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

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

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

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

In-Text Citations

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

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

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

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

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

They took all the trees

Put ’em in a tree museum

And they charged the people

A dollar and a half just to see ’em

(Mitchell, 1970, track 4)

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

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

Reference List Entries

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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How to 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 318,884 times.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Using Chicago Style

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

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

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

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

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

Community Q&A

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

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Expert Interview

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

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

About This Article

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

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How to Incorporate Lyrics Into an Essay

Lyrics can be effective tools in an essay. You may want to cite lyrics, because a song writer says something in an eloquent way, or the excerpt solidifies a point you’re trying to make. You are allowed to quote a portion of a song under the fair use doctrine of the United States copyright law, but the law doesn’t specify exactly how many words or what percentage of a song you can use. You can use a limited portion of a song for your research paper, but it must be acknowledged though in-text citations and a listing in your works cited or reference page.

Quotations and In-Text Citations

When incorporating lyrics into an essay, put the lyrics inside quotation marks. Short quotations can be integrated into a sentence, such as, “In the song ‘Hey Jude,’ the Beatles sing…” followed by the lyrics in quotation marks.

Long quotations, or those that are four lines or longer, need to be set off in a block quote, where you indent the entire quote from the paragraph above it. To cite the lyrics in Modern Language Association format, write the artists’ name in parentheses, such as (The Beatles), followed by the ending punctuation.

To cite in American Psychological Association format, include the artist, copyright date and track number in parentheses, such as (The Beatles, 1968, track 1). Note the comma between the artist and year and between the year and track number.

Reference List

Include the details of the recording in your works cited or references page. In MLA format, include the artist’s name, song title, album name, name of the recording manufacturer, publication date and the sound recording medium, for example:

The Beatles. “Hey Jude.” Hey Jude: The U. S. Album (italicized). Capitol, 2014. CD.

Citing this recording in APA style is slightly different, so follow the example:

The Beatles. (2014). Hey Jude. On Hey Jude: The U. S. Album (italicize the album name) [CD]. Los Angeles: Capitol (Recorded 1968).

• Purdue Online Writing Lab: In-Text Citations: The Basics
• Williams College Libraries: Media
• U. S. Copyright Office: Can I Use Someone Else's Work? Can Someone Else Use Mine?
• U. S. Copyright Office: Fair Use
• Purdue Online Writing Lab: MLA Works Cited: Other Common Sources
• Purdue Online Writing Lab: Reference List: Other Non-Print Sources

Cara Batema is a musician, teacher and writer who specializes in early childhood, special needs and psychology. Since 2010, Batema has been an active writer in the fields of education, parenting, science and health. She holds a bachelor's degree in music therapy and creative writing.

How do I quote lyrics from a duet in which the performers take turns singing?

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

How you quote lyrics from a duet depends on how you accessed them and how many lines you are borrowing.

If you quote lyrics from a printed source—such as liner notes, a website, or video captions—and borrow fewer than three lines at a time from the song, you can run the quotations into your text. You can make clear in your prose which performer is singing which lines and key your in-text citation to the first element of your works-cited-list entry. In the example below, the prose makes clear that Jamie Foxx sings one line of the song “Pop Goes the Weasel” and that James Corden sings another. A short title provided in parentheses— Public Domain —keys to the first element of the works-cited-list entry:

In a segment of The Late Late Show with James Corden , Jamie Foxx and James Corden sing a variety of songs in the public domain. For the opening song, “Pop Goes the Weasel, ” Jamie Foxx sings, “Round and round the mulberry bush / The monkey chased the weasel,” and James Corden continues, “The monkey stopped to pull up his sock / Pop goes the weasel” ( Public Domain ). Work Cited Public Domain Songs w/ Jamie Foxx. YouTube , uploaded by  The Late Late Show with James Corden , 6 Jan. 2017, www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=150&v=bW0E_sncNic. Closed captions.

If you are citing more than three lines at a time from the song, set the lyrics as a block quotation. Follow the guidelines in the  MLA Handbook  for citing drama (1.3.4) and include each singer’s name in all capital letters followed by a period before the singer’s words:

In a segment of   The Late Late Show with James Corden , Jamie Foxx and James Corden sing a variety of songs in the public domain. For the opening song, “Pop Goes the Weasel, ” Foxx and Corden sing the following lines: FOXX. Round and round the mulberry bush The monkey chased the weasel. CORDEN. The monkey stopped to pull up his sock Pop goes the weasel. FOXX. I’ve got no time to plead and pine I’ve got no time to wheedle.  CORDEN. Kiss me quick and then I’m gone And pop goes the weasel.

If you quote lyrics from a duet you listened to and borrow fewer than three lines at a time, you can run the quotations into your text as you would when you are citing a printed source. If you quote more than three lines at a time, set them as a block quotation. Again, you can make clear in your prose which singer is singing which lines, or you can adapt the handbook’s guidelines for citing drama and insert the singers’ names enclosed in brackets to indicate that you have supplied the singers’ names:

In a segment of The Late Late Show with James Corden , Jamie Foxx and James Corden sing a variety of songs in the public domain. For the opening song, “Pop Goes the Weasel, ” Foxx and Corden sing the following lines: [FOXX.] Round and round the mulberry bush The monkey chased the weasel. [CORDEN.] The monkey stopped to pull up his sock Pop goes the weasel. [FOXX.] I’ve got no time to plead and pine I’ve got no time to wheedle. [CORDEN.] Kiss me quick and then I’m gone And pop goes the weasel. Work Cited Public Domain Songs w/ Jamie Foxx. YouTube , uploaded by  The Late Late Show with James Corden , 6 Jan. 2017, www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=150&v=bW0E_sncNic.

