To cite a song (an audio recording), start with this template:


To ensure your essay meets academic standards, adhere to established style guidelines when citing song titles. These styles vary slightly, so choose the one most appropriate for your course or field of study.


Accurate citation of songs in APA format is essential for academic credibility. The process involves including songwriter information, song title, album details, and publication information. Following these guidelines helps properly attribute musical works and provides readers with necessary information to locate the original source.

To quote the lyrics in MLA format, mention the artist’s name in parenthesis. For example, “In the lyrics to “The Show Must Go on” (Queen), it states that…” This is all you need to do.

Citation scheme for song lyrics in MLA 9:

There are different formats (MLA, APA, Harvard) and each one has its peculiarities. Although, each one requires a parenthetical citation (in-text) and a note in the reference list. Also, the way you cite lyrics in your paper may be different and depends on how you listen to a particular song as well as the amount of information you put in your text. For example, if you cite a song from a CD you listened to, you may refer to the song in the following way:

Place song titles within quotation marks when referencing them in your essay. This format distinguishes song titles from other types of works like albums or books, which typically use italics or underlining. For example, if referring to the song "Imagine" by John Lennon, you write: In his song "Imagine," John Lennon proposes an idealistic world.

Proper formatting of song titles in essays underscores your attention to detail and adherence to academic standards. The following guidelines will help ensure that your essay meets the required formatting norms.

Compile a list of all materials you will need for referencing the song titles correctly in your essay. This includes access to official lyrics, copyright details from sites like ASCAP or BMI, and academic papers or music journals if applicable for scholarly insight. Ensure you have reliable internet access or library resources to verify these details accurately before including them in your essay. Keep track of all source URLs or physical document locations for easy citation later.


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

However, you must follow the copyright and not use the whole song in your text. The good news is that there are no legal requirements about how many words you may use not to be convicted of plagiarism. Whenever you use some part of a song in your paper, do not forget to include in-text citations, a list of all citations, or a reference page. And you may sleep calmly – no one will ever say that you stole their words.

Here’s how to cite them in MLA 8, MLA 9, or any other grade.

It is like when you walk around, and have a bunch of thoughts in your head but have no idea how to express them on paper. And then all of a sudden… buzz… You hear a song that says it all! In just one or two sentences. You know the feeling, right? Well, this is exactly what you feel when you put song lyrics in an essay. The words that are written and sung in a song may be exactly what you need to add some flavor to the whole academic text.

How to cite a song in MLA while quoting lyrics from a transcript:

Lyrics are one of the most effective tools in an essay to express certain feelings, thoughts, and ideas. You may decide to cite lyrics if you see that the author of a song has created a great line that expresses your point perfectly.

Here’s how to cite a song in-text mla:

Start by identifying the songs that most closely align with your essay topic. Consider factors like genre, artist relevance, lyrical content, and how well the song supports or enhances the points you wish to make. Utilize respected music databases such as AllMusic or Discogs for accurate information about the songs. Make notes on why each selected song is pertinent to your essay’s argument or theme.

Here is how to cite songs in Chicago style:

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.