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How to Cite a Song in MLA | Format & Examples

Published on December 3, 2020 by Jack Caulfield . Revised on June 16, 2022.

The format for citing a song in MLA depends on the medium in which you listened to it.

To cite a song accessed through an online streaming service, list the performer (or group) as author, the song title in quotation marks, the name of the site in italics, and the URL where the song can be found. Omit “the” from a band name, e.g. “Beatles,” not “the Beatles.”

If relevant, use a timestamp to indicate a specific part of the song in the in-text citation.

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Table of contents

Citing songs in physical formats, quoting lyrics, optional details to include in an mla song citation, frequently asked questions about mla citations.

To cite a song you accessed in a physical format (e.g. CD, vinyl), include details about the album (or single, EP, etc.) it appears on: the title, distributor, year, and, optionally, the format (e.g. “CD”).

This format also applies to songs you downloaded and accessed through a media player (e.g. iTunes).

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Quote lyrics from a song in a similar format to poetry : separate lines with a slash symbol, and format four or more lines quoted at once as a block quote .

If you’re quoting these lyrics from a transcript included alongside the song (e.g. in the description on YouTube, in the accompanying booklet to a CD), then you should clarify this at the end of the Works Cited entry.

MLA’s citation style is flexible; some details are not mandatory in a song citation but can be included when relevant.

For example, if your discussion focuses on the work of a particular musician, you can list them in the author position instead of the main artist, along with a description of their role. The main artist should still be listed later in the contributor slot.

Especially with classical music, it may be more relevant to cite the composer rather than the performer in the author position. You can then list the particular performer(s) and/or conductor after the title. If the particular performance is irrelevant, you might omit this information entirely.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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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, APA 7, Chicago/Turabian, and Harvard formats

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 / APA Format / How to Cite a Song in APA

How to Cite a Song in APA

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

Guide Overview

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

  • In-text citations

Reference list entry structure:

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

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

Screen Shot 2014-04-02 at 3.11.31 PM

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

In-text citation structure & example:

(Songwriter last name, Year)

(Turner, 2013)

Citing a song retrieved online

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

Reference list entry example:

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

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

Reference list entry examples:

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

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

(Recording artist last name, Year)

(Abdul, 1992)

(King Gizzard and the Wizard Lizard, 2019)

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

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

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

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

(Composer last name, Year)

(Hopkins, 1725/2011)

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

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

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

(The Rolling Stones, 1971/2015)

APA Formatting Guide

APA Formatting

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

In-text citation template and example:

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

Composer’s Surname (Publication Year)

Beyoncé (2013)

Parenthetical

(Composer’s Surname, Publication Year)

(Beyoncé, 2013)

Reference list entry template and example:

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

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

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

(Composer’s Surname, Publication Year, timestamp)

(Beyoncé, 2019, 02:36)

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

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

Last Updated: February 4, 2024 References

This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Jennifer Mueller, JD . Jennifer Mueller is a wikiHow Content Creator. She specializes in reviewing, fact-checking, and evaluating wikiHow's content to ensure thoroughness and accuracy. Jennifer holds a JD from Indiana University Maurer School of Law in 2006. There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 316,614 times. Learn more...

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

Step 1 Use the name of the performer to cite recordings.

  • 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.

Step 2 Use the name of the composer for compositions.

  • 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.

Step 3 Provide the name of the song.

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

Step 4 Include publication or recording information.

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

Step 5 List the format and method of access.

  • 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.

Step 6 Provide the name of the artist or composer for in-text citations.

  • 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")

Step 1 Start with the name of the songwriter or composer.

  • 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).

Step 2 Add the copyright year.

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

Step 3 List the title of the song.

  • 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].

Step 4 Provide the name of the album and medium.

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

Step 5 List publication or recording information.

  • 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).

Step 6 Use the songwriter, copyright year, and track number for in-text citations.

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

Using Chicago Style

Step 1 Start with the name of the songwriter or composer.

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

Step 2 List the title of the song.

  • 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.

Step 3 Provide publication or recording information.

  • 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

Step 4 List the format and access information.

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

Step 5 Use author-date style for parenthetical citations.