Read more about citing song lyrics .

MLA Handbook . 8th ed., Modern Language Association of America, 2016.

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• Writing Tips

How to Cite a Song or Album in MLA Referencing

3-minute read

• 7th April 2021

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Musical Recordings in an MLA Works Cited List

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

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

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

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Example References

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

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

Song on an Album

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

Album on a Streaming Service

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

Single Song Online

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

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

Expert MLA Referencing Proofreading

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

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How to Cite Song Lyrics in Different Formats With Examples

11 December 2023

last updated

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

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

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

How to Cite Song Lyrics in MLA 9

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

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

Citation scheme for song lyrics in MLA 9:

• (Name Time)

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

• (Knowles-Carter 2:00-3:01)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

3. MLA Footnote for Song Lyrics

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

Footnote example for song lyrics in MLA 9:

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

How to Cite Song Lyrics in APA 7

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

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

Citation schemes for song lyrics in APA 7:

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

Parenthetical citation sample for song lyrics in APA 7:

• (Knowles-Carter, 2009)

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

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

2. Reference Entry for Song Lyrics in APA 7

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

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

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

3. APA Footnote for Song Lyrics

The following is an example of a possible footnote.

Footnote example for song lyrics in APA 7:

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

How to Cite Song Lyrics in Chicago/Turabian

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

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

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

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

In-text citation scheme:

• (Artist Date)

Actual in-text citation:

• (Knowles-Carter 2009)

2. Bibliography Entry for Song Lyrics in Chicago/Turabian

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

Bibliography scheme for song lyrics in Chicago/Turabian:

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

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

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

3. Chicago/Turabian Footnote for Song Lyrics

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

Footnote scheme for song lyrics in Chicago/Turabian:

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

Example of a Chicago/Turabian footnote for song lyrics:

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

How to Cite Song Lyrics in Harvard

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

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

Citation schemes for song lyrics in Harvard:

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

Parenthetical citation sample for song lyrics in Harvard:

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

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

2. Reference Entry for Song Lyrics in Harvard

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

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

3. Harvard Footnote for Song Lyrics

The following is an example of a possible note.

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

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

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

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Home / Guides / Citation Guides / How to Cite Sources / How to Cite a Song in APA, MLA, or Chicago

How to Cite a Song in APA, MLA, or Chicago

Music is an art form—and just as you’d analyze a poem for a literary paper or cite a painting for an art history paper, you may find yourself using a song as a source, especially if you’re enrolled in music theory courses. Here, we’ve laid out how to cite a song, so if you’re deciding whether or not to include a song in your next paper based on whether you can figure out how to cite it, go for it! Citing songs, whether you’re working off the audio recording or using written lyrics, is actually a pretty similar process to what you might have done for other kinds of citations.

Although citing a song might seem unfamiliar, there’s no need to worry. We’ve got you covered for both audio recordings and written song lyrics, whether you need to cite in MLA format ,  APA format, or Chicago style.

Citing an Audio Recording of a Song Found Online

If you’ve ever cited a movie before, you’ll discover that citing an audio recording of a song is a pretty similar process. But even if you’ve only cited text before, you should be a pro at song citations in no time! We’ve included examples of how you would cite Ed Sheeran’s “Don’t” for each of the three styles as well.

To cite an audio recording of a song, you should make note of the following pieces of information: 1. Singer’s name 2. Songwriter’s name 3. Title of the song (and subtitle, if there is one) 4. Title of the album (and subtitle, if there is one) 5. Album’s Edition (if there is one) 6. Track Number 7. Publisher 8. Year of publication 9. Website or database where the song was found 10. URL 11. The names of any other contributors

Use the following structure to cite an audio recording found online in MLA 9:

Singer’s Last Name, Singer’s First Name. “Title of the Song.” Title of the Album , album’s ed., Publisher, Year of publication, track number. Website or Database Name , URL (remove http:// or https://).

Here’s how the above example would be cited in MLA 9 :

Sheeran, Ed. “Don’t.” X , deluxe ed., Asylum Records, 2014, track 4. Spotify , play.spotify.com/track/34gCuhDGsG4bRPIf9bb02f?play=true&utm_source=open.spotify.com&utm_medium=open.

Here’s how the above example would be cited in an in-text citation:

(Singer’s Last Name)

Use the following structure to cite an audio recording in APA format:

Songwriter’s Last Name, Songwriter’s First Initial. (Year of publication). Title of the song [Recorded by Singer’s First Initial, Singer’s Last Name if different from writer*]. On Title of the album [Audio file]. Retrieved from URL

*Do not include the information in the brackets if the name of the songwriter is the same person as the singer or performer.

