How to Cite a Musical Artist

MLA Style

• 1

  List the last name of the artist (or the name of the band) within parentheses.

• 2

  Place your parenthetical citation directly after quoting or paraphrasing from the artist's work. For example:

  One of the best lyrics in modern rock music is "I sit in the tall grass and look the other way" (Smog).

  If you name the artist in the text, you do not have to cite it parenthetically. For example:

  One of the best lyrics in modern rock music is the Smog line "I sit in the tall grass and look the other way."

• 3

  Format your reference list entry in the following manner:

  Artist's Last Name, First Name. "Title of Song." Title of Album (in italics). Record Label, Year of Release. Format.

  For example:

  Callahan, Bill. "River Guard." Knock Knock. Drag City, 1998. CD.

  If you are citing a musical artist that performs under a band name, list the band name instead of an artist's last and first name. For example:

  Smog. "River Guard." Knock Knock. Drag City, 1998. CD.

  Be sure that the name which begins your reference list entry is the name that you cite within the text.