how to cite music mla: exploring the nuances of musical citations

In this exploration of citing music in MLA format, we delve into the complexities and nuances that arise when dealing with musical works, which often differ from traditional literary sources. From live performances to recorded albums, each type of musical work has its own unique citation style within the MLA guidelines. Let’s navigate through these intricacies together.

Understanding Musical Works

Before diving into citation specifics, it’s essential to understand what constitutes a musical work. A musical work can be an original composition or a performance. Original compositions include songs, instrumental pieces, and operas, while performances encompass live concerts, recordings, and even video recordings of live events.

Original Compositions

For original compositions, the citation format differs based on whether you’re referring to a specific song, album, or other component of the composition.

Songs

When citing a song, provide the title of the song, the artist, the album, the year of release, and the track number (if available). For example:

• Song: “How Deep Is Your Love,” by Phil Collins, from Face Value, 1981, track 5.

Albums

When citing an entire album, include the album title, the artist, the year of release, and any additional information like the genre or producer.

• Album: The Dark Side of the Moon, by Pink Floyd, 1973.

Performances

For performances, the citation format is slightly different. Include the performer’s name, the title of the performance, the venue, the date, and any additional relevant details.

• Performance: “A Night at Carnegie Hall,” performed by The Beatles, Carnegie Hall, New York City, April 6, 1964.

MLA Citation Style for Musical Works

Now, let’s look at how to apply the MLA citation style to these musical works.

Original Compositions

For songs and albums, MLA provides specific guidelines for citing them.

Songs

• Author: Artist Name
• Title of Song: Track Number, Album Title, Year of Release, Label/Record Company.
• Page Number (if applicable): Not typically used for songs.

Example:

• Song: “How Deep Is Your Love,” by Phil Collins, from Face Value, 1981, track 5.

Albums

• Author: Artist Name
• Title of Album: Year of Release, Label/Record Company.
• Page Number (if applicable): Not typically used for albums.

Example:

• Album: The Dark Side of the Moon, by Pink Floyd, 1973.

Performances

For performances, MLA suggests providing the performer’s name, the title of the performance, the venue, the date, and any additional details.

• Performance: Performer Name, Performance Title, Venue, Date, Location.

Example:

• Performance: “A Night at Carnegie Hall,” performed by The Beatles, Carnegie Hall, New York City, April 6, 1964.

Additional Considerations

When citing music, it’s crucial to consider the source of the music. If the music was obtained from a streaming service or purchased online, ensure you have the necessary permissions to use it in your work.

Conclusion

Citing music in MLA format requires careful attention to detail, especially when dealing with different types of musical works. Whether you’re citing a song, an album, or a performance, understanding the specific guidelines provided by MLA will help you accurately attribute the source of your musical references. By following these steps, you can ensure that your citations are clear, consistent, and properly formatted.

Q&A

1. What if I’m using a live performance that doesn’t have a specific track number?

   • In such cases, you might need to use the title of the performance as the title of the song and include the venue and date as additional details.

2. Can I cite a cover version of a song?

   • Yes, if you’re citing a cover version, mention the original artist and the cover artist. Also, note that the cover version may have been released under a different label or record company.

3. Is it necessary to cite every single performance or just the ones that are referenced in the text?

   • It depends on your instructor’s guidelines. Generally, you should cite performances that are directly referenced in your paper. However, including all performances can enhance the credibility and depth of your research.