  • 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

Community Answer

  • 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

citing song lyrics in an essay

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Cite the WHO in APA

  • ↑ 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

Jennifer Mueller, JD

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

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how to cite a song in mla

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Are you writing an essay and want to cite a song but are unsure how to do it properly? This article will show you how to cite a song in MLA style so that your article will have an appropriate format. Whether you wish to list some track, mention its composer or performer, or if you are quoting lyrics in your essay, we want you to know the correct way to do it. This article will demonstrate how to do it with helpful examples.  Dealing with lengthy research? Don’t have time for in-depth topic exploration? Delegate all the job to top-rated experts! Buy research paper online at StudyCrumb and leave all worries behind.

MLA Song Citation

There are times when you wish to use MLA citation for a song in your essay or article. You want to do this because quoting some melody or lyrics adds quality to what you are writing abou. Still,  it is important to cite people's work properly to avoid unwanted plagiarism. Remember to check plagiarism upon paper completion for outstanding results. The way you use MLA citation for some track will vary based on how you accessed the song. The basic MLA song citation format for a source retrieved from a streaming service is:

  • performer's last name, performer's first name
  • title of song (using quotation marks)
  • website or database name( in italics)

When listing its URL, omit http:// and https:// information. If your source has a brand name with an article, you should also skip it. For example, you will go for "Rolling Stones" not "The Rolling Stones." So here is a general structure for your better understanding of how it looks:

Here’s how the above example would be cited:

However, there may be some additional information that you should include, e.g., an album. Let's learn how to format such citation below. You even can cite TED talks in your work. Just follow how to cite a TED talk MLA  guide. You will find it and many other useful blogs in our database.

How to Cite a Song From an Album in MLA

Are you citing something from an album in MLA style ? In this case, you would use some basic format above without its URL information. This will work when you are referring to some particular piece from a vinyl album.  When citing an MLA song from an album you should include some general information  such as: artist’s name, song title (using quotation marks), album title (in italics), record label, publication year. If some information about an album is unavailable, such as the record label or album name, it is acceptable not to list it. Here is a general format that applies if you want to cite a song from an album in MLA.

This is how it would be cited.

MLA in-Text Citation of a Song

When integrating in text citation mla song in your article, you would list the last name of the performer in parenthesis. If necessary, provide timestamps for lyrics you are quoting with its performer's name. In a general format It will look like this.

Here is how the above example would be cited:

Proper MLA Citation for a Song on a CD

How to cite a song from a CD in MLA style? When referencing some track from a CD, you should use a similar format as you would for any reference from an online source. Include such information as author's last name, first name, song title (using quotation marks), album name (in italics), distributor, publication year, and CD. Check a general format of citing songs of physical format here.

Here is also an example of how it will look like.

In-Text Citation for a Song From a CD in MLA

Are you citing some song in-text? When referencing some melody or lyrics from any CD, you would use the same format as you would from a vinyl album, only in the works cited section, use letters “CD” in the reference. MLA in-text citation for song should include the last name of a performer in parenthesis. Also, add timestamps of where these quoted lyrics appear. In the Works Cited section, integrate such information: performer last name, first name. Then, mention track name (using quotation marks), CD album title (in italics), publisher, publication year, CD. Check a general format of citing songs from a CD in MLA for in-text citation.

Check out our example of in-text citation:

How to Cite Song Lyrics MLA

There may be occasions when you want to know how to cite song lyrics in MLA in your article. When citing lyrics, you would put quotation marks on each side of the quoted lyrics. If necessary, use timestamps (see above) to indicate where these lyrics are within the track. It is also important to use a poetic format if you are quoting more than a few words or one line. When quoting multiple lines, use a forward slash to indicate breaks in those lyrics. Here is how it looks:

Here is an example of the above formula of how to cite song lyrics in MLA.

But do not use this guide for an interview citation. It is another source and should be cited another way. Find and read a special blog about  MLA in text citation interview .

Core Elements for MLA Song Citation

As we can see, all references in MLA style we have mentioned above contain their core elements that should be included in almost every citation. Here are essential pieces of information that are likely to be incorporated into your quotation:

  • Artist or band name
  • Title of a song
  • Title of an album
  • Album’s version
  • Track number
  • Publication details (name of the publisher of record label, year this record was released)
  • Website or database where you got this record
  • Format (e.g., CD, MP3 , vinyl.)

Final Thoughts on Citing a Song in MLA

We have looked at MLA style on how to cite a song. Referencing some track is similar to the citation format of citing an article in a periodical. Remember to include the general information such as: performer's last name, first name, a period, title in quotations, an album title italicized, publisher, and year. If you are quoting from an online source, include URL at the end of the reference. If you are quoting from any CD, put the letters “CD” at the end. If you are quoting lyrics from any record, CD, or online source, use a timestamp. When quoting lyrics, put quotation marks. Also, use the poetic style for multiple line lyric quotations.

