How to Cite a Song in 3 Formats: APA, MLA, and Chicago!

When you discuss a song in an essay, you need to cite it clearly so readers can identify the recording, lyrics, performer, and source you used.

This guide explains how to cite a song in MLA, APA, and Chicago style, including streaming tracks, physical albums, online lyrics, singles, and classical recordings.

Before choosing a format, confirm which citation style your instructor requires and whether you are citing the recording, the lyrics, a music video, or a performance.

Citation Formats and Key Information to Include

When citing a song, the citation format you use depends on the style guide you're following—typically MLA, APA, or Chicago. Each style has specific rules, but all share the core purpose of attributing the work properly. There is also the difference between other college essay format like in-text citation and full citation. Let’s break down the format and key information for each.

MLA (Modern Language Association): 

MLA is common in humanities courses. A song entry usually includes the performer or creator, song title in quotation marks, album title in italics when available, label, year, and the platform or format.

1. In-Text Citation for Songs in MLA

For MLA in-text citation, use the performer or creator's name when that is how the Works Cited entry begins. If you mention the artist in the sentence, a parenthetical citation is often unnecessary unless your instructor asks for one.

Example:  

2. Full Citation for a Song in MLA

In the Works Cited entry, include the details needed to identify the exact version you used:

• Artist Name: The performer, group, composer, or songwriter listed first in your citation style.

• Song Title: The exact track title, usually placed in quotation marks in MLA and Chicago examples.

• Album Title: The album or recording title, italicized when your style guide requires it.

• Publisher/Record Label: The label, distributor, platform, or publisher shown for that version.

• Year of Release: The year for the version you used, not necessarily the song's original composition date.

• Format: Note whether you used streaming audio, a CD, vinyl, cassette, download, or music video.

• URL or Other Access Information: Include a stable URL, platform name, or access details when required.

The format for full citations is:

Artist or Group. “Song Title.” Album Title, Record Label, Year. Platform or URL.

Example:

Queen. “Bohemian Rhapsody.” A Night at the Opera, EMI, 1975. Spotify, URL.

APA (American Psychological Association): 

APA is common in social science writing and uses an author-date system for in-text citations and a References list entry.

1. In-Text Citation for Songs (APA)

APA in-text citation usually includes the artist or composer name and year. If the name appears in the sentence, place the year near the name; otherwise, include both in parentheses.

Example: 

• If the artist’s name is not mentioned in the sentence: "The song Lover evokes a sense of nostalgia and longing" (Swift, 2019).

• If the artist's name is mentioned in the sentence: "Swift's song Lover (2019) evokes a sense of nostalgia and longing."

2. Full Citation for a Song in APA

For the References list, an APA song citation usually includes:

• Artist’s Name: Use the responsible artist, group, or composer in the format APA requires.

• Year of Release: Place the year in parentheses after the creator name.

• Song Title: Use sentence case and identify the item as a song when needed.

• Album Title: Include the album title if the track appears on an album.

• Format: Mention song, recording, streaming audio, or physical media when your style calls for it.

• URL/Platform: Add the URL or platform when the source is online and retrievable.

Template:

Artist Last Name, Initials. (Year). Song title [Song]. On Album title. Label or platform. URL when needed.

Example: 

Queen. (1975). Bohemian rhapsody [Song]. On A night at the opera. EMI. URL when needed.

Chicago Style: 

Chicago style has two systems: author-date and notes and bibliography. Both should identify the artist or composer, song title, album or recording title, label, year, and access format when relevant.

1. In-Text Citation (Author-Date Style): 

Chicago author-date uses the artist or creator name and year in parentheses, then gives full details in the reference list.

Example:

• If you mention the artist in the sentence: "Swift’s Lover (2019) evokes a sense of nostalgia and longing."

• If you do not mention the artist in the sentence: "The song Lover evokes a sense of nostalgia and longing (Swift 2019)."

2. In-Text Citation (Notes and Bibliography Style): 

Notes and bibliography style uses footnotes or endnotes. The first note gives fuller information, and later notes can use a shortened form.

The first time you cite the song in the text:

"Swift’s Lover evokes a sense of nostalgia and longing."^1

Footnote (Full Citation in the first mention): Taylor Swift, Lover (Republic Records, 2019).

Subsequent mentions will use a shortened form (without the full citation):

 "The lyrics of Lover continue to resonate with fans."^2

Footnote (Shortened form for subsequent citations): 2. Swift, Lover.

3. Full Citation: 

For Chicago, choose the format that matches your class. Notes and bibliography entries often read more like publication details, while author-date entries are built for parenthetical citation.

Example:

• Author-Date Style: Swift, Taylor. 2019. Lover. Republic Records.

