Do You Italicize Song Titles? A Complete Guide

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When it comes to academic writing or professional content creation, proper formatting plays an essential role in maintaining clarity and credibility. One common question students ask is: “Do you italicize song titles?” The short answer is no—you do not italicize individual song titles. Instead, song titles are placed inside quotation marks, while larger works such as albums are italicized.

Understanding the correct way to format song titles is especially important in essays, research papers, or any academic work where you must cite or analyze music. At Study Unicorn, we help students not only with assignments but also with mastering academic writing standards like these.

Do You Italicize Song Titles in Writing?

According to most style guides, including MLA, APA, and Chicago Style, song titles should not be italicized. Instead:

Use quotation marks for songs.
Example: Beyoncé’s “Halo” is one of her most popular songs.

Italicize album titles or longer works.
Example: Beyoncé’s album I Am… Sasha Fierce includes the song “Halo.”

This rule applies across different forms of writing—whether you are working on an essay, a research paper, or a thesis.

Why Song Titles Use Quotation Marks Instead of Italics

The reasoning behind this formatting rule is fairly simple:

Italics are reserved for larger, standalone works, such as books, movies, albums, or journals.

Quotation marks are used for shorter pieces that are part of a larger whole, such as articles, essays, poems, or songs.

Think of it this way: if the piece is part of something bigger, it goes in quotation marks. If it is the complete larger work, it should be italicized.

Examples for Clarity

Correct: The Beatles’ album Abbey Road features the classic song “Come Together.”

Incorrect: The Beatles’ album “Abbey Road” features the classic song Come Together.

By remembering this distinction, you can avoid one of the most common formatting mistakes in academic writing.

Do You Italicize Song Titles in Essays and Research Papers?

If you are writing a college essay, thesis, or research paper, it is critical to follow your formatting style consistently. For example:

In APA style, songs go in quotation marks, and albums are italicized.

In MLA style, the same rule applies.

In Chicago style, quotation marks are also used for individual songs.

So, whether you are analyzing lyrics in a literature essay or referencing music in a history paper, the answer remains the same: do not italicize song titles—use quotation marks instead.

Final Thoughts

The question “Do you italicize song titles?” may seem small, but the details of formatting can make a big difference in how polished and professional your work appears. Always remember:

Song titles = Quotation Marks

Album titles = Italics

At Study Unicorn, our team of academic experts ensures that your essays, assignments, and dissertations follow every formatting rule perfectly. From grammar to structure to citation styles, we help students achieve the highest academic writing standards.

So next time you wonder about formatting—whether it’s do you italicize song titles or how to cite a research paper—remember, the details matter, and we’re here to guide you every step of the way