How To Cite Music Lyrics

Citing music lyrics can be a bit tricky, but it’s essential to give credit to the original creators of the work. When citing music lyrics, you need to consider the style guide you’re using, as different guides have different requirements. Here, we’ll explore the most common style guides, including MLA, APA, and Chicago, and provide examples of how to cite music lyrics in each.

Understanding the Importance of Citations

Before we dive into the details of citing music lyrics, it’s essential to understand why citations are crucial. Citations help to:

• Give credit to the original creators of the work
• Allow readers to locate the source material
• Add credibility to your work
• Avoid plagiarism

MLA Style

In MLA style, when citing music lyrics, you need to include the following elements:

• The name of the songwriter or composer
• The title of the song (in title case)
• The title of the album (in title case)
• The release date of the album
• The label or publisher
• The medium of publication (e.g., CD, vinyl, digital)

Here’s an example of how to cite music lyrics in MLA style:

Songwriter’s Last Name, First Name. “Song Title.” Album Title, Release Date, Label/Publisher, Medium of Publication.

Example: Lennon, John. “Imagine.” Imagine, 1971, Apple Records, CD.

If you’re citing a specific line or lines from the song, you can include the line numbers in parentheses:

Lennon, John. “Imagine.” Imagine, 1971, Apple Records, CD. (lines 1-2)

APA Style

In APA style, when citing music lyrics, you need to include the following elements:

• The name of the songwriter or composer
• The title of the song (in title case)
• The title of the album (in title case)
• The release date of the album
• The label or publisher
• The medium of publication (e.g., CD, vinyl, digital)
• The DOI or URL (if applicable)

Here’s an example of how to cite music lyrics in APA style:

Songwriter’s Last Name, First Name. (Release Date). Song title. On Album title [Medium of Publication]. Label/Publisher. DOI or URL

Example: Lennon, J. (1971). Imagine. On Imagine [CD]. Apple Records.

If you’re citing a specific line or lines from the song, you can include the line numbers in parentheses:

Lennon, J. (1971). Imagine. On Imagine [CD]. Apple Records. (lines 1-2)

Chicago Style

In Chicago style, when citing music lyrics, you need to include the following elements:

• The name of the songwriter or composer
• The title of the song (in title case)
• The title of the album (in title case)
• The release date of the album
• The label or publisher
• The medium of publication (e.g., CD, vinyl, digital)

Here’s an example of how to cite music lyrics in Chicago style:

Songwriter’s Last Name, First Name. “Song Title.” Album Title, Release Date, Label/Publisher, Medium of Publication.

Example: Lennon, John. “Imagine.” Imagine, 1971, Apple Records, CD.

If you’re citing a specific line or lines from the song, you can include the line numbers in parentheses:

Lennon, John. “Imagine.” Imagine, 1971, Apple Records, CD. (lines 1-2)

Additional Tips

• Always check the style guide’s requirements for citing music lyrics, as they may change over time.
• If you’re citing a song that has multiple songwriters or composers, list all of them, separated by commas.
• If you’re citing a song that has been covered by another artist, include the original songwriter’s name and the cover artist’s name.
• If you’re citing a song that has been released in multiple formats (e.g., CD, vinyl, digital), include the format you’re citing.

Frequently Asked Questions

By following these guidelines and tips, you’ll be able to cite music lyrics correctly and give credit to the original creators of the work. Remember to always check the style guide’s requirements and consult with experts if you’re unsure about how to cite music lyrics.