Citing Your Tunes: A Chicago Style Guide for the Music Lover
So, you've got a paper due and you wanna drop some sick beats into your bibliography. But wait, how do you cite a song in Chicago style? Don't worry, we're about to drop some knowledge on you.
The Basics: It's All About the Details
Citing a song in Chicago style is like giving your favorite track the respect it deserves. You gotta give credit where credit is due, right? The basic format is pretty straightforward:
- Artist(s) name. "Title of the song." Track number on Album Title. Publisher, Year of publication, Song format.
Example:
- Beyoncé. "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)." Track 3 on I Am... Sasha Fierce. Columbia Records, 2008, compact disc.
But Wait, There's More!
Now, let's get a little deeper. What if you're citing a song from a streaming service? Or maybe you're quoting lyrics? Don't panic!
For streaming services: Include the service name after the track number. For example:
Drake. "God's Plan." Track 1 on Scorpion. OVO Sound/Republic Records, 2018, Spotify.
For quoting lyrics: Treat it like any other quote, with quotation marks and page numbers (if available).
Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them
- Don't forget the track number: This is crucial information.
- Be consistent: Use the same format throughout your bibliography.
- Check your sources: Make sure you have all the necessary information.
How to Cite a Song: Quick Tips
How to cite a song from a CD?
- Artist, "Song Title," Track number on Album Title, Label, Year, CD.
How to cite a song from a digital download?
- Artist, "Song Title," Track number on Album Title, Label, Year, Digital download.
How to cite a song from a streaming service?
- Artist, "Song Title," Track number on Album Title, Label, Year, Streaming service.
How to cite a song with multiple artists?
- List all artists separated by commas.
How to cite a song with a featured artist?
- List the main artist first, then "featuring" and the featured artist.
So there you have it, folks! Citing a song in Chicago style doesn't have to be a headache. Just follow these guidelines and you'll be rocking the academic world in no time. Now go forth and cite away!