Quoting song lyrics with credit?

[Chalula88]

Hey Everyone,

I know this topic has been covered a couple of times in regards to using song lyrics, but what I want to do is use song lyrics at the beginning of chapters/sub-chapters when I switch my novel's pov. But, I want to credit the band.

Example:

Chapter X

"One or two lines of a song" - Band name

Would this be possible? One or two credited lines? What if I credited the writer and the band? Or the song, writer, and band?

This concept is integral to my plot - I don't want to do this just to do it.

If there is no way to use song lyrics, what could I use in place of them? What are the laws for personal quotes? Such as something you'd find on a quote search website?

Song lyrics are my #1 choice. Any advice would be greatly appreciated! And if it makes a difference, I would be using indie/alternative/lesser known lyrics for the majority.

Thanks!

[Madison]

You would probably have to pay $$$ or $$$$$$ depending on the band... I guess I personally don't know for sure, but that's just what I've read.

Maybe the concept shouldn't be integral to your plot. I mean, if the book's about bands or something it'd be cute, but I'd suggest turning somewhere else.

[Chalula88]

I guess integrals not the right word...I just think it would significantly improve the work and style.

If I turn elsewhere, what are the laws for quotes?

[Kitty Pryde]

Neil Gaiman explains what he had to do here: http://journal.neilgaiman.com/2001/02/american-gods-blog-post-2_09.html He said in 2001 most lyric lines cost about $150 for permission to use--and the author pays, not the publisher!

[underthecity]

To answer your main question, you put the lyrics, then underneath that will say Copyright 2000, Ajax Music Company, All Rights Reserved.

Or something to that effect. If you're serious about this, and if you have a publisher lined up, you have to go through ascap (http://www.ascap.com), type in the song name or group and see who owns the rights to that particular song.

Then you have to contact that company and ask how much rights cost. They might ask, how many lines, for what kind of book, who's publishing it, and maybe what kind of print run. Then they'll say upwards of several hundred to several thousand dollars.

"Quote search websites" is kind of a grey area. That's sort of fair-use, but really, the websites aren't getting any money for listing the quotes. Your book, OTOH, is a for-profit venture. If you print someone else's copyrighted work in your book, they'll eventually find out and make you pay.