100+ MLA Song Lyrics Citation Examples: Perfect Copywriting Guide
In academic writing, correctly quoting song lyrics using MLA (Modern Language Association) format is essential for credibility and avoiding plagiarism. This article provides a comprehensive guide on how to quote song lyrics in MLA style across various contexts—such as short quotes, long excerpts, multiple lines, and songs from digital platforms. Each section focuses on a different quote type, offering 12 practical examples with proper formatting. Readers will learn not only the technical rules but also how to apply them effectively in essays, research papers, and other scholarly works. By mastering these techniques, writers can seamlessly integrate lyrical content while maintaining academic integrity and stylistic precision.
Short In-Text Quotations from Songs
"I'm gonna swing from the chandeliers" (Gaga, "Chandelier").
"We found love in a hopeless place" (Rihanna, "We Found Love").
"Hello from the other side" (Adele, "Hello").
"Can't stop, won't stop, poppin' bottles" (Pitbull, "Give Me Everything").
"You're beautiful, it's true" (James Blunt, "You're Beautiful").
"Shake it off, I'm on my way" (Taylor Swift, "Shake It Off").
"I came in like a wrecking ball" (Miley Cyrus, "Wrecking Ball").
"Every breath you take, every move you make" (The Police, "Every Breath You Take").
"I will always love you" (Whitney Houston, "I Will Always Love You").
"All of the lights, all of the night" (Kanye West, "All of the Lights").
"Catch me dancing with a stranger" (Calvin Harris, "Feel So Close").
"I’m feeling so electric" (Dua Lipa, "Electricity").
Quoting Two Lines of Song Lyrics
"I'm holding on for dear life / Gonna keep raising my flag high" (Lewis, "Raise Your Flag").
"We were both young when I first saw you / I close my eyes and the flashback starts" (Swift, "Love Story").
"You say I'm crazy, 'cause you don't think I know / That there's someone else on your mind" (Gotye, "Somebody That I Used to Know").
"I’m not afraid to take a stand / Everybody come take my hand" (Eminem, "Not Afraid").
"It’s been a long day without you, my friend / And I’ll tell you all about it when I see you again" (Mars, "Count On Me").
"I’ve paid my dues, time after time / I’ve done my sentence, but committed no crime" (Queen, "We Are the Champions").
"Let’s go all the way tonight / No regrets, just love" (Bruno Mars, "Just the Way You Are").
"Don’t you worry 'bout a thing / 'Cause I’m singing la, la, la, la, la" (Stevie Wonder, "Don’t You Worry 'Bout a Thing").
"I was dreaming more than I was living / Now I’m falling, I believe" (Coldplay, "Fix You").
"Turn up the music, turn up the sound / We’re going to lose control now" (LMFAO, "Party Rock Anthem").
"You’re insecure, don’t know what for / You’re turning heads when you walk through the door" (Ke$ha, "TiK ToK").
"I got that sunshine in my pocket / Got that good soul in my feet" (Maroon 5, "Sugar").
Block Quotes for Long Song Excerpts (Three or More Lines)
When quoting three or more lines, indent the entire excerpt one inch from the left margin:
"I’m giving you all my love
I want your ecstasy
I want your loving arms around me
I want you, I need you" (Jackson, "I Want You Back").
For longer passages, maintain line breaks:
"Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away
Now it looks as though they're here to stay
Oh, I believe in yesterday" (Beatles, "Yesterday").
"I hear Jerusalem bells a-ringing
Soldiers passing by sing a song of sorrow and pride
And their voices are calling to me, saying"
(John Lennon, "Imagine").
"She had a photo of her mother in her wallet
She said, ‘I want to be like her someday’
But all her friends said, ‘You’re already amazing’"
(Train, "Hey, Soul Sister").
"We don’t talk anymore, we don’t talk anymore
We don’t talk anymore, like we used to do
We don’t love anymore, what was all of it for?"
(Shawn Mendes, "There’s Nothing Holdin’ Me Back").
"I took a chance, I took a shot
And you might think I’m bulletproof, but I’m not
You took a swing, I took it hard"
(Pink, "Try").
"I see trees of green, red roses too
I see them bloom for me and you
And I think to myself, what a wonderful world"
(Louis Armstrong, "What a Wonderful World").
"I follow the night, chasing the sun
Trying to find where I belong
I’ve been running fast before it’s gone"
(OneRepublic, "Good Life").
