Quoting song lyrics in academic papers might seem daunting, but with a grasp of Chicago style guidelines, it becomes straightforward. This guide simplifies the process, clarifying how to cite lyrics correctly in both notes and bibliography, handling various scenarios, and ensuring your work maintains academic integrity.
How to Cite Song Lyrics in Chicago Style
Chicago style offers two main citation systems: notes-bibliography and author-date. For lyric quotations, the notes-bibliography system is generally preferred, offering a clearer presentation of sources within the text.
Basic Format (Notes-Bibliography):
When quoting lyrics, your footnote should follow this structure:
- Artist Name, “Song Title,” on Album Title, [Record Label], Year.
Example:
"We built this city on rock and roll," the anthem proclaims.1
1 Jefferson Starship, “We Built This City,” on Nuclear Furniture, Grunt Records, 1985.
In-text Citation Variations:
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Multiple Songs from the Same Album: If you cite multiple songs from the same album, you can simplify subsequent citations by omitting the album title. Only the first citation needs the full information.
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Live Performances: For live recordings, specify the venue and date if known. For example: "The crowd roared with delight."2 2 Bruce Springsteen, “Born to Run,” live performance at Wembley Stadium, London, July 12, 2023.
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Compilations/Soundtracks: If the song is from a compilation album or soundtrack, list the compilation title instead of the original album.
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Streaming Services: While not explicitly mentioned in the Chicago Manual of Style, providing the streaming service used (e.g., Spotify, Apple Music) is generally acceptable as supplementary information, but not required for the basic citation.
Handling Different Lyric Presentation Formats
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Short Quotations (under four lines): Integrate short lyric quotes directly into your text, enclosing them in double quotation marks.
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Longer Quotations (four lines or more): Set off long lyric quotes as block quotations (indented from the left margin without quotation marks).
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Emphasis: Use italics to emphasize words or phrases within the quotation if they are italicized in the original. If you need to add emphasis that wasn't present in the original, use brackets [ ] to indicate your additions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How do I cite a song lyric if the album doesn't have a record label?
If the album lacks a record label, simply omit that part of the citation. The core elements (artist, song title, album title, and year) remain crucial.
Can I cite a song lyric from YouTube?
While you can use YouTube as a source for accessing the lyrics, it's not a reliable source for official publication information. Always prioritize the official album release details when available. If official details are unavailable, state that clearly in your citation.
What if the song is a cover version?
For cover versions, indicate the original artist and the artist performing the specific version in your citation, making it clear which version you're referencing. For example: "Johnny Cash's rendition of 'Hurt' is haunting."3 3 Nine Inch Nails (originally performed by), Johnny Cash, "Hurt," from American IV: The Man Comes Around, American Recordings, 2002.
What about song lyrics from a musical?
Citations for musical song lyrics follow the same basic structure but will include the musical's title as the album title. For example:
"Tomorrow is another day."4
4 Oscar Hammerstein II, "Tomorrow," from Annie, [Record Label], Year.
Beyond the Basics: Ensuring Accuracy and Context
Remember that accuracy is paramount in academic writing. Always double-check your lyric quotations against the original source to ensure they are precisely transcribed. Providing context for your quotations is equally important. Explain why you've chosen a particular lyric and how it relates to your argument. By following these guidelines and paying attention to detail, you can confidently and correctly incorporate song lyrics into your Chicago-style papers.