Here’s how the above example would be cited in APA:

Sheeran, E. (2014). Don’t. On X. [Audio file]. Retrieved from https://play.spotify.com/track/34gCuhDGsG4bRPIf9bb02f?play=true&utm_source=open.spotify.com&utm_medium=open

Use the following structure to cite an audio recording in Chicago:

Singer’s Last name, Singer’s First name. Title of the Song. Publisher, Year of publication, Accessed Month Day, Year. URL.

Here’s how the above example would be cited in Chicago:

Sheeran, Ed. Don’t. Asylum Records, 2014, Accessed June 5, 2017. https://play.spotify.com/track/34gCuhDGsG4bRPIf9bb02f?play=true&utm_source=open.spotify.com&utm_medium=open.

Citing Song Lyrics Found Online

Citing written song lyrics is pretty similar to citing an audio recording, but if you’re used to mostly citing written work, you may find this procedure a bit easier since you’re citing words off a page rather than audio. Here, we’ve cited “Imagine,” a song by John Lennon which you’ve surely heard before—and one which could be the subject of rich analysis for your next paper.

To cite written song lyrics, you should make note of the following pieces of information: 1. Singer’s name 2. Songwriter’s name 3. Title of the song (and subtitle, if there is one) 4. Title of the album (and subtitle, if there is one) 5. Album’s Edition (if there is one) 6. Track number 7. Publisher 8. Year of publication 9. Website or Database where the lyrics were found 10. URL 11. The names of any other contributors

Use the following structure to cite written song lyrics in MLA 9:

Songwriter’s Last Name, First Name. Lyrics to “Title of the Song.” Names of other contributors, Album’s Publisher, Year of publication. Name of Website, URL.

Here’s how the above example would be cited in MLA 9:

Lennon, John. Lyrics to “Imagine.” Performed by John Lennon, Ascot Sound Studios, 1971. Genius, genius.com/John-lennon-imagine-lyrics.

Use the following structure to cite written song lyrics in APA format :

Songwriter(s) Last Name, Songwriter(s) First Initial. (Year of publication). Title of song [Lyrics]. Retrieved from URL

Lennon, J. (1971). Imagine [Lyrics]. Retrieved from https://genius.com/John-lennon-imagine-lyrics

Use the following structure to cite an written song lyrics in Chicago:

Singer’s Last Name, Singer’s First Name. “Title of the song.” Name of Website. Accessed Month Day, Year. URL.

Lennon, John. “Imagine.” Genius. Accessed June 5, 2017. https://genius.com/John-lennon-imagine-lyrics.

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To cite a song or music in MLA, it is helpful to know information including the song title, contributor names, and production details. The templates and examples below are based on the MLA Handbook , 9th edition.

In-text citation and works cited list entry examples for a song by a single artist are given below:

In-text citation template and example:

Artist Surname

Parenthetical:

(Artist Surname)

Works cited entry template and example:

Surname, First M. “Song Title.” Album Title , relevant contributor information, Production/Record Company, Year Released.

Grande, Ariana. “Moonlight.” Dangerous Women , Republic Records, 2016.

The in-text citation does not include the release year. The surname alone is used in the in-text citations.

The song title should be enclosed in double quotation marks. If the song is part of an album, the album title should be included. Any additional contributors, the name of the record company, and the year the song was released should also be part of the works cited entry.

To cite song lyrics, include the following details: the lyricist/artist’s last name, year, song’s title, title of the album, medium, producer, and URL if applicable.

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How to cite a song in MLA

Here are two forms to cite a song depending on where you accessed it. The first one is for songs on CDs, vinyls, cassettes, etc. Variant B is for songs available on streaming platforms or online.

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To cite a song in a reference entry in MLA style 9th edition include the following elements:

• Artist(s) name: Give the name of the artist, or band name in full.
• Title of the song: Titles are italicized when independent. If part of a larger source add quotation marks and do not italize.
• Name of the album: Container titles are italicized and followed by a comma.
• Publisher: If the name of an academic press contains the words University and Press, use UP e.g. Oxford UP instead of Oxford University Press. If the word "University" doesn't appear, spell out the Press e.g. MIT Press.
• year of release: Give the year of publication as presented in the source.
• Song format: Describe the song format, e.g: CD, Vinyl, etc.

Here is the basic format for a reference list entry of a song in MLA style 9th edition:

Artist(s) name . " Title of the song ." Name of the album , Publisher , year of release . Song format .

Song accessed online:

• Music platform: Give the title of the music platform, e.g. Spotify, Soundcloud, etc.
• Publisher: Give the name of the publishing company if available
• Year of release: Give the year of publication as presented in the source.
• URL: Copy URL in full from your browser, include http:// or https:// and do not list URLs created by shortening services.

Artist(s) name . " Title of the song ." Music platform , Publisher , Year of release , URL .

Take a look at our works cited examples that demonstrate the MLA style guidelines in action:

A song by a band retrieved from a CD

Florence + the Machine . " Hunger ." High as Hope , Virgin EMI , 2018 . CD .

A song by a band retrieved from a streaming platform

Beyoncé . " Pretty Hurts ." Beyoncé , Parkwood Entertainment , 2013 , https://www.beyonce.com/album/beyonce/?media_view=songs .

MLA in-text citation of a song

Audio-visual material uses the specific time of the audio/video for in-text citations.

(Last name time) or (Short form of title time) .

