You may need to use the song as a reference, both the recording and the composition of the song itself, depending on the type of writing you are writing. The citation format of the song to follow will differ depending on the citation style used (eg Modern Language Association [MLA], American Psychological Association [APA], or Chicago Manual of Style). You will also need a short in-text citation to direct readers to the full citation entry at the end of the article.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Using the MLA Citation Style
Step 1. Use the name of the performer or musician to quote the recorded song
MLA basic citations begin with the author's name. For songs, if you want to refer to a specific record, use the musician's name as the author's name.
- In this context, performer may refer to a single musician or band. If you're using someone's name, follow the "last name, first name" format.
- For example: Knowles-Carter, Beyoncé.
Step 2. Use the name of the composer or composer to quote the composition
If you want to quote a score, and not a recorded song, the first name in the MLA citation entry is the name of the composer or songwriter.
- If there are multiple composers, list all the names in order in the song's copyright information. If the song you're sourcing has lyrics, it may contain composer and lyricist information.
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For example: Knowles-Carter, Beyoncé and James Blake.
For Indonesian: Knowles-Carter, Beyoncé and James Blake
Step 3. Enter the title of the song
The title of the song you're referring to is the next piece of information in the MLA citation entry, whether you're quoting a record or a score. Enclose the title in quotation marks.
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For example: Knowles-Carter, Beyoncé and James Blake. "Freedom."
For Indonesian: Knowles-Carter, Beyoncé and James Blake. "Freedom."
Step 4. Include publication or record information
After the song title, add the title of the recording album, along with the name of the recording company/studio and the year the album was released. For scores, include the title of the book containing the score, the name of the book publishing company, and the year of publication.
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For example: Knowles-Carter, Beyoncé and James Blake. "Freedom." Lemonade, Parkwood Entertainment, 2016.
For Indonesian: Knowles-Carter, Beyoncé and James Blake. "Freedom." Lemonade, Parkwood Entertainment, 2016
Step 5. State the format and method of accessing the content
If you're citing sheet music, simply insert the phrase "sheet music" or "score" at the end of the quote entry. For recordings, list the formats you specifically access. If you access music from the internet, include the date of access to the content.
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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.
For Indonesian: 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. Include the name of the musician or composer in the in-text citation
Whenever you mention the source song in your article, you need an in-text citation (bracketed citations) to direct the reader to the full citation entry in the reference segment (“Works Cited”) at the end of the article.
- Use the name listed in the full citation entry. Only use the first name or first name if there is more than one musician's name in the full entry. Include the song title (or title phrase) if you are quoting more than one work by the same musician.
- For example: (Knowles-Carter, "Freedom")
Method 2 of 3: Using ANY Citation Style
Step 1. Begin the entry with the name of the songwriter or composer
When citing a recording in the APA style, the song is mentioned with reference to the author. Enter the last name of the songwriter or composer, followed by the initials of his first name. If there is more than one songwriter or composer, list all names in the entry.
- For example: Knowles-Carter, B., & Blake, J.
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If there are multiple authors and their roles are mentioned, you can mention the roles in parentheses after their names. For example: Knowles-Carter, B. (Lyricist), & Blake, J. (Composer).
For Indonesian: Knowles-Carter, B. (Lyricist), & Blake, J. (Composer)
Step 2. Add copyright year
You can find the album's copyright year information on the back of the physical album, or in the album's legal information section if you are accessing content from the internet. Usually, the date or year is listed after the copyright symbol (“©”).
For example: Knowles-Carter, B., & Blake, J. (2016)
Step 3. Enter the title of the song
Use capitalization and punctuation according to song titles on albums or scores. If the song you are quoting is sung or performed by an individual other than one of the songwriters, list the performer/musician information in parentheses after the title.
- You will also need to include the name of the musician or performer if he is better known by his stage name (or if he is not immediately identifiable by his last name).
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For example: Knowles-Carter, B., & Blake, J. (2016). Freedom [Recorded by Beyoncé].
For Indonesian: Knowles-Carter, B., & Blake, J. (2016). Freedom [Song by Beyoncé]
Step 4. Add album title and music medium
After the title, start a new sentence with the word “On” or “In the album”, then type the title of the album in italics. If you are citing recorded songs (and not scores), include information about the type or medium of the music (usually CDs or LPs).
