Song titles in stories

[Kelliezgirl]

What are the rules/parameters for using whole songs with lyrics in your work? The current story I'm writing is about a musical artist and one of the songs he sings is a real song from the real life artist my character is based on. If I use the real life song, how do you credit it? Like how to provide a citation? Or is it something I shouldn't do?

There is a great deal of debate about that. Many of us have used a few lines and not had an issue.
Here is one lawyer's perspective.
https://dorianbox.com/song-lyrics-in-fiction-fair-use-doctrine/

 

[RawSilhouette]

There is a great deal of debate about that. Many of us have used a few lines and not had an issue.
Here is one lawyer's perspective.
https://dorianbox.com/song-lyrics-in-fiction-fair-use-doctrine/

I think you might be my new best friend. Thank you. This is extremely helpful.

 

[Kelliezgirl]

I think you might be my new best friend. Thank you. This is extremely helpful.

You are welcome. I extend it with the caveat that, as with any legal issue, you will get differing opinions.

 

[iwatchus]

Are you citing the lyrics? If so, cite only one or two lines and you should be okay; start citing too many, and it's likely your story will get rejected, no matter what attribution you give.

I did quote the entire lyrics for a song in one story. I guess I just got lucky.

 

[MelissaBaby]

I did quote the entire lyrics for a song in one story. I guess I just got lucky.

I did it several times before I found out it was not allowed. I thought giving an attribution was sufficient.

 

[Five_Inch_Heels]

I don't even quote lyrics as such usually, but I'll build hem into a story line.

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a gold anklet and those shoes. Little red shoes.​

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I got to have my independence, but I didn't know just where to start until I started wearing these shoes and that pretty little chain around my ankle. I felt more free today than I had since the last time I wore them ​

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I'd learned early on that city girls can do more than open doors with just a smile and I decided to play it up a bit. ​

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​

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I know people hate my stuff anyways, but ....

 

[ElectricBlue]

I did quote the entire lyrics for a song in one story. I guess I just got lucky.

You did. I came up against Laurel's position years ago when I tried to quote a translation of a Russian poem - with full attribution to the poet and the translator. The most Laurel would allow was every second stanza, which lost much of the purpose, since the whole poem was only four stanzas.

 

[Voyeurkenneth]

You did. I came up against Laurel's position years ago when I tried to quote a translation of a Russian poem - with full attribution to the poet and the translator. The most Laurel would allow was every second stanza, which lost much of the purpose, since the whole poem was only four stanzas.

If you don't mind, can I get a clarification on every second stanza?

A stanza as I understand (and googled), is a grouping of lines. So if your poem had 4 stanzas, then are you saying only stanza #2 and stanza #4 were allowed ("every second stanza")?

 

[Actingup]

I would suggest that you do what seems reasonable and respectful and be prepared to compromise as needed. There won’t be a hard and fast legal position, other than that it’s fine to quote song titles.

For what it’s worth, after the previous discussion I substantially reduced the quoting in my last story, and it went through ok.

 

[ElectricBlue]

If you don't mind, can I get a clarification on every second stanza?

A stanza as I understand (and googled), is a grouping of lines. So if your poem had 4 stanzas, then are you saying only stanza #2 and stanza #4 were allowed ("every second stanza")?

Correct - I did in fact choose the 2nd and 4th verses, because the very last line was the point of the poem. It lost the whole point of the quote, but kept at least part of it.