Songwriting is a craft, and like any craft, attention to detail matters. While the lyrics and melody are undeniably crucial, the way you format your song titles plays a surprisingly significant role in how your work is perceived and accessed. This beginner's guide will walk you through the essential formatting rules and best practices for song titles, helping you present your creations in the most professional and effective way.
How Should I Format a Song Title?
The most common and generally accepted way to format a song title is to capitalize the first letter of each word (except for articles, prepositions, and conjunctions unless they're the first or last word). This is known as title case. For example:
- Correct: "The Ballad of John Henry"
- Incorrect: "the ballad of john henry" or "The ballad of John henry"
This consistent capitalization ensures readability and professionalism, particularly when your song titles appear in playlists, album art, or online databases.
What About Punctuation in Song Titles?
Punctuation within song titles should be used correctly and consistently. Don't overuse exclamation points or question marks, as this can appear unprofessional. Use commas, semicolons, and other punctuation marks as needed to maintain grammatical correctness and clarity. For example:
- Correct: "A Summer's Day Dreaming, Part II"
- Correct: "Is This the End?; A Question of Fate"
- Incorrect: "a summers day dreaming!!!!!!!!"
How Do I Format Song Titles in Different Contexts?
The context in which you present your song title affects the formatting.
Within the Song Itself:
Within the body of the song's lyrics (if you include the title as a lyrical element), you can adapt the formatting to fit the overall lyrical style. However, maintaining consistency throughout the song is essential.
On an Album or Playlist:
Here, strict title case formatting is crucial for professional presentation. It's also crucial for searchability, as many digital music platforms rely on this consistent formatting for their search algorithms.
In a Printed Score:
Similar to album/playlist presentation, title case is the standard for printed scores. Consider the overall design of the score and ensure the title stands out appropriately, but remains consistent with the established formatting rules.
Should I Italicize or Use Quotation Marks Around Song Titles?
Generally, song titles are italicized in written text. This is consistent with the standard formatting for titles of works of art, including books, films, and albums. For example: "Yesterday" or "Dancing Queen". Quotation marks are typically reserved for shorter works, like song lyrics that are presented as a quote within a larger text.
What About Subtitles in Song Titles?
Many songs include subtitles. Format these the same way as the main title. For example: "My Heart Will Go On (Love Theme from Titanic)". The use of parenthesis or a colon to separate the main title from the subtitle is common and considered acceptable.
How Do I Handle Special Characters or Accents in Song Titles?
This can depend upon the platform or medium of your presentation. It’s best to maintain consistency. If the software or platform you're using supports the characters correctly, then use them. If there are technical issues using special characters in certain places, consider alternatives but note the differences for your own future referencing.
What if My Song Title is Already in a Different Style?
If your song title is intentionally unconventional (e.g., all lowercase, all uppercase, or uses unconventional punctuation), maintain consistency. But be aware that this might impact searchability and professional presentation on some platforms.
By following these guidelines, you can ensure your song titles are well-formatted, easy to read, and make the best possible impression. Remember, consistent formatting across all mediums is key to maintaining a professional image and maximizing discoverability.
