How to cite podcasts, songs, and audio recordings in APA 7

References and in-text citations for audio works

This guide shows how to create the APA reference and in-text citations for albums, songs, podcasts, podcast episodes, archived radio interviews, and recorded speeches.

The author changes with the work. For modern music, use the recording artist or group. For classical music, use the composer. A podcast credits the host or executive producer with their role. An archived interview places the interviewee in the author position.

Podcast episode structure

Host, A. A. (Host). (Year, Month Day). Episode title (No. episode) [Audio podcast episode]. In Podcast title. Production Company. URL

Omit the episode number when none exists. The description should identify whether the podcast is audio or video.

Podcast episode example

The names, details, and address are illustrative.

Reference

Salas, M. P. (Host). (2024, April 16). Learning to read a source (No. 18) [Audio podcast episode]. In Open classroom. University Radio. https://example.com/podcast/episode-18

Parenthetical citationThe source is identified in parentheses, normally with the author and year: (Perez, 2024).

(Salas, 2024)

Narrative citationThe author is part of the sentence and the year appears in parentheses: Perez (2024).

Salas (2024)

Albums and songs

For an album, place the artist in the author position, add [Album] after the title, and include the record label as source. For a song, add [Song] and then identify the album containing it.

For recorded classical music, use the composer as author, identify the performer in brackets, and retain both the original and recording years when required. The citation shows both years.

You normally do not need to identify the listening platform unless it is the only way to retrieve the work or the specific version matters.

When you reproduce the exact words from a podcast, interview, or recorded speech, add the timestamp where the direct quotation begins.

More audio examples

All names, titles, and addresses are illustrative.

Music album

Reference

Clear North. (2023). Maps for returning [Album]. Southern Sound.

Parenthetical citation:The source is identified in parentheses, normally with the author and year: (Perez, 2024). (Clear North, 2023)

Narrative citation:The author is part of the sentence and the year appears in parentheses: Perez (2024). Clear North (2023)

Song

Reference

Clear North. (2023). Paper bridges [Song]. On Maps for returning. Southern Sound.

Parenthetical citation:The source is identified in parentheses, normally with the author and year: (Perez, 2024). (Clear North, 2023)

Narrative citation:The author is part of the sentence and the year appears in parentheses: Perez (2024). Clear North (2023)

Complete podcast

Reference

Salas, M. P. (Host). (2021–present). Open classroom [Audio podcast]. University Radio. https://example.com/podcast/open-classroom

Parenthetical citation:The source is identified in parentheses, normally with the author and year: (Perez, 2024). (Salas, 2021–present)

Narrative citation:The author is part of the sentence and the year appears in parentheses: Perez (2024). Salas (2021–present)

Archived radio interview

Reference

Mendoza, R. L. (2022, September 14). Learning to research without losing curiosity [Radio interview]. In Archive of education voices. Public Radio. https://example.com/archive/mendoza

Parenthetical citation:The source is identified in parentheses, normally with the author and year: (Perez, 2024). (Mendoza, 2022)

Narrative citation:The author is part of the sentence and the year appears in parentheses: Perez (2024). Mendoza (2022)

When the interview is not published or is part of your study's data, review the distinction between personal interviews and research participant interviews.

Speech audio recording

Reference

Valenzuela, C. M. (2019, November 3). The university as a meeting place [Audio recording of speech]. University Historical Archive. https://example.com/speeches/meeting-place

Parenthetical citation:The source is identified in parentheses, normally with the author and year: (Perez, 2024). (Valenzuela, 2019)

Narrative citation:The author is part of the sentence and the year appears in parentheses: Perez (2024). Valenzuela (2019)

How to check the reference

• You selected the author according to the type of audio.
• You added the host or producer role when required.
• You described the format in square brackets.
• You included the episode number only when one exists.
• The citation uses the primary creator and year.

See the APA reference types.