How Do You Cite A Song In MLA Style? – Format & Examples

The Modern Language Association is a popular citation format that is used in academic writing to give credit to authors and creators whose work is being used as references in research papers, essays, and assignments. Writing correct and accurate citations is essential as it helps students avoid plagiarism, follow the highest academic standards, and let other researchers find the sources they have used. Many key sources, like books, movies, articles, images, and PowerPoint presentations, are used for citations in academic papers. 

Similarly, songs are also used as sources for citations. Whether you are analysing lyrics, discussing a song’s impact, or referencing music in your paper, there are specific MLA format guidelines that you need to follow. In this blog, we will discuss how do you cite songs in MLA style and mistakes that you should avoid while citing a song in MLA format to ensure your work is credible.  

How To Reference A Song In MLA Style?

The format for citing a song in MLA style depends on the medium on which you have listened to it. However, the MLA style has the same language rules and guidelines for citing songs in your academic work. This includes the name of the author, with the last name written first and then the first name written afterward. The name of the song is written in quotation marks, and the name of the album or website comes afterward, which is italicised. Other important details, such as the year of release and the format of the source, are written at the end of the citation.  

Here is an example of how to cite a song in MLA style: 

Example: Dylan, Bob. “Blowin’ in The Wind.” Spotify. http://open.spotify.com/track/18GiV1BaXzPVYpp9rmOg0E. 

The MLA in-text citation for this is placing the last name of the singer/ creator in brackets. However, if you are referencing a specific time of the song, then you have to write the timestamp with the name.  

In-text Citation: (Dylan 1:07)

How Do You Cite Songs In MLA From Physical Formats?

To cite a song in MLA style that you have accessed in a physical format, such as CD or Vinyl, then you have to mention the name of the singer, the title of the song, the name of the album, the name of the distributor, the date of release, and the format of the song. The URL is omitted. Here is an example of citing a song from a physical format in MLA style: 

Example: Lamar, Kendrick. “Fear.” Damn, Top Dawg Entertainment, 2017, CD. 

The in-text citation for citing songs in MLA style for physical format is as follows: 

In-text Citation: (Lamar 3.22) 

How To Cite Songs In MLA Format Accessed Through A Streaming Service?

Citing songs accessed through online streaming services, such as YouTube, Apple, or Spotify, is very easy. All you have to do is mention the name of the creator/ singer, the title of the songs in quotation marks, and the name of the album in italics. Then comes the name of the record label, the date of release, and the format of the song. However, the URL is not omitted here, and you have to mention it at the end of the citation. 

Let us look at an example of citing a song accessed through a streaming service: 

Example: Swift, Taylor. “Love Story.” Fearless, Big Machine Records, 2008. Spotify, http://open.spotify.com/track/xyz. 

In-text Citation: (Swift 2:06)

How To Cite Songs From A Website?

Citing songs from a website follows the same MLA guidelines. This citation begins with the name of the singer, the title of the song, the name of the album, and the uploader’s name. You can also add necessary details in your citation, such as the date of uploading and the URL of the song. Here is an example of how to cite a song from an online website: 

Example: Adele. “Someone Like You.” 21, uploaded by AdeleVEVO, 29 Sept. 2011, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xyz. 

The in-text citation includes the name of the creator and the time stamp of the song.  

In-text citation: (Adele 1.23) 

How To Cite A Song With No Known Author?

To cite a song with no author, you have to begin the citation with the title of the song, which is written in quotation marks. Then comes the name of the album, which is italicised, followed by a record label, the date or year of release, and the format of the source. Let us look at an example: 

Example: “St. Elmo’s Fire.” Another Green World, Island Records, 1975, CD. 

The in-text citation of a song with an unknown author includes the title of the song placed within brackets. 

In-Text Citation:  (“St. Elmo’s Fire.”)

How To Quote Lyrics In MLA Style?

To quote lyrics in your academic work, like essays, according to the MLA format, you need to consider the length of the lyrics. To quote short lyrics, include them within quotation marks and write the last name of the artist in parentheses. 

Example: “Romeo, take me somewhere we can be alone” (Swift). 

When citing lengthy song lyrics, you need to format them as a block quote within quotation marks. However, you need to mention the artist’s last name and line numbers at the end of the block quote. 

Common Mistakes You Should Avoid While Citing Songs In MLA Style

Here are some mistakes that you should look out for while referencing a song in MLA style. 

• Write the artist’s name in the correct manner, i.e., the last name appears first while the first name is written at the last. 
• Follow proper punctuation rules of the MLA format to ensure that you write accurate citations. 
• Do not italicise the title of the song. Make sure that it is written within quotation marks. 
• The name of the album must always be italicised. 
• You must include a timestamp for song in-text citations in MLA style so that readers can understand your references. 
• Do not forget to mention the medium of the song, such as CD, Spotify, or Apple Music.

Frequently Asked Questions