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How to Cite a Song in MLA Style: FAQ

1. are song titles italicized in mla.

No. When MLA citing a song, titles are listed with quotation marks. Songs that you reference need to be accompanied by the source where they can be found. It is an album title that is listed in italics.

2. How to cite a song in MLA with a different writer and performer?

If you cite a song in MLA, the performer is listed as an author in most cases. If you are referencing songs from some streaming service, the performer or group is listed as an author as if you are citing some written source.

3. How do you in-text cite an audio clip in MLA?

When you cite an audio clip in MLA within your text, the performer's last name and timestamp are placed within your text in parenthesis. At the end of your article, proper MLA citation should be made of the song's origin.

4. How do you reference a concert in MLA?

When citing a live concert using MLA style, you would list the name of the performer, name of the concert (or concert tour), full date of this concert, concert venue, and city and state (and perhaps country) where this concert was performed.

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Answered By: Theresa Bell (she/her/hers) Last Updated: Nov 02, 2021     Views: 143791

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 Works Cited: Other Common Sources

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MLA (Modern Language Association) style is most commonly used to write papers and cite sources within the liberal arts and humanities. This resource, updated to reflect the MLA Handbook (8 th ed.), offers examples for the general format of MLA research papers, in-text citations, endnotes/footnotes, and the Works Cited page.

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

Use the following format for all sources:

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

An Interview

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

Personal Interviews

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

Smith, Jane. Personal interview. 19 May 2014.

Published Interviews (Print or Broadcast)

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

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

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

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

Online-only Published Interviews

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

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

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

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

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

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

Panel Discussions and Question-and-Answer Sessions

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

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

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

Published Conference Proceedings

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

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

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

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

A Painting, Sculpture, or Photograph

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A Song or Album

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

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

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

Online Album

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

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

Films or Movies

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

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

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

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

Television Shows

Recorded Television Episodes

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

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

Broadcast TV or Radio Program

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

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

Netflix, Hulu, Google Play

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

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

An Entire TV Series

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

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

A Specific Performance or Aspect of a TV Show

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

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

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

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

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

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

Spoken-Word Albums such as Comedy Albums

Treat spoken-word albums the same as musical albums.

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

Digital Files (PDFs, MP3s, JPEGs)

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

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

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

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

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

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How to Write In-Text Citations for Music Lyrics

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Lee Johnson has written for various publications and websites since 2005, covering science, music and a wide range of topics. He studies physics at the Open University, with a particular interest in quantum physics and cosmology. He's based in the UK and drinks too much tea.

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Q. How do I cite song lyrics in Chicago?

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Answered By: Katie Hutchison Last Updated: Dec 04, 2018     Views: 54000

APA and Chicago Style  

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

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

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

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

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

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

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How do I cite translated lyrics?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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All you need to know about citations

How to cite a song in Chicago

Chicago style song citation

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 Chicago style 17th edition include the following elements:

  • Artist(s) name: Write artistic names as given, e.g. 'Lady Gaga.' Reverse if it is a regular name 'Smith, Sam.'
  • Title of the song: Give the official title of the song.
  • Track number: Give the song's number in the list.
  • Title of the album: Give the title as presented in the source.
  • Publisher: Give the publisher name in full.
  • Year of publication: 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 Chicago style 17th edition:

Artist(s) name . " Title of the song ." Track number Title of the album . Publisher , Year of publication , Song format .

  • Artist(s) name: Give first the last name, then the name as presented in the source (e. g. Watson, John). For two authors, reverse only the first name, followed by ‘and’ and the second name in normal order (e. g. Watson, John, and John Watson). For more than seven authors, list the first seven names followed by et al.
  • Title of the song: Give the official title.
  • Recorded date: Give the month, day and year of publication.
  • Location: Give the place of publication of the source.
  • Song format: Describe the song format, e.g: video, audio recording, etc.
  • Length of song: Give the total length of the audio-visual source (e.g. 00:14:06).
  • URL: Give the full URL from the direct source. Include http:// or https://.

Artist(s) name . " Title of the song ." Recorded date at Location . Song format , Length of song . URL .

Take a look at our reference list examples that demonstrate the Chicago style guidelines in action:

A song by a band retrieved from a CD

Florence + the Machine . " Hunger ." Track 2 on High as Hope . Virgin EMI , 2018 , CD .

