How to Cite a Song or Music in APA (7th edition)
Learn how to cite a song or music recording in APA format (7th edition). This guide includes the reference list format, in-text citation examples, and key formatting rules.
APA Reference List Format
Here is the standard APA format for citing a song or music in your reference list:
Artist, A. A. (Year). Title of song [Song]. On Album title. Record Label.
APA Example for a Song or Music
A complete APA reference for a song or music, formatted by the official APA CSL style definition — the same engine that powers the generator on this site:
Nakamura, R. (2020). Marginalia [Album]. In Quiet Library. Blue Room Records.
Matching in-text citation: (Nakamura, 2020)
APA In-Text Citation
Use one of these formats when referencing this source within your paper:
Parenthetical
(Artist, Year)
Narrative
Artist (Year) sings...
Key APA Formatting Rules
- Italicize the album title, not the song title.
- Put the song title in quotation marks.
- Include the record label as publisher.
- Use [Song] as the description bracket.
Step-by-Step Guide
- Gather source information: Collect the author name, title, publication date, and URL or DOI for your song or music.
- Format the reference: Arrange the elements following the APA (7th edition) template shown above.
- Create the in-text citation: Add a parenthetical or narrative citation in your paper where you reference this source.
- Add to your reference list: Include the full formatted citation at the end of your paper.
- Double-check formatting: Verify italics, punctuation, capitalization, and hanging indents match APA requirements.
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