The chorus of the song shows characteristic tunes of indie music (Florence 00:01:43-00:2:20) .

This citation style guide is based on the MLA Handbook (9 th edition).

More useful guides

• How do I cite a song?
• MLA Works Cited: Other Common Sources
• Citation Help for MLA, 8th Edition: Music Albums & Songs

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• Harvard: how to cite a newspaper article

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How to Quote a Song Lyric: Tips and Guidelines

Quoting song lyrics can add depth and emotion to any written work, whether it be an essay, a blog post, or a social media caption. However, it is important to properly cite the lyrics to give credit to the songwriter and avoid any issues with copyright infringement. In this step-by-step guide, we will walk you through the process of quoting a song lyric

Step 1: Choose the song and lyric

Start by selecting a song and lyric that best fits your content and resonates with your audience. Make sure to consider the message, tone, and theme of the lyric, as well as its relevance to your topic. Whether you are discussing love, heartbreak, or empowerment, there is a song lyric out there that can enhance your writing.

Step 2: Provide context

Before quoting the song lyric, it is essential to provide some context for your readers. This can be done by briefly explaining the song’s title, artist, and any relevant background information that will help your audience understand the meaning behind the lyric.

Step 3: Use quotation marks

When quoting a song lyric, it is crucial to use quotation marks to indicate that the words belong to someone else. This not only shows respect to the songwriter but also helps differentiate the lyric from your own writing. Enclose the lyric within double quotation marks (“”) to make it clear that you are borrowing someone else’s words.

Note: If the lyric is longer than four lines, it should be presented as a blockquote.

Step 4: Include the songwriter’s name

To properly give credit to the songwriter, it is important to include their name in the citation. This can be done immediately after the quoted lyric, using the format “Song Title” by Artist Name. Including the songwriter’s name not only acknowledges their creative work but also helps readers easily find and connect with the song.

By following these steps, you can effectively quote song lyrics in your writing, adding a touch of musicality and emotion to your work. Just remember to always give credit where credit is due and be mindful of copyright laws.

Table of Contents

Choose the Perfect Lyrics

When choosing lyrics to quote, it’s important to consider the context and message of the song, as well as its relevance to your own topic or theme. Here are some steps to help you choose the perfect lyrics:

• Think about the theme: Consider the main theme or topic of your article and look for lyrics that align with it. Whether it’s love, heartbreak, empowerment, or any other theme, finding lyrics that capture the essence of your message will make your quote more impactful.
• Consider the artist’s intention: Take into account the artist’s intention and the meaning behind the lyrics. Look up the song’s background and explore the artist’s interviews or statements to understand their perspective. This will help you ensure that the quote accurately represents the intended message.
• Look for memorable lines: Look for lyrics that are memorable and have a strong impact on listeners. Lines that are catchy, thought-provoking, or emotionally charged can make your quote more engaging and resonant with your readers.
• Avoid cliches: Try to avoid using lyrics that are overused or too generic. While some popular songs may have great lyrics, quotes from such songs may lack originality. Look for lyrics that are unique and add a fresh perspective to your article.
• Keep it relevant: Ensure that the lyrics you choose are relevant to your topic and add value to your article. The quote should enhance your message and provide insights or emotional connection for your readers.

Remember, selecting the perfect lyrics for a quote is subjective, and what may resonate with one person may not have the same impact on another. Trust your instincts and choose lyrics that truly speak to you and align with the purpose of your article.

Understand Copyright Laws

• Research Copyright Ownership: Before quoting song lyrics, it is important to determine who owns the copyright for the song. This information can typically be found by conducting a search on websites like the United States Copyright Office or by reaching out to the artist or their representatives directly.
• Familiarize Yourself with Fair Use: Fair use is a legal doctrine that allows for the limited use of copyrighted material without obtaining permission from the copyright owner. However, the use of song lyrics in your own work may not always qualify as fair use. It is important to familiarize yourself with the specific guidelines and limitations outlined by your country’s copyright law.
• Obtain Proper Licensing: If your use of song lyrics does not fall under fair use, it is important to obtain the proper licensing or permissions from the copyright owner. This usually involves contacting the music publisher and negotiating the terms for usage.
• Give Proper Attribution: When quoting song lyrics, it is essential to give proper attribution to the original artist. This includes mentioning the artist’s name, song title, and album (if applicable), as well as any other relevant information that will help readers identify the source of the lyric.
• Avoid Infringement: It is important to respect the rights of copyright owners and avoid infringing on their intellectual property. This means refraining from using song lyrics without permission or outside the bounds of fair use. Engaging in copyright infringement can lead to legal consequences.

Understanding copyright laws is crucial when quoting song lyrics. By researching ownership, familiarizing yourself with fair use, obtaining proper licensing, giving proper attribution, and avoiding infringement, you can navigate the legal aspects of using song lyrics in your writing.

Determine the Correct Format

When quoting a song lyric, it’s important to use the correct format to properly attribute the lyric to the artist and the song. There are a few different formats you can use depending on the citation style that you are following.

1. MLA Format:

In MLA format, you would typically use parenthetical citations within the body of your paper. The general format for citing a song lyric in MLA is:

• List the name of the song in quotation marks.
• List the name of the artist or band in parentheses.
• List the album or soundtrack title in italics.
• List the name of the label or publisher.
• List the year of release.

