – your copilot for work

Mar 16, 2023 | Jared Spataro - CVP, AI at Work

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Humans are hard-wired to dream, to create, to innovate. Each of us seeks to do work that gives us purpose — to write a great novel, to make a discovery, to build strong communities, to care for the sick. The urge to connect to the core of our work lives in all of us. But today, we spend too much time consumed by the drudgery of work on tasks that zap our time, creativity and energy. To reconnect to the soul of our work, we don’t just need a better way of doing the same things. We need a whole new way to work.

Today, we are bringing the power of next-generation AI to work. Introducing Microsoft 365 Copilot — your copilot for work . It combines the power of large language models (LLMs) with your data in the Microsoft Graph and the Microsoft 365 apps to turn your words into the most powerful productivity tool on the planet.

“Today marks the next major step in the evolution of how we interact with computing, which will fundamentally change the way we work and unlock a new wave of productivity growth,” said Satya Nadella, Chairman and CEO, Microsoft. “With our new copilot for work, we’re giving people more agency and making technology more accessible through the most universal interface — natural language.”

Copilot is integrated into Microsoft 365 in two ways. It works alongside you, embedded in the Microsoft 365 apps you use every day — Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams and more — to unleash creativity, unlock productivity and uplevel skills. Today we’re also announcing an entirely new experience: Business Chat . Business Chat works across the LLM, the Microsoft 365 apps, and your data — your calendar, emails, chats, documents, meetings and contacts — to do things you’ve never been able to do before. You can give it natural language prompts like “Tell my team how we updated the product strategy,” and it will generate a status update based on the morning’s meetings, emails and chat threads.

With Copilot, you’re always in control. You decide what to keep, modify or discard. Now, you can be more creative in Word, more analytical in Excel, more expressive in PowerPoint, more productive in Outlook and more collaborative in Teams.

Microsoft 365 Copilot transforms work in three ways:

Unleash creativity. With Copilot in Word, you can jump-start the creative process so you never start with a blank slate again. Copilot gives you a first draft to edit and iterate on — saving hours in writing, sourcing, and editing time. Sometimes Copilot will be right, other times usefully wrong — but it will always put you further ahead. You’re always in control as the author, driving your unique ideas forward, prompting Copilot to shorten, rewrite or give feedback. Copilot in PowerPoint helps you create beautiful presentations with a simple prompt, adding relevant content from a document you made last week or last year. And with Copilot in Excel, you can analyze trends and create professional-looking data visualizations in seconds.

Unlock productivity. We all want to focus on the 20% of our work that really matters, but 80% of our time is consumed with busywork that bogs us down. Copilot lightens the load. From summarizing long email threads to quickly drafting suggested replies, Copilot in Outlook helps you clear your inbox in minutes, not hours. And every meeting is a productive meeting with Copilot in Teams. It can summarize key discussion points — including who said what and where people are aligned and where they disagree — and suggest action items, all in real time during a meeting. And with Copilot in Power Platform, anyone can automate repetitive tasks, create chatbots and go from idea to working app in minutes.

GitHub data shows that Copilot promises to unlock productivity for everyone. Among developers who use GitHub Copilot, 88% say they are more productive, 74% say that they can focus on more satisfying work, and 77% say it helps them spend less time searching for information or examples.

But Copilot doesn’t just supercharge individual productivity. It creates a new knowledge model for every organization — harnessing the massive reservoir of data and insights that lies largely inaccessible and untapped today. Business Chat works across all your business data and apps to surface the information and insights you need from a sea of data — so knowledge flows freely across the organization, saving you valuable time searching for answers. You will be able to access Business Chat from Microsoft 365.com, from Bing when you’re signed in with your work account, or from Teams.

Uplevel skills. Copilot makes you better at what you’re good at and lets you quickly master what you’ve yet to learn. The average person uses only a handful of commands — such as “animate a slide” or “insert a table” — from the thousands available across Microsoft 365. Now, all that rich functionality is unlocked using just natural language. And this is only the beginning.

Copilot will fundamentally change how people work with AI and how AI works with people. As with any new pattern of work, there’s a learning curve — but those who embrace this new way of working will quickly gain an edge.

The Copilot System: Enterprise-ready AI

Microsoft is uniquely positioned to deliver enterprise-ready AI with the Copilot System . Copilot is more than OpenAI’s ChatGPT embedded into Microsoft 365. It’s a sophisticated processing and orchestration engine working behind the scenes to combine the power of LLMs, including GPT-4, with the Microsoft 365 apps and your business data in the Microsoft Graph — now accessible to everyone through natural language.