"Lightning strikes, maybe once, maybe twice
And if you’re wondering how I’m still alive
I’m alive because of you"
(Usher, "Because of You").
"I’m on the edge of glory, and I’m hanging on a moment with you
And I’m on the edge of glory, and I’m hanging on a moment that’s true"
(Gaga, "Edge of Glory").
"You’re the voice I trust the most / You’re the light when all else is lost / You’re the reason I still fight"
(Kelly Clarkson, "Stronger").
"We were born to be somebody / We were born to be brave / We were born to run this race"
(Nickelback, "If Today Was Your Last Day").
Quoting Lyrics from Digital Streaming Platforms (Spotify, Apple Music)
"I'm not here for you" (Smith, "Too Good at Goodbyes"), Spotify.
"I can't breathe without you" (Bieber, "Sorry"), Apple Music.
"We could live like royalty" (Sia, "Chandelier"), Spotify.
"You don’t have to say you love me" (Sam Smith, "Stay With Me"), Apple Music.
"I’m not perfect, but I hope you see my worth" (Lorde, "Royals"), Spotify.
"This love has taken its toll on me" (Linkin Park, "Numb"), Apple Music.
"I’ll never let you down" (Ed Sheeran, "Photograph"), Spotify.
"You’re the piece of me I wish I didn’t need" (Ellie Goulding, "How Long Will I Love You"), Apple Music.
"I’m breaking free from everything" (ZAYN, "Dusk Till Dawn"), Spotify.
"I just wanna dance with you" (Harry Styles, "Adore You"), Apple Music.
"We could write a book on how we started" (Ariana Grande, "Break Free"), Spotify.
"I’m stronger than I ever thought I’d be" (Christina Aguilera, "Fighter"), Apple Music.
Citing Song Lyrics from Physical Albums or CDs
"I was born this way" (Lady Gaga, *Born This Way*, Interscope, 2011).
"I’m just a soul whose intentions are good" (Marley, *Legend*, Island Records, 1984).
"Another one bites the dust" (Queen, *The Game*, Elektra, 1980).
"I get knocked down, but I get up again" (Chumbawamba, *Tubthumper*, EMI, 1997).
"I’m every woman, it’s all in me" (Whitney Houston, *Whitney*, Arista, 1985).
"Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be" (Beatles, *Let It Be*, Apple Records, 1970).
"I want to hold your hand" (Beatles, *Meet the Beatles!*, Capitol, 1964).
"I’m singing in the rain, just singing in the rain" (Gene Kelly, *Singin’ in the Rain*, MGM, 1952).
"I fought the law and the law won" (The Clash, *London Calling*, CBS, 1979).
"I’m a survivor, I’m not gonna give up" (Destiny’s Child, *Survivor*, Columbia, 2001).
"I’m on fire, burning desire" (Bruce Springsteen, *Born in the U.S.A.*, Columbia, 1984).
"I’ll be there for you" (Bon Jovi, *New Jersey*, Mercury, 1988).
Quoting Lyrics from Online Lyrics Websites (e.g., Genius, AZLyrics)
"I’m walking on sunshine" (Katrina and the Waves, Genius.com).
"I’m not in love, so don’t forget it" (10cc, AZLyrics.com).
"I’m just a bill, yes, I’m only a bill" (Schoolhouse Rock, Genius.com).
"I’ve seen fire and I’ve seen rain" (James Taylor, AZLyrics.com).
"I’m a believer, I couldn’t leave her if I tried" (The Monkees, Genius.com).
"I’m stuck on you, can’t get enough" (Elvis Presley, AZLyrics.com).
"I’m a cowboy, on a steel horse I ride" (Bon Jovi, Genius.com).
"I’m losing my mind, over someone new" (Ne-Yo, AZLyrics.com).
"I’m flying without wings" (Westlife, Genius.com).
"I’m golden, shining bright" (Demi Lovato, AZLyrics.com).
"I’m breathing in the air of freedom" (Michael Jackson, Genius.com).
"I’m rising up, I’m doing it right now" (Rachel Platten, AZLyrics.com).
Quoting Translated Song Lyrics
"I dreamt I was flying over Paris" (Daft Punk, trans. English, *Random Access Memories*).
"The sea sings a quiet lullaby" (Enigma, trans. English, *MCMXC a.D.*).
