How to Cite a Song

A recording of a song or other piece of music.

What You'll Need

Song Title
Short title
Artist/Performer
Composer(s)
Album
Record Label
Release Date
Format
URL

Note the songwriter/composer, performer (if different), album title, record label, and year. Include track number for album citations.

Example Citations

APA 7th edition
Queen. (1975). Bohemian rhapsody [Audio recording]. On A night at the opera. EMI.
In-text (Queen, 1975)
MLA 9th edition
Queen. “Bohemian Rhapsody.” A Night at the Opera, EMI, 1975.
In-text (Queen)
Chicago 18th edition (notes and bibliography)
Queen. “Bohemian Rhapsody.” In A Night at the Opera. EMI, 1975.
Footnote Queen, “Bohemian Rhapsody,” in A Night at the Opera, EMI, 1975.
Harvard (Cite Them Right 12th edition)
Queen (1975) Bohemian rhapsody, A night at the opera. EMI.
In-text (Queen, 1975)
IEEE
[1]
Queen, Bohemian Rhapsody. EMI, 1975.
In-text [1]

Numbered by order of appearance in your document.

Vancouver
1.
Queen. Bohemian rhapsody. A night at the opera. EMI; 1975.
In-text (1)

Numbered by order of appearance in your document.

Other Source Types

Website Book Journal Article Newspaper Article Book Chapter Thesis/Dissertation Report Video Podcast/Broadcast Magazine Article Software Dataset Patent Legal Case Legislation Bill Regulation Hearing Standard Treaty Conference Paper Manuscript Review Book Review Classic Work Reference Entry Dictionary Entry Encyclopedia Entry Periodical Collection Interview Speech Musical Score Graphic Figure Map Performance Event Pamphlet Preprint Document Post Blog Post Personal Communication Generative AI