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For example: Knowles-Carter, B., & Blake, J. (2016). Freedom. On Lemonade [CD].
For Indonesian: Knowles-Carter, B., & Blake, J. (2016). Freedom. In the album Lemonade [CD]
Step 5. Include publication or record information
For scores, use the location and name of the publishing company, which is usually found in the copyright information section of the book's inner cover. Location and company/recording studio information can be found on the back of the album or from the internet. Also include the year of recording in parentheses, even if it is the same year as the copyright year.
- State the name of the country (or state) if the city where the company is located is not well known. If not, just state the name of the city.
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For example: Knowles-Carter, B., & Blake, J. (2016). Freedom. On Lemonade [CD]. New York City: Parkwood Entertainment (2016).
For Indonesian: Knowles-Carter, B., & Blake, J. (2016). Freedom. In the album Lemonade [CD]. New York City: Parkwood Entertainment (2016)
Step 6. Use the songwriter/composer name, year of copyright, and track number for in-text citations
Whenever you mention a song in your writing, you need an in-text citation that directs readers to the full quote entry in the reference segment at the end of the article.
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For example: (Knowles-Carter & Blake, 2016, track 10)
For Indonesian: (Knowles-Carter & Blake, 2016, track 10)
Method 3 of 3: Using the Chicago Quote Style
Step 1. Start with the name of the songwriter or composer
For Chicago style citations, you must include all the names of the songwriters or composers, whether you are citing scores or recorded songs. Enter a name by saying the last name first, followed by the first name. Add the names of additional authors in the usual format (“first name last name”).
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For example: Knowles-Carter, Beyoncé, and James Blake.
For Indonesian: Knowles-Carter, Beyoncé, and James Blake
Step 2. State the title of the song
In Chicago citation style, the title of the song should be italicized and followed after the songwriter's name. You can include the album title if available, but this information is not required. If you added a reference to more than one song from the same album in a post, simply make a reference to the album as a whole in the bibliography.
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For example: Knowles-Carter, Beyoncé, and James Blake. Freedom.
For Indonesian: Knowles-Carter, Beyoncé, and James Blake. Freedom
- If the singer or song performer is a different individual from the songwriter, include this information after the song or album title by stating the first and last names.
- If the singer or performer feels more important in your discussion than the songwriter or composer, you can use their name as the first piece of information in the quote entry. Consider this well based on the focus of the writing.
Step 3. Add publication or record information
For scores, include the location and name of the publisher, as well as the year the score was published. If you are citing a recorded song, state the name of the record label, followed by the record number and year of copyright.
- If you can't find the record number on a physical copy of the record/album, look for information on this number on www.discogs.com. Make sure you have the same record information as the record you are referring to in the article.
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For example: Knowles-Carter, Beyoncé, and James Blake. Freedom. On Lemonade. Parkwood Entertainment, 88985336822, 2016.
For Indonesian: Knowles-Carter, Beyoncé, and James Blake. Freedom. On the Lemonade album. Parkwood Entertainment, 88985336822, 2016
Step 4. State the format and access information
If you are citing a recording, you need to let readers know the format used. If you are accessing it digitally, include the information on the platform or media of access, along with the date of access.
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For example: Knowles-Carter, Beyoncé, and James Blake. Freedom. On Lemonade. Parkwood Entertainment, 88985336822, 2016, CD.
For Indonesian: Knowles-Carter, Beyoncé, and James Blake. Freedom. On the Lemonade album. Parkwood Entertainment, 88985336822, 2016, CD
Step 5. Use the songwriter's last name-date format for in-text citations
When you use the Chicago citation style for professional writing, footnotes are usually preferred (or recommended). However, if you are writing a school assignment, you may be asked to use an in-text quote after mentioning the song in the text.
- For example: (Knowles-Carter 2016).
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To add an in-text quote that directs the reader to a specific song, include the track number. For example: (Knowles-Carter 2016, track 10).
For Indonesian: (Knowles-Carter 2016, track 10)
Tips
- If you are using the Chicago citation style, list all audio recording entries in a discographic segment separate from the main bibliography.
- When accessing music on the internet, you may find it difficult to find the information you need for a quote. Try searching for song information from websites like www.discogs.com which have song publishing information.
