How to Write a Song Title in an Essay Like an Expert

Unsure of how to write a song title in an essay correctly? Here's what to do: put the song title in quotation marks. This is the standard formatting style in both MLA and APA when you're referring to individual songs.

As academic writers, we often see students get tripped up by small details like this. Although it may seem minor, proper formatting shows attention to detail and respect for the source material. When done right, your writing looks cleaner and more professional.

Whether you're analyzing lyrics, referencing an artist’s work, or simply mentioning a track to support your point, quoting song titles correctly matters. In this guide, we’ll walk you through when to use quotation marks, how to handle punctuation, and what to do if you’re including the title in a reference list.

Why You Should Format Song Titles Correctly

In academic writing, small things matter. How you format song titles may seem minor, but following the right style builds credibility. It helps maintain clarity, avoids confusion, and shows your reader you’re serious about presenting your ideas in a structured way.

Read more: Learn How to Format the Top of an Essay Correctly

Quick Guide to Song Title Formatting Rules

Getting the basics of song title formatting rules right can save you from losing points over simple formatting issues. Here are the essentials:

1. Always place song titles inside double quotation marks
2. Do not italicize or underline the title of a single song
3. Capitalize major words in the title (nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, pronouns)
4. Do not capitalize short conjunctions, prepositions, or articles unless they start the title
5. Punctuation should go inside the quotation marks
6. If the song title ends your sentence, don't add extra punctuation outside the quotes
7. Use consistent formatting throughout your essay
8. Refer to the artist or album if it adds clarity
9. When writing titles in citations, follow the specific guide’s rules
10. Avoid changing the original title’s spelling or structure

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Comparing Song Titles in MLA APA and Chicago Styles

When writing essays that include music references, it’s important to match your formatting with the assigned style guide. The way you present song titles in MLA, song titles in APA, or Chicago can vary in small but important ways. Always double-check the rules for punctuation, capitalization, and how to reference albums or artists. For instance, APA tends to favor sentence case, while MLA and Chicago use title case for song names, whereas the album titles should be italicized. These details may seem minor, but they help your writing stay consistent and meet academic standards.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Using Song Titles

It's easy to slip up when handling music references in academic writing. To help avoid confusion, here’s a list of common issues students make when applying proper citation for song names:

• Italicizing a single song title instead of using quotation marks
• Forgetting to capitalize major words in the title
• Putting punctuation outside of the quotation marks
• Using the wrong style guide for the assignment
• Confusing album titles with song titles, thinking songs need to be italicized
• Inconsistently formatting different song titles in the same essay
• Not double-checking how the title appears in official releases
• Adding periods or commas after the closing quotation unnecessarily
• Including extra formatting like bold or underline
• Quoting lyrics without citing the song correctly

Read also: Guide on Formatting Your College Assignment Header

How to Put a Song Title in an Essay Smoothly

Bringing music references into your writing works best when it sounds natural. Whether you're analyzing lyrics or simply referencing a track, knowing how to put a song title in an essay makes a difference. Always place the song title inside quotation marks and make sure it fits the flow of your sentence. If you're introducing the song as part of your evidence, try connecting it clearly to the point you're making. Keep in mind that it’s best to name the artist, too, especially if the song is less well-known. Remember to use the original title exactly as released – don’t shorten or paraphrase it.

How to Correctly Write a Song Title in an Essay Reference List

Once you've quoted or mentioned a track in your main text, you’ll need to include full citation details. To correctly write a song title in an essay reference list or works cited page, follow your style guide exactly. For example, in MLA, list the artist first, followed by the song title in quotation marks, the album in italics, and the publisher or label. APA has a slightly different order and prefers sentence case. Check for punctuation, spacing, and whether you need to add a retrieval link for streaming platforms. Keeping these entries accurate makes your paper feel complete and credible.

Final Tips & Takeaways for Song Title Formatting

Before turning in your paper, take a moment to double-check how you’ve handled song titles throughout your essay. Being consistent shows that you understand the rules and respect academic standards. If you're ever in doubt, remember this – quotation marks are your best friend when referring to a single track, and albums go in italics. Whether you’re citing a song as evidence or referencing lyrics to support your point, knowing how to properly write a song title in an essay keeps your writing clean, clear, and credible. Stick with the format required by your style guide and review examples if you need a refresher. It’s the little things that can make your work stand out.