A song by a band retrieved from a YouTube video

Florence + the Machine . " Dog Days Are Over ." Recorded July 2010 at Oxegen Festival, County Kildare, Ireland . YouTube video , 7:22 . https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wiDIObd8YaI .

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This citation style guide is based on the Chicago Manual of Style (17 th edition).

More useful guides

  • How do I cite a song or album in Chicago Style?
  • How do I cite song lyrics in Chicago?
  • Citing Music Resources Using Chicago Style

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Reporting from Elmont, N.Y.

Adidas severed ties with him. His talent agency dropped him . But on Friday night, an arena on Long Island was filled with thousands of people who most certainly had not turned their backs on Ye, the artist formerly known as Kanye West.

Shortly before releasing “Vultures 1,” his first album since making a string of antisemitic remarks that cost him business deals and drew widespread condemnation, Ye previewed his new collaboration with the R&B singer Ty Dolla Sign at a listening party at UBS Arena, further testing the boundaries of his fandom with lyrics that did not tiptoe around the controversy.

“‘Crazy, bipolar, antisemite,’ and I’m still the king,” Ye raps in “King,” the final song on the LP, which drew a modest wave of cheers.

Ty Dolla Sign and Ye appeared a bit before 11 p.m. on a smoke-filled stage — at least, that was the impression, though it was hard to confirm who was there. Wearing a full mask, the rapper, designer and longtime provocateur never showed his face as he exulted in his new music, which included samples from Donna Summer’s “I Feel Love” and the Backstreet Boys (“Yeezy’s back, all right!”).

Originally slated to come out in December, delays and false starts pushed the release of “Vultures 1” to early Saturday morning, soon after the hourlong listening party had ended.

As those who showed up for Ye on Friday know, patience is a central tenet of being a fan of the rapper.

In recent years, as Ye’s behavior has careened from erratic to extreme, loyal listeners have also had to grapple with the controversial things he has done, including wearing a shirt that read “White Lives Matter” at Paris Fashion Week, posting on Twitter (now X) that he would go “death con 3 On JEWISH PEOPLE” and repeatedly accusing “Jewish media” and “Jewish Zionists” of feeding a paparazzi frenzy and canceling his shows.

“I’ve had to explain myself to a lot of people,” said Markus Phillips, 18, listing his Jewish friends and his “friends who listen to Taylor Swift” among those wondering why he has remained a fan.

“I don’t support everything that he does outside of the music, but I still acknowledge how much of a generational artist he is,” said Phillips, who had driven down from Buffalo with his friends that day for the event.

In a crowd that skewed toward Gen Z, the fans who paid $140 and up for the listening party included those who professed to be thoroughly unbothered by Ye’s actions — “Doesn’t affect me,” one 18-year-old from New Jersey said with a shrug — and those who were struggling to reconcile the artist they have loved since his first studio album, “The College Dropout,” with the one who said “I do love Hitler” on a talk show with the conspiracy theorist Alex Jones.

“Is he saying it because he means it, or is he saying it because he just likes to be controversial?” asked Jack Urig, a 20-year-old waiter from New Jersey who was wearing a lavender hoodie that he received for donating to Ye’s 2020 presidential campaign as a teenager.

“Separating the art from the artist” was a common refrain among those who lined up before doors opened, as were speculations about the role that mental health played in Ye’s behavior. (He has said he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder .) Some preferred to believe that it was all a performance or some sort of attention-grabbing marketing ploy, pointing to his statement of apology to the Jewish community — posted in Hebrew — that was released late last year , as he was preparing to drop new music.

“It was not my intention to offend or demean, and I deeply regret any pain I may have caused,” Ye said in the post, writing that he was “committed to starting with myself and learning from this experience to ensure greater sensitivity and understanding in the future.”

The lyrics in the new album hardly communicate the same kind of contrition. In the song “Stars,” he raps that he keeps “a few Jews on the staff now.” An infamous line from “Vultures,” the track he released last year in which he raps that he can’t be antisemitic if he had sex with a Jewish woman, was one of the best known in the arena. The music cut out for the verse so the crowd could shout it themselves.