2. APA Format:

In APA format, you would use an in-text citation within the body of your paper. The general format for citing a song lyric in APA is:

For example: “Bohemian Rhapsody” (Queen, 1975).

3. Chicago/Turabian Format:

In Chicago/Turabian format, you would typically use footnotes or endnotes to cite your sources. The general format for citing a song lyric in Chicago/Turabian is:

• List the name of the artist or band.

For example:

1. Queen, “Bohemian Rhapsody,” A Night at the Opera (EMI, 1975).

By following the correct format for your citation style, you can ensure that you are properly and accurately quoting a song lyric in your work.

Include the Artist’s Name

When quoting a song lyric, it’s important to include the artist’s name, as they are the original creator of the lyrics. This gives credit to the artist and shows respect for their work. Here’s how you can include the artist’s name when quoting a song lyric:

• Introduce the artist: Before quoting the lyric, mention the artist’s name. You can do this by simply stating their name or by adding some context about their work.
• Use quotation marks: Place quotation marks around the song lyric you are quoting. This sets it apart from your own writing and indicates that it is a direct quote.
• Cite the source: Provide information about the song you are quoting from, such as the album title, release date, or the streaming platform where it can be found. This helps readers to locate the original source if they want to listen to the song or find more information about it.

Here’s an example of how to quote a song lyric while including the artist’s name:

In this example, we have included both the song lyric and the artist’s name. We have also mentioned the album and the year it was released, providing additional context for the reader.

Remember, including the artist’s name when quoting a song lyric is essential for giving credit where it’s due and maintaining the integrity of the original work.

Add Proper Punctuation

Once you have selected the song lyric you want to quote and have determined it is copyright-friendly to use, it’s important to add proper punctuation when incorporating it into your writing. This helps to clearly distinguish the lyrics from the rest of your text.

Here are some tips on how to add proper punctuation when quoting a song lyric:

• Quotation Marks: Enclose the song lyric in double quotation marks. For example, “I wanna dance with somebody”.
• Italicize or Use Quotation Marks for Styling: Depending on your writing style guide, you may choose to italicize the song lyric instead of using quotation marks. If italics are not an option, quotation marks work just as well.
• Punctuation within the Lyric: If the original song lyric already contains punctuation marks, such as commas or exclamation points, retain them in your quotation. For example, “I’ve got the eye of the tiger!”
• End Punctuation: If the song lyric is a complete sentence, end the quotation with the appropriate end punctuation, such as a period or question mark. If the song lyric is not a complete sentence, leave it open-ended without any end punctuation.
• Ellipses: If you are omitting parts of the song lyric in your quotation, use an ellipsis (…) to indicate the missing text. However, be careful to not change the meaning or intent of the lyric by omitting essential words or phrases.

Remember, proper punctuation helps to maintain clarity and accuracy when quoting a song lyric. By following these guidelines, you can effectively incorporate song lyrics into your writing while still respecting copyright laws.

Use Quotation Marks or Italics

When quoting song lyrics in your writing, you have two options for formatting – you can use quotation marks or italics. Which option you choose depends on the style guide you are following and your personal preference.

If you choose to use quotation marks, enclose the lyrics within double quotation marks (” “). This is the most commonly used method and is recommended by the Modern Language Association (MLA) style guide. For example:

According to the song “Imagine” by John Lennon, “You may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one.”

If you prefer to use italics, you can format the song lyrics by italicizing them. This method is recommended by the American Psychological Association (APA) style guide. For example:

According to the song Imagine by John Lennon, “You may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one.”

No matter which formatting option you choose, it is important to be consistent throughout your writing. Stick to your chosen method for all song lyrics you quote in your article or paper.

Additionally, when using quotation marks or italics for song lyrics, it is important to include proper citation information. This includes the artist’s name, the song title, and the album or release it can be found on. You can include this information in a parenthetical citation or in a footnote, depending on the style guide you are following.

Provide Context or Explanation

When quoting a song lyric, it is important to provide some context or explanation to help your readers understand the significance of the quote. This can be done in a few different ways:

• Introduce the song and artist: Before quoting the lyric, provide the name of the song and the artist who performed it. This will give your readers some background information and help them connect with the quote.
• Explain the meaning: If the lyric has a deeper meaning or relates to a specific theme or event, take a moment to explain it. This will help your readers understand why you chose to quote that particular lyric and what it adds to your argument or story.
• Provide historical or cultural context: Some song lyrics are heavily influenced by the time period or culture in which they were written. If this is the case, provide some context to help your readers understand the significance of the quote in relation to the song’s historical or cultural context.

By providing context or explanation, you are not only helping your readers understand the quote better, but also showing that you have thoughtfully chosen the lyric and are using it purposefully in your writing.

Give Credit to the Song

When quoting a song lyric, it is important to give credit to the song and its original creator. This not only shows respect for the artist, but also acknowledges the source of the lyric.

Here are a few guidelines to follow when giving credit to the song in your quotation:

• Include the Song Title: Begin by mentioning the title of the song in which the lyric is from. This helps readers identify the song and creates a proper context.
• Provide the Artist’s Name: After mentioning the song title, include the name of the artist or band who performed the song. This adds credibility and acknowledges the original creator.
• Use Quotation Marks or Italics: To indicate that you are quoting a specific lyric from the song, use either quotation marks or italics. This helps differentiate the lyric from the rest of your text.
• Credit the Album: If possible, include the name of the album on which the song appears. This provides more information about the song and helps readers locate the original recording if they are interested.

