How do I denote lyrics in prose? Do you just use quotations?

wasted youth · External Since: Nov 25, 2006 Posts: 1

I need to know how to specify that a phrase is indeed a lyric from a song.
It's for a t-shirt. Do I use quotations, or do I use that musical note
symbol?

Suzanne S. Barnhill · External Since: Sep 26, 2003 Posts: 24065

I don't think there's any set way. Quotation marks will do. But keep in mind
that you may run into copyright issues; most song lyrics are heavily
protected by ASCAP or BMI, and a permission fee will usually have to be paid
for quoting even the tiniest scrap of protected lyrics (there is no "fair
use" doctrine wrt song lyrics).

--
Suzanne S. Barnhill
Microsoft MVP (Word)
Words into Type
Fairhope, Alabama USA
Word MVP FAQ site: http://word.mvps.org
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"wasted youth" <wasted youth DeleteThis @discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:73418A90-DDC8-4968-81B2-ABA49CAD48D9@microsoft.com...
> I need to know how to specify that a phrase is indeed a lyric from a song.
> It's for a t-shirt. Do I use quotations, or do I use that musical note
> symbol?

Dan Freeman · External Since: Jun 29, 2006 Posts: 112

In addition to what Suzanne said, the best way to identify text as a musical
lyric is to include it with the melody on a musical staff. Word is not the
right tool for this.

You'd need something like Finale or Sibelius, which would make a proper
musical notation that can then be pasted into a Word document.

THEN you'd have a proper reference and could start dealing with the ASCAP
and BMI attorneys who don't give a hang about your intentions. All they want
is money. (And as a former professional musician who still receives royalty
checks, I bless their black little hearts!)

Dan

wasted youth wrote:
> I need to know how to specify that a phrase is indeed a lyric from a
> song. It's for a t-shirt. Do I use quotations, or do I use that
> musical note symbol?