Quoting song lyrics in academic papers can seem daunting, especially when navigating the intricacies of Chicago style. However, with a clear understanding of the guidelines, the process becomes straightforward. This guide simplifies the complexities of citing lyrics in your Chicago-style papers, offering practical examples and helpful tips to ensure accuracy and avoid plagiarism.
What are the Chicago Style Guidelines for Lyric Quotations?
Chicago style, known for its detailed and precise citation methods, offers specific guidelines for incorporating song lyrics into your work. The core principle remains consistent: provide your readers with enough information to easily locate the source. This generally involves including the following within your text:
- The lyrics themselves, correctly punctuated and formatted within quotation marks.
- A parenthetical citation immediately following the quotation, containing essential source information.
- A full bibliographic entry in your "Works Cited" page detailing the song's album or source.
How to Cite Song Lyrics in the Text (Chicago Notes-Bibliography Style)
Chicago style, in its Notes-Bibliography format, utilizes footnotes or endnotes to provide source details. For lyric quotations, the footnote or endnote should generally include:
- Artist's name.
- "Song title."
- Album title, if applicable.
- Record label, if applicable.
- Year of release.
Example:
"Baby, you can drive my car," sang the Beatles.1
Footnote 1: The Beatles, "Drive My Car," Rubber Soul, Parlophone, 1965.
If the lyrics are from a compilation album or a streaming service, adjust the bibliographic information accordingly. For example:
"It's a long way to Tipperary"2 remains a beloved anthem of the era.
Footnote 2: John McCormack, "It's a Long Way to Tipperary," John McCormack Sings Irish Songs, RCA Victor, 1915.
How to Cite Song Lyrics in the Text (Chicago Author-Date Style)
The Author-Date style of Chicago citation requires a parenthetical reference within the text itself. This parenthetical should include:
- Artist's last name and year of release.
Example: The line, "We built this city on rock and roll" (Stapleton 2005), perfectly encapsulates the anthem's themes.
Works Cited entry:
Stapleton, Jefferson. 2005. "We Built This City." The Definitive Collection. EMI Records.
Handling Longer Lyric Quotations in Chicago Style
When quoting four or more lines of lyrics, Chicago style generally recommends setting the quotation off as a block quote. This involves:
- Indenting the entire quote.
- Removing quotation marks (unless they are part of the original lyrics themselves).
Example:
This is the dawning of the age of Aquarius. Age of Aquarius. Age of Aquarius. Harmony and understanding. (5 Seconds of Summer, 2018)
Works Cited Entry:
5 Seconds of Summer. 2018. "Age of Aquarius." Youngblood. Capitol Records.
How Do I Cite Lyrics from a Live Performance or Unreleased Song?
For live performances, specify the venue and date, if known. For unreleased songs, use "Unreleased" or provide any other relevant identifying details. Always endeavor to be as precise as possible.
Example (Live Performance):
"The crowd went wild," as the artist proclaimed during their 2023 Madison Square Garden concert.3
Footnote 3: Beyoncé, live performance, Madison Square Garden, New York, NY, July 15, 2023.
What if I only need to cite a single word or a short phrase?
For single words or short phrases, you can incorporate them directly into your sentence, without setting them off as a quotation. However, you still need a parenthetical citation or footnote to credit the source.
How do I cite a lyric video from YouTube?
Although not directly a published source, you can still cite this as the source of your lyrics. The citation should include the artist's name, song title, date of upload, and URL. For the Author-Date system, you may need to create a short citation for this, as a proper "Works Cited" entry may not be ideal.
This guide offers a basic framework. Always consult the latest edition of the Chicago Manual of Style for the most up-to-date and comprehensive guidance. Remember that accuracy and proper attribution are paramount in academic writing.
