How to Cite a Song MLA: A Comprehensive Guide

Ever been humming a catchy tune and suddenly wondered how to give credit to the artist and songwriter in your research paper? Citing sources is a fundamental aspect of academic integrity, ensuring you acknowledge the creative work of others and avoid plagiarism. While we often think of citing books and articles, music plays a significant role in our culture and, consequently, in academic discourse. Properly citing songs in MLA format can seem tricky, but it’s an essential skill for anyone analyzing music, referencing lyrics, or discussing a song’s impact within a broader context.

Accurately citing songs not only upholds ethical standards but also strengthens your argument by providing verifiable sources for your claims. Just as with any other source, providing clear and consistent citations allows your readers to easily locate the music you’re referencing, enhancing the credibility of your work. Ignoring proper citation can lead to accusations of plagiarism, which can have serious academic consequences. Therefore, understanding the nuances of MLA song citation is crucial for researchers, students, and anyone engaging with music in an academic setting.

What elements do I need to include in my MLA song citation, and where do I find them?

How do I format the in-text citation for a song in MLA?

When citing a song in the body of your paper using MLA format, you’ll typically use the artist’s name and the song title (or a shortened version if the title is long) within parentheses. For example: (Beyoncé, “Halo”). If the artist is mentioned in the sentence, you only need to include the song title in the citation: ( “Halo”).

The goal of the in-text citation is to clearly and concisely point your reader to the corresponding entry in your Works Cited list. If you’re citing a specific part of the song, such as a particular verse, you may need to provide additional information in your parenthetical citation if it aids clarity. Because song lyrics don’t have page numbers, you will not include page numbers in your in-text citation.

Consider this example: If you were quoting a line from Beyoncé’s song “Halo,” your in-text citation might look like this: (Beyoncé, “Halo”). This signals to the reader to find the entry for “Halo” under Beyoncé’s name in your Works Cited page, where you’ll provide full publication details (album title, record label, year, etc.). Remember that consistency between your in-text citation and Works Cited entry is crucial for accurate referencing.

What elements are required in an MLA Works Cited entry for a song?

A Works Cited entry for a song in MLA format generally requires the following core elements: the artist’s name, the song title, the album name (if applicable), the record label, the year of publication (or release), and the format or medium. Including all these elements provides a clear path for readers to locate the song you’ve cited.

The artist’s name is listed in “Last Name, First Name” format. The song title is enclosed in quotation marks, while the album title (if the song is part of an album) is italicized. If the song is a single or not part of an album, that detail can be omitted. Crucially, the record label and year of release are necessary for identification. Finally, specifying the format, like “Streaming audio,” “CD,” or “Vinyl record,” clarifies how you accessed the song. If accessing the song online, consider including the name of the streaming service (e.g., Spotify, Apple Music) in place of the record label, followed by the URL.

Here’s a basic template to illustrate the order of elements: Artist’s Last Name, First Name. “Song Title.” *Album Title*, Record Label, Year of Release, Format. For example: Swift, Taylor. “All Too Well.” *Red (Taylor’s Version)*, Republic Records, 2021, Streaming audio. Remember to adjust the format based on how you accessed the song and include any additional relevant information, such as the composer or performer if different from the artist, following MLA guidelines.

How does citing a song on a physical album differ from citing a song on a streaming service in MLA?

The main difference in citing a song from a physical album versus a streaming service in MLA lies in the source information you provide. For a physical album, you’ll emphasize the album itself as the container, including details like the record label and year of release. For a streaming service, the streaming platform becomes the container, and you’ll include its name instead of the record label, along with the date you accessed the song.

When citing a song from a physical album, the core elements remain consistent: the artist’s name (“Author”), the song title (“Title of Source”), the album title (“Title of Container”), contributing artists like performers or composers if relevant, the record label (“Other Contributors”), and the year of release (“Publication Date”). The “Container” is the physical album itself. For example, if you were citing “Here Comes the Sun” by The Beatles from the *Abbey Road* album, you would include the record label (Apple Records) and the year (1969) in your citation.

However, when citing a song from a streaming service, you are referencing a digital distribution platform. In this case, the streaming service (e.g., Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music) is considered the “Container.” The citation then includes the streaming service name in italics followed by the date you accessed the song. Including the access date is crucial for online sources because content can change or be removed. While the core elements like artist and song title remain the same, the details about how the song was accessed shift the focus from the physical product to the digital platform hosting the content.

