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An author just asked me about quoting song lyrics in books, and since I typed up a whole email answer including an example I thought I'd share it here in case it's helpful! So, first off: if you're going to use song lyrics of any length, you should probably get permission. 1/8
You might hear "two lines is fine" - but that's not in any law, that's just a rule of thumb that some people use, and isn't going to protect you. Your publisher is not going to tell you it's ok, basically - it's on you to decide. 2/8
So you want to get a quote, see if it's a reasonable amount of money. It often is! Sometimes only a couple hundred dollars, depending, and maybe that's worth it to you for just the right lyric. But how do you get yourself a quote? 3/8
Here is where the maze begins. Who is the song's music publisher - meaning who can grant you a print license? Go to http://ascap.com or http://bmi.com and search for the song. I tried to find "Vogue" by Madonna. Here it is! 4/8 https://www.ascap.com/repertory#ace/search/workID/520105119
It says the publisher is 4 different divisions of Warner Chappell music. That's ok. Sometimes it's 4 different entities entirely, which means 4 different requests. This just means you need to go to Warner Chappell music. Here it is again! 5/8 https://www.warnerchappell.com/song-details/WW%20001277255%2000/7f77eb23-e508-4b74-89d9-19476f28a01e
And there's even a button on that page that says "print license." That's what you want, whoo! But that link brings you to ANOTHER company's website, Alfred Music. And the link's broken, lol. 6/8
But Alfred Music explains how to request a print license. Do that, which means providing a bunch of info about your book, publisher, list price, quantity, territory, etc, and they'll get back to you in 45 days. Hooray? 7/8 https://www.alfred.com/licensing/
At this point maybe you want to give up & re-write the scene. That is valid. But maybe you really want those lyrics. In which case, godspeed! Hope this helps. 8/8
PS because a lot of people wondered: it is totally fine to just say “Vogue by Madonna was playing” and you do not need permission to do so.
