a song called

USAGE SUMMARY

"a song called" is correct and can be used in written English.
For example, "I heard a song called 'Moonlight' that I really liked."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was a song called "Dear You".

The New York Times - Magazine

There is a song called "65 Roses".

The New York Times

Yep, there's a song called NASA.

The Washington Post

"I sang a song called Sugar Time.

The Guardian - Music

"So we wrote a song called that".

The New York Times - Arts

DMX promises a song called "Ruled Out".

The New York Times

We have a song called "The Warmth".

The New York Times

Radiohead's ticket to fame was a song called "Creep".

The New Yorker

J. D. McDonald has a song called "Boogaloo Santa Claus".

The New York Times

"We're going to do a song called 'Cannonball,' " he said.

The New York Times

She sings a song called "Jar of Hearts".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing music, use "a song called" to clearly introduce a song's title. This provides context and prevents ambiguity for your audience.

Common error

Avoid substituting "a song called" with "a song titled" in contexts where the emphasis is not solely on the title. "A song called" provides a broader introduction, while "a song titled" specifically focuses on the naming aspect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a song called" functions as a prepositional phrase used to introduce or identify a song by its title. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely employed. The structure clearly indicates that a song exists and proceeds to specify its name.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a song called" is a grammatically sound and highly prevalent way to introduce a song's title across various contexts. It enjoys widespread usage in news, media, and general conversation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is considered correct and appropriate. While alternative phrases exist, "a song called" offers a straightforward and effective means of identifying a specific musical work. Its frequency and presence in authoritative sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian underscore its reliability and acceptance in English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a track titled

Replaces "song" with "track", offering a more contemporary feel, especially in music discussions.

a tune named

Replaces "song" with "tune" and "called" with "named", creating a slightly more informal and folksy tone.

a piece entitled

Substitutes "song" with "piece" and "called" with "entitled", suitable for broader artistic compositions, not just songs.

a single called

Specifically refers to a song released as a single, adding a commercial context.

a number called

Replaces "song" with "number", providing a slightly more old-fashioned feel.

a composition known as

Uses more formal language, replacing "song" with "composition" and "called" with "known as", suitable for academic or critical writing.

a melody entitled

Uses "melody" instead of "song" and "entitled" instead of "called", focusing on the musical aspect.

the song is titled

Emphasizes the act of naming, using a passive voice construction.

there's a song known as

Adds a conversational element, indicating the existence of a song with a specific name.

song title

Shorter phrase that directly indicates the title of a song, suitable for lists or summaries.

FAQs

How can I use "a song called" in a sentence?

You can use "a song called" to introduce the title of a song you're referring to, like: "I recently discovered "a song called" 'Starlight' by Muse."

What are some alternatives to "a song called"?

Alternatives include "a track titled", "a piece entitled", or "a tune named", depending on the context and the desired level of formality.

Is it correct to say "a song that is called" instead of "a song called"?

While grammatically correct, "a song that is called" is more verbose. "A song called" is more concise and commonly used.

What's the difference between "a song called" and "the name of the song is"?

"A song called" is a direct way to introduce a song's title, while "the name of the song is" is more formal and emphasizes the act of naming. The first is generally preferred for its conciseness.