Grounded in your business data. AI-powered LLMs are trained on a large but limited corpus of data. The key to unlocking productivity in business lies in connecting LLMs to your business data — in a secure, compliant, privacy-preserving way. Microsoft 365 Copilot has real-time access to both your content and context in the Microsoft Graph. This means it generates answers anchored in your business content — your documents, emails, calendar, chats, meetings, contacts and other business data — and combines them with your working context — the meeting you’re in now, the email exchanges you’ve had on a topic, the chat conversations you had last week — to deliver accurate, relevant, contextual responses.

Built on Microsoft’s comprehensive approach to security, compliance and privacy. Copilot is integrated into Microsoft 365 and automatically inherits all your company’s valuable security, compliance, and privacy policies and processes. Two-factor authentication, compliance boundaries, privacy protections, and more make Copilot the AI solution you can trust.

Architected to protect tenant, group and individual data. We know data leakage is a concern for customers. Copilot LLMs are not trained on your tenant data or your prompts. Within your tenant, our time-tested permissioning model ensures that data won’t leak across user groups. And on an individual level, Copilot presents only data you can access using the same technology that we’ve been using for years to secure customer data.

Integrated into the apps millions use every day. Microsoft 365 Copilot is integrated in the productivity apps millions of people use and rely on every day for work and life — Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams and more. An intuitive and consistent user experience ensures it looks, feels and behaves the same way in Teams as it does in Outlook, with a shared design language for prompts, refinements and commands.

Designed to learn new skills.  Microsoft 365 Copilot’s foundational skills are a game changer for productivity: It can already create, summarize, analyze, collaborate and automate using your specific business content and context. But it doesn’t stop there. Copilot knows how to command apps (e.g., “animate this slide”) and work across apps, translating a Word document into a PowerPoint presentation. And Copilot is designed to learn new skills. For example, with Viva Sales, Copilot can learn how to connect to CRM systems of record to pull customer data — like interaction and order histories — into communications. As Copilot learns about new domains and processes, it will be able to perform even more sophisticated tasks and queries.

Committed to building responsibly

At Microsoft, we are guided by our AI principles and Responsible AI Standard and decades of research on AI, grounding and privacy-preserving machine learning. A multidisciplinary team of researchers, engineers and policy experts reviews our AI systems for potential harms and mitigations — refining training data, filtering to limit harmful content, query- and result-blocking sensitive topics, and applying Microsoft technologies like InterpretML and Fairlearn to help detect and correct data bias. We make it clear how the system makes decisions by noting limitations, linking to sources, and prompting users to review, fact-check and adjust content based on subject-matter expertise.

Moving boldly as we learn  

In the months ahead, we’re bringing Copilot to all our productivity apps—Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, Viva, Power Platform, and more. We’ll share more on pricing and licensing soon. Earlier this month we announced Dynamics 365 Copilot as the world’s first AI Copilot in both CRM and ERP to bring the next-generation AI to every line of business.

Everyone deserves to find purpose and meaning in their work — and Microsoft 365 Copilot can help. To serve the unmet needs of our customers, we must move quickly and responsibly, learning as we go. We’re testing Copilot with a small group of customers to get feedback and improve our models as we scale, and we will expand to more soon.

Learn more on the Microsoft 365 blog and visit WorkLab to get expert insights on how AI will create a brighter future of work for everyone.

And for all the blogs, videos and assets related to today’s announcements, please visit our microsite .

Tags: AI , Microsoft 365 , Microsoft 365 Copilot

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How do I format a quotation of song lyrics?

Format a quotation of song lyrics the same way you would format a quotation of poetry. If the quotation consists of fewer than four lines, run it into the text, placing quotation marks around the lines and separating the lines from each other with a forward slash with a space on either side of it. 

Bob Dylan famously sang that “[t]he answer, my friend, is blowin’ in the wind / The answer is blowin’ in the wind.” Work Cited Dylan, Bob. “Blowin’ in the Wind.” Bob Dylan , 2018, www.bobdylan.com/songs/blowin-wind/.

If the quotation consists of four or more lines, set the quoted lines apart from the text as an extract.

In “Blowin’ in the Wind,” Bob Dylan asks: How many roads must a man walk down Before you call him a man? Yes, ’n’ how many seas must a white dove sail Before she sleeps in the sand?