Should I include the recording artist or the songwriter in the MLA citation?

In MLA style, prioritize citing the individual most responsible for the version of the song you accessed. Typically, this is the recording artist, as they are the performer who brought that specific rendition to life. However, if your focus is on the song’s composition or lyrics, and you are analyzing the work of the songwriter(s) specifically, then the songwriter(s) should be listed first.

The MLA Handbook emphasizes citing the creator whose work you are actually using. When you listen to a song on Spotify, Apple Music, or a physical album, you are experiencing the recording artist’s interpretation. Therefore, the artist is generally placed in the author position of your citation. You can still acknowledge the songwriter(s) later in the citation, usually in the “Contributors” section if provided by the source.

If your research directly focuses on the songwriting itself – for example, analyzing the lyrical themes of a particular songwriter’s body of work, or comparing different versions of a song written by the same person – then begin the citation with the songwriter’s name. This signals to your reader that the primary subject of your analysis is the composition, not a particular performance. Be sure your reasoning is evident in your writing.

How do I cite a song if the artist and songwriter are different people, according to MLA?

When citing a song in MLA format where the performer and songwriter are different individuals, begin the citation with the songwriter’s name, followed by the song title in quotation marks. Then, specify “Performed by” followed by the artist’s name. Finally, include the album title in italics, the record label, and the year of release.

To elaborate, MLA prioritizes crediting the creator of the work being cited. In the case of a song, the songwriter is considered the primary creator. If the artist performing the song is different, you acknowledge their contribution separately after the song title. This distinction is crucial for accurately representing the creative contributions to the musical work. Include the full name of both the songwriter and the performer if available. For example, a citation might look like this: Taupin, Bernie. “Rocket Man.” Performed by Elton John, *Honky Château*, MCA Records, 1972. This format clearly indicates that Bernie Taupin wrote the song, while Elton John performed it, allowing readers to understand the different roles involved in the song’s creation and performance. Remember to italicize the album title as it is a larger container.

What if the song is from a musical or opera; how does that affect the MLA citation?

When citing a song from a musical or opera in MLA format, the citation changes to reflect the larger work it’s a part of. The song title goes in quotation marks, followed by the title of the musical or opera in italics. You’ll also need to include information about the performers (if relevant to your analysis), the composer and lyricist (if different from the performer), and details about the specific recording or performance you are citing, including the publisher, year, and any relevant URLs or container information.

The crucial difference lies in acknowledging the encompassing work. Instead of treating the song as an independent entity, the citation emphasizes that it’s a component of a larger narrative and artistic creation. Therefore, the musical or opera title becomes a primary element in your citation, providing context for the song’s existence and meaning. If you accessed the song through a streaming service or a recording, you’ll need to provide specific details related to that source.

For example, if you are citing “Defying Gravity” from the musical *Wicked*, your citation might look like this: “Defying Gravity.” *Wicked*, music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, performed by Idina Menzel, Universal Music, 2003. Notice that the song title is in quotation marks, while the musical’s title is italicized. The composer and lyricist are credited, as is the performer and the recording information. If you watched a live performance, you would replace the recording details with information about the specific performance, including the date and venue.

What information is included in the MLA citation for a song in a film?

An MLA citation for a song in a film typically includes the song title, the composer or performer of the song (if relevant and different from the film’s personnel), the film title, the director of the film, the distribution company, and the year of release. It’s crucial to specify that the source is a song from a film to avoid ambiguity.

Specifically, the citation should begin with the song title in quotation marks. Following the song title, include “Performed by” and the name of the singer or band if the performance is central to your analysis. Then, provide the film title in italics. The citation should also include “Directed by” and the director’s name. Conclude with the distribution company and the year the film was released. This structure ensures that readers can easily identify the song and locate the film it belongs to.

Here’s an example: “Lose Yourself.” Performed by Eminem. *8 Mile*, directed by Curtis Hanson, Universal Pictures, 2002. It’s important to remember that your focus is on the song itself within the context of the film. If the song is instrumental and no specific performer is highlighted, you may omit the “Performed by” element. Always prioritize accuracy and consistency in your citations.

And that’s the melody of citing a song in MLA! Hopefully, this has helped you hit the right note in your research. Thanks for tuning in, and we hope you’ll come back for more citation serenades soon!