Song titles can be tricky to punctuate. Do you use italics? Quotation marks? What about capitalization? The rules can seem confusing, but there's a simple trick that will make it easy. This guide will clarify song title punctuation, helping you confidently format your music writing and avoid common mistakes. We'll cover the basics, address some frequently asked questions, and leave you feeling like a punctuation pro.
The Simple Trick: Italicize Song Titles
The simplest way to punctuate song titles is to italicize them. This is the standard style guide used by most music publications, academic sources, and style manuals. Regardless of the length or complexity of the title, italicizing is consistently reliable. For example:
- Bohemian Rhapsody
- Stairway to Heaven
- September
- All Too Well (10 Minute Version) (Taylor's Version)
This method avoids the complexities of quotation marks, which can be inconsistent and lead to errors. Using italics eliminates ambiguity and ensures your song title is clearly identified.
What About Album Titles?
While song titles are italicized, album titles are generally enclosed in quotation marks. This distinction helps differentiate between a single song and a collection of songs. For instance:
"Rumours" contains the song Go Your Own Way.
"Thriller" contains the song Billie Jean.
Do I Need to Capitalize Every Word in a Song Title?
No, you don't need to capitalize every word. Follow standard title capitalization rules: capitalize the first and last words, and all major words (nouns, pronouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs). Articles (a, an, the), conjunctions (and, but, or), and prepositions (of, in, on) are typically lowercase unless they are the first or last word. For example:
- The Scientist (Capitalize "The" because it's the first word)
- Across the Universe (Capitalize "Across," "Universe," but not "the")
- Don't Stop Believin' (Capitalize "Don't" and "Believin'")
How Do I Punctuate Song Titles in a Bibliography or Works Cited Page?
The rules for song titles in bibliographies are similar to those used in regular text. Italicize the song title and follow the citation style guide's specific formatting instructions for album titles and artist information. Remember to be consistent with your chosen citation style (MLA, APA, Chicago, etc.).
How Do I Punctuate Song Titles Within a Sentence?
When a song title appears within a sentence, it's still italicized. There is no need to add extra punctuation beyond the standard italicization. For example:
"My favorite song is Bohemian Rhapsody."
What if a Song Title Contains a Sub-Title or Parenthetical Information?
Italicize the entire title, including the subtitle or parenthetical information. For example:
- All Too Well (10 Minute Version) (Taylor's Version)
What About Song Titles in Different Languages?
The rule of italicization generally applies regardless of the language. Simply italicize the song title as you would an English-language title.
Conclusion: Simplicity Reigns Supreme
By adhering to the simple rule of italicizing song titles, you can avoid many common punctuation pitfalls. Remembering this key principle, along with the rules for album titles and title capitalization, will greatly enhance the clarity and professionalism of your writing. Now go forth and punctuate your song titles with confidence!