Formatting Checklist Before Submission

Before hitting submit, run through this quick list to make sure your formatting is on point. These small fixes can prevent easy mistakes and improve your final grade. Every time you check punctuation for song titles, you're helping your essay look more polished.

• Song titles appear in double quotation marks
• Album titles are italicized, not quoted
• Only the first word and proper nouns are capitalized in APA
• All major words are capitalized in MLA and Chicago
• Punctuation falls inside the closing quotation mark
• No extra punctuation is added after the title if it ends the sentence
• Artist and album names are included when needed
• The song title matches the original exactly
• The format is consistent throughout the essay
• Reference entries follow the correct style guide

Examples by Genre Across MLA, APA and Chicago Styles

Below is how to cite songs from various genres using different academic style guides. This helps you see how the rules apply no matter what music you reference.

🎶 Pop

Song: “Shake It Off” by Taylor Swift from 1989

APA: Swift, T. (2014). 1989 [Album]. Big Machine Records. “Shake it off” [Song].

MLA: Swift, Taylor. “Shake It Off.” 1989, Big Machine Records, 2014.

Chicago: Taylor Swift, “Shake It Off,” 1989 (Big Machine Records, 2014).

🎸 Rock

Song: “Smells Like Teen Spirit” by Nirvana from Nevermind

APA: Nirvana. (1991). Nevermind [Album]. DGC Records. “Smells like teen spirit” [Song].

MLA: Nirvana. “Smells Like Teen Spirit.” Nevermind, DGC Records, 1991.

Chicago: Nirvana, “Smells Like Teen Spirit,” Nevermind (DGC Records, 1991).

🎤 Hip-Hop

Song: “Alright” by Kendrick Lamar from To Pimp a Butterfly

APA: Lamar, K. (2015). To pimp a butterfly [Album]. Top Dawg Entertainment. “Alright” [Song].

MLA: Lamar, Kendrick. “Alright.” To Pimp a Butterfly, Top Dawg Entertainment, 2015.

Chicago: Kendrick Lamar, “Alright,” To Pimp a Butterfly (Top Dawg Entertainment, 2015).

🎻 Classical/Instrumental

Song: “Clair de Lune” by Claude Debussy

APA: Debussy, C. (1905). Clair de lune [Song]. (Use recording info if referencing a specific performance.)

MLA: Debussy, Claude. “Clair de Lune.” 1905. (Add album/performer details if needed.)

Chicago: Claude Debussy, “Clair de Lune,” 1905. (Include album and performer for modern recordings.)

Read more: Study Effectively With Our Music Appreciation Flashcards

From My Own Experience Writing About Music

When I was writing my first literature analysis essay, I referenced a song that perfectly matched the emotional tone of a poem we had studied. I typed the title, underlined it, and felt confident I had nailed the formatting – until the paper came back with red marks and a note: “Song titles go in quotation marks, not underlined.”

That one mistake stuck with me, and it taught me the importance of checking the details – especially when it comes to formatting. Since then, every time I’ve worked on a paper that required music references, I’ve made sure to brush up on the style guide rules before submitting. Whether it’s APA, MLA, or Chicago, each guide has different preferences, and getting them right makes your writing look more polished and professional.

So, if you're wondering how to write the name of a song in an essay, remember this: use quotation marks for the song title and italics for the album, and always match the formatting to your assigned style guide. It’s a simple fix but one that shows your attention to detail.

Music adds depth to essays when used well. With the right formatting, it also adds credibility.

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FAQ

Do I italicize or quote a song title?

Put the song title in double quotation marks. Example:

Beyoncé’s “Halo” highlights emotional vulnerability.

What’s the correct way to write an album title in an essay?

Album titles should always be italicized. Example:

Adele’s 30 broke streaming records in its first week.

Do I underline song titles or use quotes?

Never underline. Always use quotation marks around song names.

How should I reference songs in an essay when quoting lyrics or naming tracks?

When you reference songs in an essay, mention the artist and use quotation marks for the song. If quoting lyrics, add an in-text citation based on the style guide. Example (MLA):

“I’m a survivor, I’m not gonna give up” (Destiny’s Child).

Using music in your writing can strengthen your argument – just be sure your formatting supports your message.