How to Cite a Music Recording in MLA 9th Edition

This guide explains how to format a music recording citation in MLA 9th Edition. Follow the format template below, refer to the real example, and use the step-by-step instructions to build your citation correctly.

Format Template

The general pattern for citing a music recording in MLA 9th Edition:

Template

Artist Last, First. "Song Title." *Album Title*, Label, Year.

In-Text Citation Example

How the citation appears within the body of your paper:

In-text citation

(Lamar)

Reference List Entry Example

The full citation as it appears in your Works Cited:

Works Cited entry

Lamar, Kendrick. "HUMBLE." DAMN., Top Dawg Entertainment, 2017.

Step-by-Step Guide

1
Name the artist
List the performing artist or band name. For individual artists, use Last, First format. For bands, use the group name as-is.
2
Add the song title
Place the song title in quotation marks using title case. End with a period inside the closing quotation mark.
3
Include the album title
Italicize the album title using title case. Follow with a comma.
4
Add the record label and year
Write the record label name, followed by a comma and the release year. End with a period.
5
Add streaming URL if applicable
If accessed via a streaming service, add the platform and URL: ...2017. Spotify, open.spotify.com/track/xxxxx.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Forgetting to place the song title in quotation marks.
Not italicizing the album title.
Omitting the record label.
Listing the band name in Last, First format when it should be kept as-is (e.g., Radiohead, not Radiohead,).
Including the track number, which is not required in MLA.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I cite an entire album instead of a single song?

Start with the artist, then the album title (italicized) without a song title: Lamar, Kendrick. DAMN. Top Dawg Entertainment, 2017.

What if the song is a single not on any album?

Omit the album container and go directly from the song title to the label and year: Lamar, Kendrick. "HUMBLE." Top Dawg Entertainment, 2017.

How do I cite a classical music recording with a composer and performer?

Start with whoever your paper emphasizes. If the composer: Beethoven, Ludwig van. Symphony No. 5 in C Minor, Op. 67. Performed by Berlin Philharmonic, conducted by Herbert von Karajan, Deutsche Grammophon, 1962.

Information You Will Need

Before creating your citation, gather the following information from your music recording:

Artist/Composer
Title
Album
Label
Year
Track Number

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Step-by-Step Guide

Name the artist

List the performing artist or band name. For individual artists, use Last, First format. For bands, use the group name as-is.

Add the song title

Place the song title in quotation marks using title case. End with a period inside the closing quotation mark.

Include the album title

Italicize the album title using title case. Follow with a comma.

Add the record label and year

Write the record label name, followed by a comma and the release year. End with a period.

Add streaming URL if applicable

If accessed via a streaming service, add the platform and URL: ...2017. Spotify, open.spotify.com/track/xxxxx.