Dylan, Bob. “Blowin’ in the Wind.” Bob Dylan , 2018, www.bobdylan.com/songs/blowin-wind/.

Janis Paige, comedic singing star of stage and screen, dies at 101

She was on Broadway in “The Pajama Game” and danced with Fred Astaire in the movie “Silk Stockings."

Janis Paige, an exuberant nightclub performer who starred on Broadway in “The Pajama Game,” swung from a chandelier with Fred Astaire in the movie “Silk Stockings” and played a flirtatious waitress who tempts Archie Bunker to stray from his marriage vows on the sitcom “All in the Family,” died June 2 at her home in West Hollywood. She was 101.

Her death was confirmed by her friend Stuart Lampert, who said she had been in hospice but did not cite a specific cause.

Although Ms. Paige appeared in westerns and melodramas, she was best known as a scene-stealing comic actress in parts that often brandished her mile-long legs and flashing eyes. Film critic Alton Cook of the New York World-Telegram and Sun described her as “one of the most deft and engaging of our girl clowns.”

Talent scouts spotted her singing opera at the Hollywood Canteen, a club that catered to servicemen on leave during World War II. Within a year, she was under contract to Warner Bros. studios and cast in the film “Hollywood Canteen” (1944) as a hostess and aspiring actress who bewitches a wolfish soldier (Dane Clark). When he asks for a date, she fends him off with dramatic flourish: “I give so much of myself to my art, and there’d be so little left for you.”

She also played a gangster’s moll and chanteuse in the melodrama “Her Kind of Man” (1946) and had decorative roles in “Winter Meeting” (1948), starring Bette Davis, and “Wallflower” (1948) as the glamorous sister of studious Joyce Reynolds.

There were plenty of musical comedies in the mix, often with co-stars Jack Carson or Dennis Morgan. In the western “Cheyenne” (1947), she played a dancehall chanteuse who performs atop a bar .

Her other films included “Two Guys from Milwaukee,” “The Time, the Place and the Girl” (both 1946) and “Romance on the High Seas” (1948). The last marked the movie debut of Doris Day , whose studio career waxed as Ms. Paige’s rapidly waned.

To rejuvenate her prospects, Ms. Paige assembled a touring nightclub act that played in Las Vegas, New York and points in between. She made her Broadway debut in 1951, portraying a comely but hopelessly bad singer in the Howard Lindsay-Russel Crouse mystery-comedy “Remains to Be Seen.”

Ms. Paige became a major Broadway star playing the union grievance committee leader in “The Pajama Game” (1954), a musical romance set amid labor-management tensions at a pajama factory. The show, which ran two years, won the Tony Award for best musical, provided an early showcase for the modern dance choreography of Bob Fosse, and featured a bevy of hit songs by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross.

Ms. Paige was turned down for the 1957 film version, which featured her Broadway co-star, John Raitt, opposite Day. “For the movie, they needed a box office name,” she told the Associated Press years later. “They wanted Frank Sinatra to play John Raitt's role. Frank considered it and turned it down. I would have played my role.”

“I never get devastated about things like that,” she added. “I’m lucky to have had the show. I always felt that way. There’s nothing like the original.”

The musical’s success — and her headline act at the Cocoanut Grove nightclub in Los Angeles — made Ms. Paige a household name. She had a starring role on “It’s Always Jan” (1955), a short-lived CBS sitcom about a widowed cabaret star raising a young daughter. She also won a supporting role as a flamboyant Hollywood actress opposite Astaire and Cyd Charisse in “Silk Stockings” (1957).

The film was based on a 1955 Broadway musical adaptation of the 1939 movie “Ninotchka,” a romantic comedy starring Greta Garbo and Melvyn Douglas. Ms. Paige provided the movie with some much-needed juice — especially her droll rendition of Cole Porter’s “Stereophonic Sound,” choreographed by Hermes Pan and culminating in Ms. Paige and Astaire gliding across the room, suspended from a chandelier .

“It was hard work, believe me,” she later told the Miami Herald, describing weeks of rehearsals. “I was one mass of bruises. I didn’t know how to fall … because I was never a classic dancer.”

She added that she was too intimidated by Astaire to refuse his idea for the chandelier sequence. “He showed me and said, ‘You think you can do that?’ And I said, ‘Sure, I can do that.’ Not knowing if I was going to fall on my face or not. I didn’t.”

She returned to Broadway in 1963 for “Here’s Love,” Meredith Willson’s musical adaptation of the 1947 Christmas film “Miracle on 34th Street.” In the role Maureen O’Hara originated on screen, Ms. Paige played a cynical working mother whose young daughter clings to an abiding faith in Santa Claus.