• Notes and Bibliography Style: Swift, Taylor. Lover. Republic Records, 2019.

How to Cite an Online Song Recording

Online song recordings may come from streaming platforms, digital stores, official artist pages, or music videos. Cite the exact version you listened to or analyzed.

When citing song lyrics found online, you can find them on a number of places such as lyrics websites, streaming websites, or the artist's own page. These lyrics are often used themselves as the central text of a research paper or essay or presentation, and they will need a citation.

Key Information to Note

When citing song lyrics or an online recording, collect these details before building the entry:

• Lyricist's Name when the lyrics are credited separately

• Singer’s Name or performing artist for the version used

• Title of the Song, including subtitle or featured version if applicable

• Title of the Album or release where the track appears

• Album Edition, remix, live version, or special edition if relevant

• Publisher or Record Label shown on the platform or packaging

• Year of Publication

• Website or Platform where the lyrics or recording were accessed

• URL

• Other Contributors, such as co-writers, producers, conductors, or performers when important

Template:

How to Cite Song Lyrics from Online Sources in Different Formats

The table below shows how an online song or lyric source may appear in MLA, APA, and Chicago style. Adjust the details to match the exact source you used.

Quoting Lyrics

When quoting short lyrics, format them like poetry and use a slash (/) to show line breaks. Keep the excerpt brief and cite the song or lyric source.

“First quoted lyric line / Second quoted lyric line”

Example:

Songwriter Last Name, First Name. “Song Title.” Album Title. Record Label, Year. Lyric Website, URL.

This format is usually used for lyrics under four lines.

If you are quoting four or more lines, use a block quote, preserve line breaks, and include the citation required by your style guide:

For example, a longer lyric excerpt might be introduced like this:

First quoted lyric line  
Second quoted lyric line  
Third quoted lyric line  
Fourth quoted lyric line

Citation Examples for Various Music Access Methods

The format of a music citation depends on how you accessed the song. Streaming tracks, downloads, CDs, vinyl, singles, and classical recordings may require slightly different details, but each citation should identify the creator, title, source, and version.

1. Citing Music Accessed via Streaming Services (e.g., Spotify)

For streaming music, include the song and album details, then name the platform and URL when your citation style or instructor requires it.

Full Citation & In-Text Citation Example:

2. Citing a Song from a CD or Vinyl

For a CD, vinyl record, or cassette, cite the track, album, label, year, and physical format. Use the information from the liner notes or album packaging when possible.

Full Citation & In-Text Citation Example:

3. Citing a Song Without an Associated Album (Single Track)

If the song is a single and not part of an album, omit the album title and include the label, year, platform, or URL as required.

Full Citation & In-Text Citation Example:

4. Citing Classical Music or Works with Multiple Labels

For classical music, decide whether your focus is the composer, performer, conductor, ensemble, or recording. Then cite the version you actually used, including performer and label details when relevant.

Full Citation & In-Text Citation Example:

Sources for Finding Music to Cite

Once you know the required citation details, gather them from the most reliable source available. 

Streaming platforms, download stores, physical albums, and official artist pages may show different metadata, so check the version carefully. 

Here are the most common places to find music details for a citation.

Online Streaming Platforms

Streaming platforms such as Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube often list artist names, song titles, albums, release dates, labels, and shareable links. Use official uploads when possible.

• Spotify: Use the artist, track title, album title when available, release year, platform name, and track URL if required.

• Apple Music: Check the track page for artist, album, label, date, and share link details. 

• YouTube: Prefer official artist or label uploads and include the direct URL for the specific video or track.

Music Download Stores

Downloaded music is cited as a digital source. Examples include Apple Music or iTunes purchases, Amazon Music, and other authorized download stores. 

When citing a download store, identify the track or album details and name the service you used to access the file.

• iTunes: List the track, album when available, artist, label, year, and store link if your citation style asks for it.

• Amazon Music: Use the album or track page to confirm the artist, release, label, and access information.

Physical Media (CDs, Vinyl, Tapes)

Physical media such as CDs, vinyl records, and tapes usually include useful citation details in the liner notes, packaging, or label. Include the format when it helps identify the version.

Official Artist Websites and Music Databases

Official artist websites and music databases can help when a song is not available through a major streaming or download platform.

• Artist Websites: Official pages are useful for independent releases. Include the artist, title, album if available, page title, date when shown, and direct URL.

• Music Databases (e.g., SoundCloud, Bandcamp): For independent releases, record the creator name, track title, platform, publication date if listed, and URL.

Conclusion

Citing a song starts with identifying the exact version you used and then matching the details to MLA, APA, or Chicago style. 

Whether you use a streaming track, lyric page, CD, vinyl record, or single, a clear citation helps readers find the same source and understand your analysis.