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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 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

  1. Gather source information: Collect the author name, title, publication date, and URL or DOI for your song or music.
  2. Format the reference: Arrange the elements following the APA (7th edition) template shown above.
  3. Create the in-text citation: Add a parenthetical or narrative citation in your paper where you reference this source.
  4. Add to your reference list: Include the full formatted citation at the end of your paper.
  5. Double-check formatting: Verify italics, punctuation, capitalization, and hanging indents match APA requirements.

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Cite a Song or Music in Other Styles

Song or Music in MLASong or Music in ChicagoSong or Music in HarvardSong or Music in VancouverSong or Music in IEEESong or Music in AMASong or Music in TurabianSong or Music in CSESong or Music in BibTeXSong or Music in NatureSong or Music in ACSSong or Music in OSCOLASong or Music in BluebookSong or Music in AGLCSong or Music in ASASong or Music in APSASong or Music in AAASong or Music in NLMSong or Music in ACMSong or Music in APSSong or Music in AIPSong or Music in CellSong or Music in ScienceSong or Music in PLOSSong or Music in BMJSong or Music in LancetSong or Music in JAMASong or Music in Elsevier HarvardSong or Music in Springer

Cite Other Sources in APA

Website in APABook in APAJournal Article in APAYouTube Video in APAPodcast in APANewspaper Article in APAPDF in APAInterview in APASocial Media Post in APAGovernment Document in APADissertation or Thesis in APAConference Paper in APALecture or PowerPoint in APAImage or Photograph in APAMovie or Film in APATV Show in APACourt Case in APAPatent in APAEncyclopedia Entry in APADictionary Entry in APADataset in APASoftware or App in APAPress Release in APAReport in APA

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