How to Cite a Song
Updated July 2026
A song citation names the recording artist as author, the song as the piece, the album as the container, and the label as the publisher. Where you heard it — streaming, CD, vinyl — barely changes the citation.
The format
APA: Artist. (Year). Song title [Song]. On Album title. Label. MLA: Artist. “Song Title.” Album Title, Label, Year.
Fleetwood Mac. (1977). Dreams. Rumours.
In-text(Fleetwood Mac, 1977)
Artist, composer, and album
- Recording artist is the author for the recording you heard. APA can add the composer in parentheses when it differs and matters: (Composer, composer).
- Album is the italicized container; the song title is in quotes (MLA) or marked [Song] (APA).
- Singles with no album cite the song with the label and year, no album.
- Classical works name the composer as author and often the performer/conductor as contributors.
Streaming and quoting lyrics
Streaming doesn't change the citation — the album, label, and year are what matter; a Spotify URL is optional in APA. To quote lyrics, use a timestamp where a page number goes: (Fleetwood Mac, 1977, 2:15). Be mindful that lyrics are copyrighted — quote briefly and cite.
In-text citations
APA: (Fleetwood Mac, 1977). MLA: (Fleetwood Mac). Name the artist and song in your prose for clarity.
Keep every citation you make.
A free account saves your citation history and organizes sources into projects with notes and tags.
Create a free account →Find the sources you should be citing.
Premium searches 250 million scholarly works by topic, recommends citations for your claims, and flags statements in your writing that need support.
Go Premium — $5/monthFrequently asked questions
- Who is the author of a song citation?
- The recording artist for the version you heard. APA can add the composer in parentheses when it differs and is relevant; classical works lead with the composer.
- Does streaming change how I cite a song?
- Barely — the album, label, and year carry the citation. A streaming URL is optional in APA and not required in MLA.
- How do I quote lyrics?
- Use a timestamp in place of a page number: (Artist, Year, 2:15). Keep quotes short — lyrics are copyrighted.
- How do I cite a single with no album?
- Cite the song with the label and year and omit the album: Artist. 'Song Title.' Label, Year.