Here is an example of how to properly give credit to a song lyric:

Remember, giving credit to the song is essential when quoting a lyric. It ensures that the original artist is recognized for their work and helps readers connect the lyric to the song it belongs to.

Question and answer:

What is the purpose of quoting a song lyric.

The purpose of quoting a song lyric is to reference and give credit to the original artist or songwriter, and to enhance your own work with the power and emotion of the lyrics.

How do I properly format a song lyric quote in my writing?

When formatting a song lyric quote in your writing, you should use quotation marks around the lyrics and include the name of the artist or songwriter, the song title, and the album it is from. You should also follow any specific formatting guidelines provided by your instructor or style guide.

Can I quote a song lyric without permission?

In most cases, quoting a song lyric in your writing falls under fair use, which means you can do so without obtaining permission. However, it is important to use only a small portion of the song and to provide proper attribution to the artist or songwriter.

What are some examples of properly quoting a song lyric?

Examples of properly quoting a song lyric include: “I’m a survivor, I’m not gonna give up” (Beyoncé, “Survivor”, Destiny’s Child) and “Imagine all the people living life in peace” (John Lennon, “Imagine”, Imagine). These examples show the use of quotation marks, the artist or songwriter’s name, and the song title.

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

• 2 Academic Integrity
• 48 Academic writing
• 42 APA Style
• 33 APA Style: Formatting
• 109 APA Style: In-text citations
• 107 APA Style: References
• 18 Legal citations
• 16 Paraphrasing
• 10 Punctuation
• 25 Quotations
• 17 Writing Centre information
• 64 Writing Centre resources

Answered By: Theresa Bell (she/her/hers) Last Updated: Nov 02, 2021     Views: 146196

APA Style (7th ed.)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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MLA In-Text Citations: The Basics

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Copyright ©1995-2018 by The Writing Lab & The OWL at Purdue and Purdue University. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, reproduced, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our terms and conditions of fair use.

Guidelines for referring to the works of others in your text using MLA style are covered throughout the  MLA Handbook  and in chapter 7 of the  MLA Style Manual . Both books provide extensive examples, so it's a good idea to consult them if you want to become even more familiar with MLA guidelines or if you have a particular reference question.

Basic in-text citation rules

In MLA Style, referring to the works of others in your text is done using parenthetical citations . This method involves providing relevant source information in parentheses whenever a sentence uses a quotation or paraphrase. Usually, the simplest way to do this is to put all of the source information in parentheses at the end of the sentence (i.e., just before the period). However, as the examples below will illustrate, there are situations where it makes sense to put the parenthetical elsewhere in the sentence, or even to leave information out.

General Guidelines

• The source information required in a parenthetical citation depends (1) upon the source medium (e.g. print, web, DVD) and (2) upon the source’s entry on the Works Cited page.
• Any source information that you provide in-text must correspond to the source information on the Works Cited page. More specifically, whatever signal word or phrase you provide to your readers in the text must be the first thing that appears on the left-hand margin of the corresponding entry on the Works Cited page.

In-text citations: Author-page style

MLA format follows the author-page method of in-text citation. This means that the author's last name and the page number(s) from which the quotation or paraphrase is taken must appear in the text, and a complete reference should appear on your Works Cited page. The author's name may appear either in the sentence itself or in parentheses following the quotation or paraphrase, but the page number(s) should always appear in the parentheses, not in the text of your sentence. For example:

Both citations in the examples above, (263) and (Wordsworth 263), tell readers that the information in the sentence can be located on page 263 of a work by an author named Wordsworth. If readers want more information about this source, they can turn to the Works Cited page, where, under the name of Wordsworth, they would find the following information:

Wordsworth, William. Lyrical Ballads . Oxford UP, 1967.

In-text citations for print sources with known author

For print sources like books, magazines, scholarly journal articles, and newspapers, provide a signal word or phrase (usually the author’s last name) and a page number. If you provide the signal word/phrase in the sentence, you do not need to include it in the parenthetical citation.

These examples must correspond to an entry that begins with Burke, which will be the first thing that appears on the left-hand margin of an entry on the Works Cited page:

Burke, Kenneth. Language as Symbolic Action: Essays on Life, Literature, and Method . University of California Press, 1966.

In-text citations for print sources by a corporate author

When a source has a corporate author, it is acceptable to use the name of the corporation followed by the page number for the in-text citation. You should also use abbreviations (e.g., nat'l for national) where appropriate, so as to avoid interrupting the flow of reading with overly long parenthetical citations.

In-text citations for sources with non-standard labeling systems

If a source uses a labeling or numbering system other than page numbers, such as a script or poetry, precede the citation with said label. When citing a poem, for instance, the parenthetical would begin with the word “line”, and then the line number or range. For example, the examination of William Blake’s poem “The Tyger” would be cited as such:

The speaker makes an ardent call for the exploration of the connection between the violence of nature and the divinity of creation. “In what distant deeps or skies. / Burnt the fire of thine eyes," they ask in reference to the tiger as they attempt to reconcile their intimidation with their relationship to creationism (lines 5-6).