In 1968, Ms. Paige took over from Angela Lansbury in Jerry Herman’s long-running Broadway musical comedy “Mame,” playing a bohemian socialite caring for her orphaned nephew. “She looks glowingly well and sings, dances and acts with a sweet enthusiasm, but not perhaps the bittersweet enthusiasm Miss Lansbury presented,” New York Times theater critic Clive Barnes wrote. “She is less of a character but, as some compensation, perhaps more of a performer.”

In the movie comedy “Please Don’t Eat the Daisies” (1960), Ms. Paige had a vivid supporting role as an actress who slaps theater critic David Niven for giving her a bad review. She was part of Bob Hope’s USO shows and was a television stalwart, with appearances on variety shows, afternoon soap operas such as “General Hospital” and series including “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” “Trapper John, M.D.” and “St. Elsewhere.”

Most memorable was a guest role on “All in the Family,” as a diner waitress with hungry eyes for Carroll O’Connor’s Archie Bunker. Archie was a comically lovable bigot who, whatever his many faults, seemed devoted to his bighearted wife, Edith. Feeling neglected because of his wife’s volunteer work, he is susceptible to Ms. Paige’s unsubtle invitation to her home.

Ms. Paige told the Herald that she received mounds of angry letters for almost wrecking the Bunkers’ TV marriage. “My God, they hated me,” she said. “I had hate mail: ‘How dare you come between Archie and Edith? How dare you do this?’ And other people would write, ‘It’s about time he kissed somebody else, and I would have kissed you, too, if I had been there.’ ”

Donna Mae Tjaden was born in Tacoma, Wash., on Sept. 16, 1922. She was 4 when her parents separated and was raised by her mother and grandparents. Her mother encouraged her show business ambitions, which took her to Hollywood within a year of completing high school.

Her marriages to restaurateur Frank Martinelli Jr. and TV producer Arthur Stander ended in divorce. She was married to Ray Gilbert, the Oscar-winning lyricist of “Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah,” from 1962 until his death in 1976. Complete information on survivors was not immediately available.

For years, Ms. Paige ran a music publishing company that Gilbert formed with the bossa nova composer-performer Antonio Carlos Jobim. Despite struggling with vocal cord damage, she continued an active cabaret career into her 90s with a one-woman autobiographical show that blended songs with spicy patter about aging .

In a forceful coda to her career, amid a national debate about how powerful men treat young women, she wrote an essay in the Hollywood Reporter in 2017 about sexual assault in Hollywood. She said that, as a starlet who was “still a virgin, untouched and blind to the predators waiting,” she was pressured by a director to go on a date with his friend, the department store scion Alfred Bloomingdale , who attempted to rape her that night.

“The fear for my job, the fear that no one would believe me and the shame I felt at the betrayal of myself kept me quiet all these years,” she wrote. Referring to the social media hashtag #MeToo that conveys solidarity with victims of sexual assault and harassment, she added: “At 95, time is not on my side, and neither is silence. I simply want to add my name and say, ‘Me too.’ ”

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

How to Cite a Song in APA

Understanding how to cite songs in APA is crucial for projects that study pop culture, sociology, and a variety of other topics. This guide will show you how to cite songs following the guidelines for APA 7th edition.

Guide Overview

Citing a song, citing an album, citing a classical music album, citing an album that has been reissued or re-recorded.

• In-text citations

Reference list entry structure:

Songwriter last name, F. M. (Copyright year). Song title [Recorded by F.M. Last (performer’s name/musical group)]. On Album title [Medium of recording]. Record label name.

Note:  If the songwriter and performer are the same person , leave out the bracketed data [Recorded by _______] following the song title.

Turner, A. (2013). Do I wanna know? [Recorded by Arctic Monkeys]. On AM [Album]. Domino Records.

In-text citation structure & example:

(Songwriter last name, Year)

(Turner, 2013)

Citing a song retrieved online

Songwriter last name, F. M. (Copyright year). Song title [Recorded by F.M. Last (performer’s name/musical group)] [Lyrics]. Retrieved from URL

Reference list entry example:

Simon, P. (1972). Me and Julio down by the schoolyard [Lyrics]. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/JVdlpZ4M-Hw

Recording Artist or Group. (Date). Album title in sentence case [Album]. Record label name.

Reference list entry examples:

Abdul, P. (1992). Forever your girl [Album]. Virgin Records US.

