Song lyrics?

If you use song lyrics in your works, do you obtain permission? Writers of song lyrics are authors too, and should be able to profit from it. Or to allow lyrics to be used gratis if they so choose. There seems to be a difference between the lyrics and the title of the song.

Writers Digest has a good article onthe subject, and it can be found here:
http://blog.writersdigest.com/qq/Can+I+Use+Song+Lyrics+In+My+Manuscript.aspx

There are other good articles at that location also, through the links provided on that site.

Zada,

That article goes along pretty closely with what I've read and heard previously about song lyrics. I was fortunate to be able to get permission to use one of Murphy's songs in my book. If I had not, I would never have used it.

Ann

It seems to be a question that pops up now and then, so I thought I would post it here. I may need it in the future since music plays an important part in our lives.

Thanks for posting the link, Zada. I often use song and movie titles in my books.

When I have used the title of a song in my book, I go ahead and use it with the name of the artist. I have never asked permission for that, and I do not think that there is any kind of copyright infringement in doing so. Lyrics would probably be a bigger issue, though not hard to get around...every time I have asked for permission to include something in my writing, I have been granted permission. This includes copies of five articles, from private researchers to the government, that I am including in a course that I will be leading about 4 weeks from now.

I think most writers simply want to be acknowledged, and to have their work accurately cited.