Longer labels, such as chapters (ch.) and scenes (sc.), should be abbreviated.

In-text citations for print sources with no known author

When a source has no known author, use a shortened title of the work instead of an author name, following these guidelines.

Place the title in quotation marks if it's a short work (such as an article) or italicize it if it's a longer work (e.g. plays, books, television shows, entire Web sites) and provide a page number if it is available.

Titles longer than a standard noun phrase should be shortened into a noun phrase by excluding articles. For example, To the Lighthouse would be shortened to Lighthouse .

If the title cannot be easily shortened into a noun phrase, the title should be cut after the first clause, phrase, or punctuation:

In this example, since the reader does not know the author of the article, an abbreviated title appears in the parenthetical citation, and the full title of the article appears first at the left-hand margin of its respective entry on the Works Cited page. Thus, the writer includes the title in quotation marks as the signal phrase in the parenthetical citation in order to lead the reader directly to the source on the Works Cited page. The Works Cited entry appears as follows:

"The Impact of Global Warming in North America." Global Warming: Early Signs . 1999. www.climatehotmap.org/. Accessed 23 Mar. 2009.

If the title of the work begins with a quotation mark, such as a title that refers to another work, that quote or quoted title can be used as the shortened title. The single quotation marks must be included in the parenthetical, rather than the double quotation.

Parenthetical citations and Works Cited pages, used in conjunction, allow readers to know which sources you consulted in writing your essay, so that they can either verify your interpretation of the sources or use them in their own scholarly work.

Author-page citation for classic and literary works with multiple editions

Page numbers are always required, but additional citation information can help literary scholars, who may have a different edition of a classic work, like Marx and Engels's  The Communist Manifesto . In such cases, give the page number of your edition (making sure the edition is listed in your Works Cited page, of course) followed by a semicolon, and then the appropriate abbreviations for volume (vol.), book (bk.), part (pt.), chapter (ch.), section (sec.), or paragraph (par.). For example:

Author-page citation for works in an anthology, periodical, or collection

When you cite a work that appears inside a larger source (for instance, an article in a periodical or an essay in a collection), cite the author of the  internal source (i.e., the article or essay). For example, to cite Albert Einstein's article "A Brief Outline of the Theory of Relativity," which was published in  Nature  in 1921, you might write something like this:

See also our page on documenting periodicals in the Works Cited .

Citing authors with same last names

Sometimes more information is necessary to identify the source from which a quotation is taken. For instance, if two or more authors have the same last name, provide both authors' first initials (or even the authors' full name if different authors share initials) in your citation. For example:

Citing a work by multiple authors

For a source with two authors, list the authors’ last names in the text or in the parenthetical citation:

Corresponding Works Cited entry:

Best, David, and Sharon Marcus. “Surface Reading: An Introduction.” Representations , vol. 108, no. 1, Fall 2009, pp. 1-21. JSTOR, doi:10.1525/rep.2009.108.1.1

For a source with three or more authors, list only the first author’s last name, and replace the additional names with et al.

Franck, Caroline, et al. “Agricultural Subsidies and the American Obesity Epidemic.” American Journal of Preventative Medicine , vol. 45, no. 3, Sept. 2013, pp. 327-333.

Citing multiple works by the same author

If you cite more than one work by an author, include a shortened title for the particular work from which you are quoting to distinguish it from the others. Put short titles of books in italics and short titles of articles in quotation marks.

Citing two articles by the same author :

Citing two books by the same author :

Additionally, if the author's name is not mentioned in the sentence, format your citation with the author's name followed by a comma, followed by a shortened title of the work, and, when appropriate, the page number(s):

Citing multivolume works

If you cite from different volumes of a multivolume work, always include the volume number followed by a colon. Put a space after the colon, then provide the page number(s). (If you only cite from one volume, provide only the page number in parentheses.)

Citing the Bible

In your first parenthetical citation, you want to make clear which Bible you're using (and underline or italicize the title), as each version varies in its translation, followed by book (do not italicize or underline), chapter, and verse. For example:

If future references employ the same edition of the Bible you’re using, list only the book, chapter, and verse in the parenthetical citation:

John of Patmos echoes this passage when describing his vision (Rev. 4.6-8).

Citing indirect sources

Sometimes you may have to use an indirect source. An indirect source is a source cited within another source. For such indirect quotations, use "qtd. in" to indicate the source you actually consulted. For example:

Note that, in most cases, a responsible researcher will attempt to find the original source, rather than citing an indirect source.

Citing transcripts, plays, or screenplays

Sources that take the form of a dialogue involving two or more participants have special guidelines for their quotation and citation. Each line of dialogue should begin with the speaker's name written in all capitals and indented half an inch. A period follows the name (e.g., JAMES.) . After the period, write the dialogue. Each successive line after the first should receive an additional indentation. When another person begins speaking, start a new line with that person's name indented only half an inch. Repeat this pattern each time the speaker changes. You can include stage directions in the quote if they appear in the original source.

Conclude with a parenthetical that explains where to find the excerpt in the source. Usually, the author and title of the source can be given in a signal phrase before quoting the excerpt, so the concluding parenthetical will often just contain location information like page numbers or act/scene indicators.

