Quoting Song Lyrics or Naming a Song, Or Possibly Group/Singer

Can you quote music lyrics in a book?

Like this:

Stuck in traffic, main character is blasting Rage Against the Machine, Testify

[insert song lyrics excerpt here]

Or is that a legal issue?

What if we say:

Stuck in traffic, main character is blasting Rage Against the Machine, Testify. He strikes his palm against the dashboard in beat with the tune.

So now the reader (assumed to be familiar with the song) is playing it in his head and enjoying the scene with the thought we've provoked.

Or must we be reduced to saying "Stuck in traffic, main character is blasting a popular metal-rap song from the late 90's..."

How is this best achieved within legal limits? Get Zack de la Rocha's phone number?

posted almost 10 years ago

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