How to Cite a Song MLA: A Practical Guide

From academic papers and research presentations to professional development materials, referencing songs in MLA style is becoming increasingly essential. Yet, citing a song isn't as straightforward as citing a book or article; it brings unique challenges. So, how to cite a song MLA? In this article, you’ll find clear, practical methods to help you get it right.

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Part 1: What is the MLA & Song Citation?

What is MLA?

The Modern Language Association (MLA) style is a standardized method for citing sources in academic writing, particularly in the humanities. Developed by the Modern Language Association, this style guides the structure of research papers, the formatting of manuscripts, and the citation of sources to avoid plagiarism and maintain academic integrity.

The core elements of MLA citation include:

• Author

• Title of Source

• Title of Container

• Other Contributors

• Version

• Number

• Publisher

• Publication Date

• Location (URL, page numbers)

These elements are organized in a specific order to help readers find and verify the sources you cite.

What is a Song Citation?

When it comes to citing songs in MLA, the process involves crediting not just the performer but also the songwriter, album (if applicable), publisher, and release date. Whether you're quoting lyrics directly or referencing a song's contribution to your argument, correctly citing it ensures that proper credit is given.

You typically cite a song in two ways:

• In-text citation: Brief mention within the paper to acknowledge the source.

• Works Cited entry: Full details are listed at the end of the paper.

Here’s a breakdown of when you should cite a song:

• When you quote lyrics directly in your paper.

• When you paraphrase the song’s content.

• When you discuss the song’s influence or contribution to a topic.

Example Elements for Song Citation

When preparing your citations, remember that different scenarios, such as citing a single, an album track, or lyrics, require slight adjustments.

Part 2: How to Cite a Song in MLA Style

Citing a song in MLA format involves a specific structure depending on how the song was accessed and how it is being used in your work. Let’s walk through the process step-by-step, covering different scenarios you might encounter.

General Format for a Song Citation (Works Cited)

Performer’s Last Name, First Name. “Song Title.” Album Title, Publisher, Release Year.

When citing a song you streamed online:

Performer’s Last Name, First Name. “Song Title.” Album Title, Publisher, Release Year. Website Name, URL.

General Format for an In-Text Citation

When including an in-text citation, MLA typically uses the artist’s last name:
(Last Name).

If you are quoting specific lyrics, include the line numbers if they are available.

Examples of Song Citations in Different Situations

Example 1: Song with an Associated Album and Multiple Labels

• Works Cited:

Swift, Taylor. “Blank Space.” 1989, Big Machine Records, 2014.

• In-Text Citation:

(Swift)

Example 2: Song without an Associated Album

• Works Cited:

Eilish, Billie. “Everything I Wanted.” Darkroom/Interscope Records, 2019.

• In-Text Citation:

(Eilish)

Example 3: Quoting Lyrics

If quoting specific lyrics:

In-Text Citation:

(Lamar, lines 15–18)

Example: "We gon' be alright" (Lamar, lines 15–18).

Example 4: Song from an Online Platform

• Works Cited:

Sheeran, Ed. “Shivers.” Equals, Asylum Records, 2021. Spotify, https://open.spotify.com/track/example.

• In-Text Citation:

(Sheeran)

Example 5: Classical or Traditional Song

• Works Cited:

Traditional. “Scarborough Fair.” English Folk Songs, no date.

• In-Text Citation:

(Traditional)

I’ve found that organizing these citations early in the writing process helps maintain a smoother flow in academic papers. Whether you are quoting a powerful lyric or referencing an influential track, paying attention to the nuances of MLA in-text citation ensures your paper stands out with professionalism.

Part 3: Best Song Citation Helper: WPS Office

When working on academic papers, the right tools can make a significant difference. WPS Office, a free and highly compatible office suite, comes with integrated AI features that simplify the citation process. Whether you are preparing a research paper or an assignment, WPS Office helps you cite a song in MLA style easily and accurately.

With features like WPS Writer and WPS AI, users can efficiently format documents, insert citations, and adjust references according to MLA standards, all without switching between multiple apps. Its strong compatibility with Microsoft Office formats and its AI-powered writing assistant make it a practical choice for students and researchers alike.

How to Use WPS Office to Cite a Song in MLA Style

Let’s walk through how to cite a song in MLA using WPS Office, step-by-step.

Step 1: Open WPS Writer

Download and install WPS Office if you haven't already. Launch WPS Writer, the word processing tool, and open a new document.

Step 2: Prepare Your Document for Citation

Before adding citations, ensure your document is properly formatted. Set the font to Open Sans or Arial at size 12, as required by MLA guidelines. This keeps your work consistent and professional.

Step 3: Fill Out the Citation Information

Input the necessary details:

• Artist/Performer

• Song Title

• Album (if available)

• Publisher

• Release Year

• URL (if applicable)

Step 4: Refine Your Citation Using WPS AI

If you are uncertain about the citation structure or want to fine-tune it, WPS AI can assist. Open WPS AI from the toolbar and enter your citation details. WPS AI will generate a refined, properly formatted MLA citation, ensuring it adheres to the latest MLA guidelines. This can save valuable time and reduce the chance of errors.

Step 5: Review and Edit

After inserting the citation, review it manually to ensure it matches your paper's style and content. Adjust if necessary, especially if you're quoting lyrics and need to include line numbers.

Personally, I found WPS Office’s intuitive layout and WPS AI incredibly helpful when working on citations. It streamlines the formatting process and removes much of the stress from academic writing. Best of all, it’s free, a major plus for students.

FAQs

Q1: How to cite a song listened through an app in MLA style?

To cite a song accessed through an app like Spotify or Apple Music, include the standard citation elements and add the name of the app and the URL if available.

• Works Cited Example:

Drake. “God’s Plan.” Scorpion, Cash Money Records, 2018. Spotify, https://open.spotify.com/track/example.

• In-Text Citation Example:

(Drake)

This ensures your MLA citation song entry reflects the exact source.

Q2: How do I cite a source with no author or page numbers in MLA?

When citing a song or source without an author or page number, use the title of the song in quotation marks for the in-text citation.

In-Text Citation Example:

(“Imagine”)

If citing lyrics, include line numbers if available, following MLA in-text citation guidelines.

Q3: How to cite song lyrics in an essay?

If you are quoting song lyrics, you must include line numbers in the in-text citation when possible. Otherwise, mention the artist's name.

In-Text Citation Example with lines:

(Simon, lines 5–8)

Quoting lyrics requires precision, and MLA in-text citation song lyrics MLA style ensures your references are properly formatted.

Q4: Can I cite a live performance of a song in MLA format?

Yes, you can. For a live performance, include the artist’s name, the title of the performance (if applicable), the description "Live performance," the venue, the location, and the date.

• Works Cited Example:

Swift, Taylor. The Eras Tour. Live performance, SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles, 7 Aug. 2023.

• In-Text Citation Example:

(Swift)

Summary

Citing a song in MLA style may seem complicated at first, especially with varying formats for albums, singles, and streaming platforms. However, by following a structured approach, understanding the key elements, applying proper in-text citation techniques, and adjusting based on the medium, you can ensure that your references are accurate and professional.

In this guide, we explored multiple ways to handle MLA citation song entries, in-text citations, and special cases like quoting lyrics or citing live performances.

For those seeking a more efficient way to manage citations, WPS Office offers an excellent solution. With its free and powerful AI writing features, WPS Office simplifies the process of creating MLA citations, formatting papers, and maintaining consistency across your academic work. It’s a must-have tool for students and researchers who want reliable results without the hassle.