In an album that encompasses gospel-infused house, R&B and trap, Ye features a long panel of collaborators, including Quavo, Playboi Carti, Chris Brown, Lil Durk and for one verse, Ye’s daughter North West, who appeared at the first listening party in Chicago on Thursday. Ye’s verses often confront the drama over his reputation over the past few years, presenting himself as emerging triumphant despite his detractors. (“I burned eight billion to take off my chains,” he raps in “Burn.” )

Whether or not the mainstream music industry will be willing to recognize Ye’s new music remains a question. Even before the antisemitic remarks that lost him lucrative fashion deals with Adidas, Gap and Balenciaga, the Grammys had dropped Ye as a performer for the 2022 award show, citing his erratic and troubling public behavior, which, at the time, included the release of an animated music video that portrayed the kidnapping and burial of a figure who looked a lot like Pete Davidson, the comedian who had been dating Kim Kardashian, Ye’s former wife.

At the arena on Friday, many fans said they found it hard to disentangle Ye from the musical nostalgia of their childhoods — and from their closets.

Wearing Yeezy sneakers to the show, Mahatub Ahmed, 27, said he had 11 more pairs at home, and asked, “What do they want me to do? Throw them away, burn them?” Friends and family have wondered why he doesn’t change his social media handles that play on “Yeezus,” the name of the rapper’s sixth solo album, but he rebuffs them.

For Shareef Rashid, 47 — who attended with his 13-year-old son Jair, a much newer fan — his relationship with Ye is largely steeped in the past. He said he was first drawn to Ye’s 2007 album “Graduation,” with its creative soul samples and lyrics that resonated with him as a young, middle-class Black man of roughly the same age as Ye.

A rapper himself in his free time, Rashid recently posted a snippet of a song in which he says he misses “the first four Kanyes,” and raps of the star: “Put America on blast with everything you say/Now you just talk because and it don’t feel the same way/I hope you are OK.”

But there will always be a segment of Ye’s fan base for which the calculus is much simpler: Whatever he says, whatever he does, they will stand by him.

Waiting in line to buy merch, Kiara Fuller, 23, who considers herself a dedicated Ye fan, wondered aloud whether the person behind the mask onstage that night would be, in fact, Ye.

“We were on the way here and I was thinking, wouldn’t it be the funniest prank if it wasn’t even him out there, and he just has a random person doing it?” she said in a gaggle of her friends.

After traveling past the outskirts of Queens and waiting hours for a problematic fave , wouldn’t such a stunt be the final indignity?

“Eh,” Fuller said and shrugged, “just got to see it through.”

Julia Jacobs is a general assignment reporter who often covers legal issues in arts and culture. More about Julia Jacobs

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  1. 020 How To Quote Lyrics In An Essay Mla Example ~ Thatsnotus

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  2. How to Cite Song Lyrics in Different Formats With Examples

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  3. 020 How To Quote Lyrics In An Essay Mla Example ~ Thatsnotus

    citing song lyrics in an essay

  4. 005 How To Quote Lyrics In An Essay Mla Example Att Epigraph ~ Thatsnotus

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  5. Astounding How To Quote A Song In An Essay ~ Thatsnotus

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  6. 012 How To Quote Lyrics In An Essay Mla Example Adele Songs ~ Thatsnotus

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  1. Writing Lyrics LIVE

  2. What should I write the lyrics about? 👀💭✍️

  3. Lester Greene & Essay

  4. MLA In-Text Citations

COMMENTS

  1. How to Cite a Song in MLA

    To cite a song accessed through an online streaming service, list the performer (or group) as author, the song title in quotation marks, the name of the site in italics, and the URL where the song can be found. Omit "the" from a band name, e.g. "Beatles," not "the Beatles."

  2. How do I cite song lyrics?

    The way you cite song lyrics will vary depending on how you access them and how much information you include in the body of your essay. If you cite song lyrics from a CD you listened to, you might simply refer to the song in your essay: "You say you got a real solution," the Beatles sing in "Revolution 1."

  3. How do I format a quotation of song lyrics?

    Bob Dylan famously sang that " [t]he answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind / The answer is blowin' in the wind." Work Cited Dylan, Bob. "Blowin' in the Wind." Bob Dylan, 2018, www.bobdylan.com/songs/blowin-wind/. If the quotation consists of four or more lines, set the quoted lines apart from the text as an extract.

  4. How to cite a single song or track reference

    Because song references provide information about the recording artist, who is not always the same person or people who wrote the lyrics and/or the melody, you don't need to research the history of a song in order to cite it; just cite the version you heard.

  5. How to Cite Song Lyrics in Different Formats With Examples

    8 min read Wr1ter team 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.

