How Do I Cite A Song In Apa

How Do I Cite a Song in APA? A Comprehensive Guide

Knowing how to properly cite a song in APA style is crucial for academic integrity and avoiding plagiarism. While it might seem straightforward, citing music involves specific details often overlooked. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process, covering various scenarios and offering clear examples to ensure you're confident in citing your musical sources correctly.

Understanding APA In-Text Citations and References for Songs

The APA (American Psychological Association) style guide emphasizes clear and concise referencing. When citing a song, you need both an in-text citation (briefly mentioning the source within your writing) and a full reference entry in your bibliography or reference list at the end of your paper. The key information required includes the song title, artist's name, album title (if applicable), release year, and the label. The specific format depends slightly on whether the song is from a standalone recording (single), an album, or a streaming service.

In-Text Citations: Keeping it Concise

In-text citations are short and sweet, designed to guide the reader to your full reference list. The general format involves the artist's last name and the year of release. If you mention the artist's name in your sentence, you only need to include the year in parentheses. If you don't mention the artist's name, include both the name and the year in parentheses.

Examples:

• Mentioning the artist's name in the sentence: "Beyoncé's powerful vocals in 'Halo' (2008) perfectly capture the feeling of overwhelming love."
• Not mentioning the artist's name in the sentence: The song "Bohemian Rhapsody" (Queen, 1975) is a quintessential example of progressive rock.

Reference List Entries: Providing Full Details

The reference list entry provides comprehensive information about the song. The specific format changes based on the source of the song.

Citing Songs from Albums

This is the most common scenario. The reference entry includes the following elements in the specified order:

1. Artist's Last Name, Artist's First Initial. (Year). Song title [Song recording]. On Album title [Album recording]. Label.

Example:

Swift, T. (2019). Lover [Song recording]. On Lover [Album recording]. Republic Records.

Key Considerations:

• Italicize the album title but not the song title. This distinction is important for proper APA formatting.
• Use brackets "[ ]" to indicate that the item is a song recording and an album recording.
• Include the record label. This information is usually found on the album cover or its packaging. If you can't find it, omit it.

Citing Songs from Soundtracks

Similar to albums, citing a song from a movie or TV show soundtrack requires detailed information:

1. Artist's Last Name, Artist's First Initial. (Year). Song title [Song recording]. On Soundtrack title [Soundtrack recording]. Label.

Example:

Bowie, D. (1986). Absolute Beginners [Song recording]. On Absolute Beginners: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack [Soundtrack recording]. EMI America.

Citing Single Songs (Standalone Recordings)

If the song wasn't released as part of an album, the format slightly changes:

1. Artist's Last Name, Artist's First Initial. (Year). Song title [Song recording]. Label.

Example:

Eilish, B. (2019). bad guy [Song recording]. Darkroom/Interscope Records.

Note the absence of an album title, as it's a standalone single.

Citing Songs from Streaming Services

While streaming services provide convenient access to music, citing them directly in your reference list is generally discouraged in APA style. The best practice is to find the original album or single release information and cite that instead. This ensures consistency and allows for verification of the source. If original source information is impossible to obtain, you should consider if it's the best source to use for your academic work.

However, if absolutely necessary (and you have obtained approval from your instructor), you might include the service as secondary information within your reference entry. This is NOT preferred by APA but might be necessary in some specific cases. It's advised to consult your instructor in such scenarios. Example:

Artist’s Last Name, Artist’s First Initial. (Year). Song title [Song recording]. Retrieved from [Name of Streaming Service]

Caution: This method is non-standard and should only be used as a last resort after exhausting all attempts to obtain the original release information. This approach should be discussed with your instructor first.

Handling Multiple Artists or Composers

If a song has multiple artists or composers, list all their names in the same format as above, separating them with commas. For example:

Example (Multiple Artists):

Smith, J., & Jones, A. (2022). Our Song [Song recording]. On Collaborative Album [Album recording]. XYZ Records.

Example (Artist and Composer Different):

Smith, J. (Artist). (2022). Our Song (composed by Jones, A.) [Song recording]. On Collaborative Album [Album recording]. XYZ Records.

Dealing with Remixes and Covers

Remixing and covering songs creates further complexity in citations. Here's how to approach these:

• Remix: Include the original artist and the remixer. For example: "Original Song Title (Artist Name Remix)"

Example:

Jackson, M. (Original Artist). (1982). Billie Jean (Remix by DJ Example) [Song recording]. On Thriller (Remix Edition) [Album recording]. Epic Records.

• Cover: Similar to a remix, identify the original artist and the cover artist. It's best to cite the original version unless focusing specifically on the cover.

Example:

Originally by: Marley, B. (1977). No Woman, No Cry [Song recording]. On Exodus [Album recording]. Island Records. Covered by: Example, X. (2023). No Woman, No Cry [Song recording]. On Tribute Album [Album recording]. ABC Records.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Forgetting Brackets: Remember the brackets [ ] to indicate song and album recordings.
• Incorrect Italics: Only italicize album and soundtrack titles, not song titles.
• Missing Information: Ensure you include all necessary details like artist, year, label etc.
• Inconsistent Formatting: Maintain consistent formatting throughout your references.

Conclusion: Master the Art of Citing Songs in APA

Mastering the art of citing songs in APA might seem challenging, but with this guide, you'll be confident in properly crediting your musical sources. Remember, accurate citation is essential for academic integrity. Always double-check your work and refer to the most recent edition of the APA Publication Manual for the most up-to-date guidelines. By following these guidelines, you’ll not only avoid plagiarism but also demonstrate a professional approach to your academic writing. By meticulously following these guidelines, your academic work will reflect not only scholarly rigor but also a careful consideration of the creative work that inspires it.