"My heart beats only for you" (Rammstein, trans. English, *Sehnsucht*).
"Time passes, but love remains" (Yiruma, trans. English, *River Flows in You*).
"I remember the stars above us" (Kygo, trans. English, *Cloud Nine*).
"I gave you my soul, but you threw it away" (Stromae, trans. English, *Racine carrée*).
"We danced until morning light" (Caro Emerald, trans. English, *Debut Album*).
"You were my sun, my moon" (Luis Fonsi, trans. English, *Vida*).
"I searched the world for you" (Aventura, trans. English, *God’s Project*).
"The wind carried your voice" (Buena Vista Social Club, trans. English, *Buena Vista Social Club*).
"I wrote your name in the sand" (José González, trans. English, *Veneer*).
"You lit the darkness inside me" (Of Monsters and Men, trans. English, *My Head Is an Animal*).
Quoting Partial Lines or Fragments
"...only a shadow of a man" (U2, "Where the Streets Have No Name").
"just a small town girl..." (Journey, "Don’t Stop Believin’").
"...living in a lonely world" (Alanis Morissette, "Ironic").
"dancing in the dark..." (Bruce Springsteen, "Dancing in the Dark").
"...trying to make some money" (Pink Floyd, "Money").
"under the bridge downtown..." (Red Hot Chili Peppers, "Under the Bridge").
"...wishing on a star" (Rose Royce, "Love Don’t Live Here Anymore").
"running down the highway..." (Eagles, "Take It Easy").
"...lost in the crowd" (Coldplay, "Lost!").
"standing in the rain..." (Cyndi Lauper, "True Colors").
"...chasing dreams in the night" (Avicii, "Wake Me Up").
"whispering your name..." (The Righteous Brothers, "Unchained Melody").
Quoting Lyrics with Commentary or Analysis
"I’m not afraid of the dark" (Beyoncé, "XO") reflects empowerment through vulnerability.
"They paved paradise and put up a parking lot" (Mitchell, "Big Yellow Taxi") critiques environmental destruction.
"I am titanium" (Sia, "Titanium") symbolizes emotional resilience.
"We are the champions, my friends" (Queen, "We Are the Champions") celebrates perseverance.
"Let freedom ring" (U2, "Pride") evokes civil rights imagery.
"Nothing ever lasts forever" (Bon Jovi, "Always") explores impermanence in love.
"I’m just a kid" (Simple Plan, "I’m Just a Kid") captures adolescent anxiety.
"I will survive" (Gloria Gaynor, "I Will Survive") embodies post-breakup strength.
"Wake me up when September ends" (Green Day, "Wake Me Up") mourns personal loss.
"Firestarter, low-level panic" (Prodigy, "Firestarter") channels rebellion.
"We’re all in this together" (High School Musical) promotes unity.
"I got life, I got love" (India.Arie, "Video") affirms self-worth.
Omitting Words Using Ellipses in Song Quotes
"I’m not... the kind of girl you take home" (Pink, "Just Like a Pill").
"We found love... in a hopeless place" (Rihanna, "We Found Love").
"You’re... beautiful, it’s true" (James Blunt, "You're Beautiful").
"I came in... like a wrecking ball" (Miley Cyrus, "Wrecking Ball").
"Hello... from the other side" (Adele, "Hello").
"Shake it off... I'm on my way" (Taylor Swift, "Shake It Off").
"All... of the lights" (Kanye West, "All of the Lights").
"I’m feeling... electric" (Dua Lipa, "Electricity").
"Catch me... dancing with a stranger" (Calvin Harris, "Feel So Close").
"I’m gonna swing... from the chandeliers" (Sia, "Chandelier").
"We were both young... when I first saw you" (Taylor Swift, "Love Story").
"I took a chance... I took a shot" (Pink, "Try").
Schlussworte
Quoting song lyrics in MLA format requires attention to detail, consistency, and respect for intellectual property. Whether you're citing a single line, a full stanza, or lyrics from a streaming service, proper attribution ensures your work remains credible and academically sound. This guide has walked you through ten essential scenarios—from short quotes to translated texts—providing real-world examples and correct formatting. By applying these principles, writers can enrich their arguments with lyrical evidence while adhering to scholarly standards. Remember: clarity, accuracy, and context are key. With practice, integrating music into academic discourse becomes not only permissible but powerful.
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