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

    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) 8. Year of publication 9.

  7. How to Quote Song Lyrics in APA

    If you are quoting several lines of song lyrics (such as an entire verse), format it as a block quote, using standard APA formatting. Drop the parenthetical citation a line below the lyrics in order not to interfere with the text. I'm a little lamb who's lost in the wood I know I could always be good To one who'll watch over me

  8. How to Cite a Song in APA

    Create manual citation Understanding how to cite songs in APA is crucial for projects that study pop culture, sociology, and a variety of other topics. This guide will show you how to cite songs following the guidelines for APA 7th edition. Guide Overview Citing a song Citing an album Citing a classical music album

  9. How do I cite published song lyrics from a musical?

    To cite the printed lyrics, begin the entry with the title since no author is given. Then provide the name of the website as the title of the container and list any relevant publication details. In the optional-element slot at the end of the entry, indicate the format so that your reader knows you are citing the text rather than the audio:

  10. How to Cite a Song in MLA, APA & Chicago Style

    Method 1 Using MLA Download Article 1 Use the name of the performer to cite recordings. The basic MLA citation starts with the name of the author. In the case of a song, if you're referencing a particular recording, the performer is the author. The performer could be a single individual or a band.

  11. How to Cite a Song in MLA Format & Examples

    When quoting multiple lines, use a forward slash to indicate breaks in those lyrics. Here is how it looks: Quotation format. Text before lyrics "line / line / line" (timestamps). Here is an example of the above formula of how to cite song lyrics in MLA. But do not use this guide for an interview citation.

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

    Nov 02, 2021 143659 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.

  13. How to Incorporate Lyrics Into an Essay

    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).

  14. MLA Works Cited: Other Common Sources

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

  15. Learn how to cite a song in MLA, APA, and Chicago style formats

    To cite a song (an audio recording), start with this template: MLA in bibliography. Performer's Last Name, Performer's First Name. "Title of your song." Title of the Album, album's ed., (if applicable), Publisher, Year of publication, track number. Website or Database, URL (no http part is necessary). Grant, John.

  16. How to Write In-Text Citations for Music Lyrics

    Step 5. Use the author's name in the main body of the text followed by the date in parentheses, if it is better for the essay's readability. Using the example above, you could alternatively write "In 'Teachers,' Cohen (1967) states that he …" to cite the same work. Write any lyric in the same way as you would write poetry.

  17. MLA Song Citation Generator & Examples

    Create manual citation Published February 1, 2021. Updated August 5, 2021. To cite a song in MLA, it's helpful to know basic information including the song title, artist, and production details. The templates and examples below are based on the MLA Handbook, 9th edition.

  18. Citing Song Lyrics Handout

    To cite song lyrics within an essay or other academic writing, write the artist's last name and the copyright year in parentheses immediately after the lyrics being referenced. Example:...

  19. How do I cite song lyrics in Chicago?

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

  20. Copyright permission for use of song lyrics

    You don't need permission to list the names of the songs, but to quote the lyrics in a commercial work, you need permission. The laws around fair-use and song lyrics are really dicey and have been historically narrowly interpreted. If this is for a college paper that is free, then you'll likely get a pass.

  21. How do I cite translated lyrics?

    If you are citing a complete work that has been translated, like a libretto, the translators would be given in the Contributors element. The following provides an example: Schikaneder, Emanuel. The Magic Flute. Translated by Ruth Martin and Thomas Martin, G. Schirmer, 1941. In the example above, Ruth Martin and Thomas Martin appear in the ...

  22. Chicago: how to cite a song [Update 2023]

    To cite a song in a reference entry in Chicago style 17th edition include the following elements: Artist (s) name: Write artistic names as given, e.g. 'Lady Gaga.'. Reverse if it is a regular name 'Smith, Sam.'. Title of the song: Give the official title of the song. Track number: Give the song's number in the list.

  23. How to Quote Song Lyrics in CMOS

    If you are quoting an entire stanza, format it as a block quote. If you are citing several stanzas, then include a double return at the end of the line. Do not center the lyrics, even if they are centered in the original source. Instead, simply indent by half an inch. Examples of run-in quotations and block quotes are in the following sections.

  24. Kanye West's 'Vultures 1' Debuts in New York

    The rapper formerly known as Kanye West has been mired in controversy after making a string of antisemitic remarks. Thousands showed up to hear "Vultures 1" on Friday night. After a series of ...