How do I cite a song or music in MLA?

To cite a song or music in MLA (9th edition), include the author, title, date, and source location. Use our free citation generator for automatic formatting.

What is the MLA format for a song or music citation?

The MLA format for a song or music is: Artist Last Name, First Name. "Title of Song." Album Title, Record Label, Year.

What does the in-text citation look like for a song or music in MLA?

In MLA, the in-text citation for the example above is (Artist, "Track Title")

How to Cite a Song or Music in MLA (9th edition)

Learn how to cite a song or music recording in MLA format (9th edition). This guide includes the reference list format, in-text citation examples, and key formatting rules.

MLA Works Cited Format

Here is the standard MLA format for citing a song or music in your Works Cited page:

Artist Last Name, First Name. "Title of Song." Album Title, Record Label, Year.

MLA Example for a Song or Music

A complete MLA reference for a song or music, formatted by the official MLA CSL style definition — the same engine that powers the generator on this site:

Nakamura, Rei. “Marginalia.” Quiet Library, Blue Room Records, 2020. Album.

Matching in-text citation: (Nakamura)

MLA In-Text Citation

Use one of these formats when referencing this source within your paper:

Parenthetical

(Artist, "Track Title")

Narrative

Artist sings "Track Title"...

Key MLA Formatting Rules

Put the song title in quotation marks.
Italicize the album title.
Include record label and year.

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 MLA (9th 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 Works Cited: Include the full formatted citation at the end of your paper.
Double-check formatting: Verify italics, punctuation, capitalization, and hanging indents match MLA requirements.

Evidence and review notes

Worked examples are generated by citeproc from the published CSL definition, not written by a language model. Editorial guidance and sources in this section were reviewed on 2026-08-14.

CSL style record: mla.csl

Editorial sources

MLA Style Center — works cited →

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I cite a song or music in MLA?: To cite a song or music in MLA (9th edition), include the author, title, date, and source location. Use our free citation generator for automatic formatting.
What is the MLA format for a song or music citation?: The MLA format for a song or music is: Artist Last Name, First Name. "Title of Song." Album Title, Record Label, Year.
What does the in-text citation look like for a song or music in MLA?: In MLA, the in-text citation for the example above is (Artist, "Track Title")