FAQ: How do I cite a song or album in Chicago Style?

Notes & Bibliography

General Notes Format

2. Name of Group or Performer, "Title of Song," recorded date, track # on Title of Album, Label, year of release, medium.

OR

3. Name of Group or Performer, "Title of Song," track # on Title of Album, Label, year of release, medium.

OR

4. Composer, Title of Album, with Performer/Ensemble, conducted by Conductor, recorded date, Label Label number, year of release, medium.

For Example:

3.  Imagine Dragons, "Thunder," track 9 on Evolve, Interscope Records, 2017, compact disc.

OR

3. Maurice Ravel,  Ravel: Volume Two, with the Philharmonia Orchestra, conducted by Geoffrey Simon, Cala Records CACD 1005, 1991, compact disc.

Corresponding Bibliography Entry (don't forget to indent the second and subsequent lines):

Imagine Dragons, "Thunder." Recorded September 2016 - May 2017. Track 9 on Evolve. Interscope Records, 2017, compact disc.

Ravel, Maurice. Ravel: Volume Two. The Philharmonia Orchestra. Geoffrey Simon. Cala Records CACD 1005, 1991, compact disc.

See 14.263: Musical recordings for more information. 

Author-Date

General Reference Page Entry Format:

Name of Group or Performer. Year of Original Release/Recording. "Title of Song." Track # on Title of Album. Label, Year of Release (if different), medium.

OR

Name of Composer, Conductor, or Performer (depends on who you emphasize in your paper). Year of Original Release/Recording. Title of Album. Name of Composer, Conductor, and/or Performer (if they are not listed at the beginning of the Reference List entry). Label Label number, Year of Release (if different), medium.

For Example:

Imagine Dragons. 2017. "Thunder." Track 9 on Evolve. Interscope Records, compact disc.

OR

Ravel, Maurice. 1991. Ravel: Volume Two. The Philharmonia Orchestra. Geoffrey Simon. Cala Records CACD 1005, compact disc.

Corresponding In-Text Entry:

(Imagine Dragons 2017)

OR

(Imagine Dragons 2017 "Thunder")

(Ravel 1991)

Note: Musical recordings are usually listed in a separate discography and not listed in a bibliography.

Note: “Label number” refers to the catalog number for the recording. This information can be found on the back cover or online at websites like Discogs.

More Information

• Chicago Manual of Style (Chicago Manual of Style)
• Chicago Style Guide (Shapiro Library)

Further Help

This information is intended to be a guideline, not expert advice. Please be sure to speak to your professor about the appropriate way to cite sources in your class assignments and projects.

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