Here is an example from O'Neill's  The Iceman Cometh.

WILLIE. (Pleadingly) Give me a drink, Rocky. Harry said it was all right. God, I need a drink.

ROCKY. Den grab it. It's right under your nose.

WILLIE. (Avidly) Thanks. (He takes the bottle with both twitching hands and tilts it to his lips and gulps down the whiskey in big swallows.) (1.1)

Citing non-print or sources from the Internet

With more and more scholarly work published on the Internet, you may have to cite sources you found in digital environments. While many sources on the Internet should not be used for scholarly work (reference the OWL's  Evaluating Sources of Information  resource), some Web sources are perfectly acceptable for research. When creating in-text citations for electronic, film, or Internet sources, remember that your citation must reference the source on your Works Cited page.

Sometimes writers are confused with how to craft parenthetical citations for electronic sources because of the absence of page numbers. However, these sorts of entries often do not require a page number in the parenthetical citation. For electronic and Internet sources, follow the following guidelines:

• Include in the text the first item that appears in the Work Cited entry that corresponds to the citation (e.g. author name, article name, website name, film name).
• Do not provide paragraph numbers or page numbers based on your Web browser’s print preview function.
• Unless you must list the Web site name in the signal phrase in order to get the reader to the appropriate entry, do not include URLs in-text. Only provide partial URLs such as when the name of the site includes, for example, a domain name, like  CNN.com  or  Forbes.com,  as opposed to writing out http://www.cnn.com or http://www.forbes.com.

Miscellaneous non-print sources

Two types of non-print sources you may encounter are films and lectures/presentations:

In the two examples above “Herzog” (a film’s director) and “Yates” (a presentor) lead the reader to the first item in each citation’s respective entry on the Works Cited page:

Herzog, Werner, dir. Fitzcarraldo . Perf. Klaus Kinski. Filmverlag der Autoren, 1982.

Yates, Jane. "Invention in Rhetoric and Composition." Gaps Addressed: Future Work in Rhetoric and Composition, CCCC, Palmer House Hilton, 2002. Address.

Electronic sources

Electronic sources may include web pages and online news or magazine articles:

In the first example (an online magazine article), the writer has chosen not to include the author name in-text; however, two entries from the same author appear in the Works Cited. Thus, the writer includes both the author’s last name and the article title in the parenthetical citation in order to lead the reader to the appropriate entry on the Works Cited page (see below).

In the second example (a web page), a parenthetical citation is not necessary because the page does not list an author, and the title of the article, “MLA Formatting and Style Guide,” is used as a signal phrase within the sentence. If the title of the article was not named in the sentence, an abbreviated version would appear in a parenthetical citation at the end of the sentence. Both corresponding Works Cited entries are as follows:

Taylor, Rumsey. "Fitzcarraldo." Slant , 13 Jun. 2003, www.slantmagazine.com/film/review/fitzcarraldo/. Accessed 29 Sep. 2009. 

"MLA Formatting and Style Guide." The Purdue OWL , 2 Aug. 2016, owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/01/. Accessed 2 April 2018.

Multiple citations

To cite multiple sources in the same parenthetical reference, separate the citations by a semi-colon:

Time-based media sources

When creating in-text citations for media that has a runtime, such as a movie or podcast, include the range of hours, minutes and seconds you plan to reference. For example: (00:02:15-00:02:35).

When a citation is not needed

Common sense and ethics should determine your need for documenting sources. You do not need to give sources for familiar proverbs, well-known quotations, or common knowledge (For example, it is expected that U.S. citizens know that George Washington was the first President.). Remember that citing sources is a rhetorical task, and, as such, can vary based on your audience. If you’re writing for an expert audience of a scholarly journal, for example, you may need to deal with expectations of what constitutes “common knowledge” that differ from common norms.

Other Sources

The MLA Handbook describes how to cite many different kinds of authors and content creators. However, you may occasionally encounter a source or author category that the handbook does not describe, making the best way to proceed can be unclear.

In these cases, it's typically acceptable to apply the general principles of MLA citation to the new kind of source in a way that's consistent and sensible. A good way to do this is to simply use the standard MLA directions for a type of source that resembles the source you want to cite.

You may also want to investigate whether a third-party organization has provided directions for how to cite this kind of source. For example, Norquest College provides guidelines for citing Indigenous Elders and Knowledge Keepers⁠ —an author category that does not appear in the MLA Handbook . In cases like this, however, it's a good idea to ask your instructor or supervisor whether using third-party citation guidelines might present problems.

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• Essay Assignment

As you are working on your song essay, I wanted to give you some information on how to quote a song.  

Quot ing a Song :   Like a poem, put quotation marks around what’s being quoted, and use a slash ( / ) to indicate the end of line or verse.  Then, parenthetically cite the line number of the poem being quoted.

A generation ago, John Lennon sang about a world where people rejected materialism, war, and greed: “Imagine no possessions / I wonder if you can / No need for greed or hunger / A brotherhood of man / Imagine all the people / Sharing all the world” (7-12). Rather than focusing on this song’s plea for humanity, some critics claimed it was an atheist rant.

So, you can see that you will signal into the quote and use the slash to show a break in verses.  Once you cite verses, then you need to explain them.

Hope this helps!

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