King Gizzard and the Wizard Lizard. (2019). Infest the rat’s nest  [Album]. ATO Records.

(Recording artist last name, Year)

(Abdul, 1992)

(King Gizzard and the Wizard Lizard, 2019)

For a classical music album, write the name of the composer as the author and the individuals/group who recorded the album in square brackets after the album title. At the end of the reference, include the original date of publication.

Composer last name, F. M. (Date). Album title in sentence case.  [Album recorded by group/last name, F. M.]. Recording label. (Original work published date)

Hopkins, A. (2011). And the waltz goes on. [Album recorded by A. Rieu & Johann Strauss Orchestra]. Decca. (Original work published 1725)

For albums that have been rerecorded or reissued, include the original publication, write a slash, then include the date of the version you are using.

(Composer last name, Year)

(Hopkins, 1725/2011)

Include the original date of publication in paratheses after the recording label.

Recording Artist or Group. (Date). Album title in sentence case.  [Album recorded by group/last name, F. M.]. Recording label. (Original work published date)

The Rolling Stones. (2015). Sticky fingers [Album]. UMe. (Originally published 1971)

(The Rolling Stones, 1971/2015)

APA Formatting Guide

APA Formatting

• Annotated Bibliography
• Block Quotes
• et al Usage
• In-text Citations
• Multiple Authors
• Paraphrasing
• Page Numbers
• Parenthetical Citations
• Reference Page
• Sample Paper
• APA 7 Updates
• View APA Guide

Citation Examples

• Book Chapter
• Journal Article
• Magazine Article
• Newspaper Article
• Website (no author)
• View all APA Examples

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To cite a song or music video in APA style, you need to have basic information including the name of the composer, title of the song or music, company name, and publication date. The templates for in-text citation and reference list entry of a song or music video, along with examples, are given below:

In-text citation template and example:

In parenthetical citations, use the composer’s surname and the publication year.

Composer’s Surname (Publication Year)

Beyoncé (2013)

Parenthetical

(Composer’s Surname, Publication Year)

(Beyoncé, 2013)

Reference list entry template and example:

Songwriter F.M. (Copyright year). Song title [Recorded by F.M. Last (performer’s name/musical group)]. On Album title [Medium of recording]. City, State of label: Record label name.

Beyoncé. (2013). Ring off. On Beyoncé: Platinum Edition [MP3 file]. Los Angeles, CA: Parkwood; Columbia.

To cite lyrics in APA format, you need to have basic information including the name of the composer, title of the song, company name, date, and URL. The templates for in-text citation and reference list entry of lyrics, along with examples, are given below:

(Composer’s Surname, Publication Year, timestamp)

(Beyoncé, 2019, 02:36)

Beyoncé. (2019). Don’t jealous me. On Beyoncé: Platinum Edition [MP3 file]. Los Angeles, CA: Parkwood; Columbia.

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Hong Kong Convicts Democracy Activists in Largest National Security Trial

As part of China’s crackdown on even peaceful opposition, a court in Hong Kong convicted 14 people, who now face prison time along with dozens of others.

By Tiffany May

Reporting from Hong Kong

Fourteen democracy activists in Hong Kong were convicted on Thursday on national security charges, adding to the ranks of dozens of others — once the vanguard of the city’s opposition — who may now become a generation of political prisoners.

The authorities had accused 47 pro-democracy figures , including Benny Tai, a former law professor, and Joshua Wong, a protest leader and founder of a student group, of conspiracy to commit subversion. Thirty-one of them had earlier pleaded guilty. On Thursday, judges picked by Hong Kong’s Beijing-backed leader convicted 14 of the remaining activists and acquitted two others. The charge carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.

The convictions show how the authorities have used the sweeping powers of a national security law imposed by Beijing to quash dissent across broad swathes of society. Most of the defendants had already spent at least the last three years in detention before the 118-day trial ended.

Some of those accused are former lawmakers who joined politics after Hong Kong was returned to Chinese rule by the British in 1997. Others are activists and legislators who have advocated self-determination for Hong Kong with more confrontational tactics. Several, like Mr. Wong, who rose to fame as a teenage activist, were among the students leading large street occupations in 2014 for the right to vote.

Their offense: holding a primary election to improve their chances in citywide polls.

“The message from the authorities is clear: Any opposition activism, even the moderate kind, will no longer be tolerated,” said Ho-fung Hung, an expert on Hong Kong politics at Johns Hopkins University.

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