How Do You Cite A Song In Apa

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

Citing songs correctly in APA style can seem tricky, but with a clear understanding of the guidelines, it becomes straightforward. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the nuances of citing various song formats, from streaming services to physical albums, ensuring your academic work maintains accuracy and integrity. We'll delve into the specifics, offering examples to solidify your understanding and avoid common citation errors.

Understanding APA Song Citation Basics

The core principle of APA song citation revolves around providing your reader with enough information to easily locate the source. This information typically includes the song title, album title (if applicable), artist name, and details about the release (e.g., record label, year). The specific format, however, depends on where you accessed the song.

Key Elements of a Song Citation:

• Song Title: Capitalize the first word and any proper nouns. Italicize the title.
• Artist Name: The performer or band's name. Use the name as it appears on the recording.
• Album Title: If the song is from an album, italicize the album title. If it's a single, this element is omitted.
• Record Label: The company that released the recording. Include this only if you accessed the song through a physical medium (CD, vinyl).
• Year: The year the song was released or the year of the album's release.
• Retrieval Information: This varies depending on how you accessed the song (e.g., streaming service, purchase, physical media).

Citing Songs From Different Sources

The approach to citing a song significantly alters depending on the access method. Let's examine the most common scenarios:

1. Citing a Song from a Streaming Service (Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, etc.)

When citing a song from a streaming service, you won't include a record label or a retrieval date. Instead, you’ll focus on the song and album information, if applicable, and the artist's name.

Example:

Sheeran, E. (2017). Shape of you. On ÷ [Album]. Asylum Records.

In-text citation: (Sheeran, 2017)

Important Considerations for Streaming Services:

• Album information: If the song is from an album, include the album title (italicized) after the song title.
• No URL or DOI: Unlike journal articles, you don't need a URL or DOI for streaming services. The information provided is sufficient for most purposes.
• Multiple Artists: If multiple artists collaborated, list all of them.

2. Citing a Song from a Downloaded Music File (MP3, etc.)

Similar to streaming services, downloaded files don't require a record label or a retrieval date. The focus remains on song, album, and artist information.

Example:

Swift, T. (2022). Anti-hero. On Midnights [Album]. Republic Records.

In-text citation: (Swift, 2022)

3. Citing a Song from a Physical Medium (CD, Vinyl)

When citing a song from a CD or vinyl, you include the record label in your citation.

Example:

Bowie, D. (1972). Starman. On The rise and fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars [Album]. RCA Records.

In-text citation: (Bowie, 1972)

Important Note: If the song is from a compilation album, indicate that in the citation. For example:

Joplin, J. (1971). Me and Bobby McGee. On Janis [Compilation album]. Columbia Records.

4. Citing a Song from a Video Platform (YouTube, Vimeo, etc.)

If you're referencing a song primarily through its music video on a platform like YouTube, your citation might look a little different. The key is to reflect accurately where you accessed the song.

Example:

Adele. (2015, November 19). Hello [Video file]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=[Insert YouTube video ID]

In-text citation: (Adele, 2015)

Important Considerations for Video Platforms:

• URL: The URL is crucial because it leads directly to the specific video.
• Upload Date: Use the upload date if the release date of the song itself is unavailable.
• Video Title: In this case, the title of the video might differ slightly from the song title.

Handling Special Cases in Song Citations

Certain situations require adjustments to the standard APA song citation format. Let's explore some of them:

1. Multiple Artists/Composers:

List all artists or composers, separated by ampersands (&) before the final one, which should be preceded by "and."

Example:

The Beatles. (1967). Strawberry Fields Forever. On Magical Mystery Tour [Album]. Apple Records.

In-text citation: (The Beatles, 1967)

2. Songs with Different Versions/Remakes:

If you are citing a specific version or cover of a song, include details identifying that version (e.g., "Live Version," "Remix by [Artist Name]").

Example:

Nirvana. (1993). Smells Like Teen Spirit (Live Version). On MTV Unplugged in New York [Album]. Geffen Records.

In-text citation: (Nirvana, 1993)

3. Songs with Unknown Release Dates:

If the release date is unknown, use "n.d." (no date) in place of the year.

Example:

Unknown Artist. (n.d.). Title of Song. On Title of Album [Album]. Record Label.

In-text citation: (Unknown Artist, n.d.)

4. Soundtracks and Musicals:

When citing a song from a soundtrack or musical, include the name of the film or musical in the citation.

Example:

Menken, A. (1991). Part of Your World. In The Little Mermaid (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) [Album]. Walt Disney Records.

In-text citation: (Menken, 1991)

In-text Citations for Songs

In-text citations are brief references within your writing that correspond to the full citation in your reference list. They typically include the artist's last name and the year of release.

Example:

The catchy melody of “Shape of You” (Sheeran, 2017) exemplifies his distinctive songwriting style.

If you mention the song title within the sentence, you don't need to include it in the parentheses. However, the year is still required.

Example:

Sheeran’s 2017 hit, “Shape of You,” quickly climbed the charts.

For multiple authors, use the format: (Beatles, 1967).

If you are using a direct quote from song lyrics, enclose the quote in quotation marks and cite the source immediately after the quote.

Example:

As the song states, “Yesterday, love was such an easy game to play” (Beatles, 1965).

Conclusion: Mastering APA Song Citations

Citing songs in APA style might seem complex at first glance, but by following these guidelines and understanding the differences based on your access method, you can ensure your academic work adheres to the highest standards of accuracy and clarity. Remember to always double-check your citations before submitting your work to guarantee consistent and correct formatting. By mastering these techniques, you enhance the credibility of your research and demonstrate a commitment to academic integrity. This guide provides a comprehensive foundation, enabling you to confidently cite various song formats and avoid common pitfalls. Always prioritize accuracy and consistency in your citations to effectively present your research.