Database Guidelines 3. Title

Title

3.1.1. Use this field to enter the main title of the release.

3.1.2. Enter the title as close to the way it appears on the release as possible, following the general Discogs guidelines for capitalization.

3.1.3. Sometimes the title is written in a different way on the cover than on the spine or other places. It is best to use the title on the cover, but also consider what is going to be most useful to other users, so the most complete title is better no matter where it appears. In rare cases, it may be necessary to make up a compound title from the various versions of the title on the cover, spine, label, etc. Use the Release Notes field to mention any important differences.

3.1.4. Subtitles should be entered into the title field. If the release doesn't have its own separators, please use parentheses. Example: Title (Subtitle). If there is doubt as to whether text on the release is a subtitle or not, try referring to other releases or the artist or label websites.

3.1.5. Do not use quotation marks around the whole release title. Scare quotes can be used, but are a rare occurrence (for example, David Bowie - "Heroes"). Titles that use quotes to denote and separate the title of a film, play, TV show, and other such names from the rest of the title (for example, Mancini Plays The Theme From "Love Story"), are acceptable.

3.1.6. Do not transcribe words that serve as an introduction and are not intended to be part of the title:

Ziltoid The Omniscient (Title appears on release as: Devin Townsend Presents - Ziltoid The Omniscient)

If the form in which the title appears on the release is considered to be important for identification, please list it in the Release Notes.

No Obvious Title

3.2.1. If the release is an album with no obvious title, and there is no explicit evidence of it being untitled or given a title externally, use the artist's name as the title (in other words, assume it is eponymous or self-titled).

3.2.2.a. If the release is a single or EP, without a picture sleeve: Use the main track title as the title for the release. If no main track title can be discerned by the physical release (A side, plug side, side 1, etc.) use both titles separated by an " / ". If there is external evidence of a main track title, use that title with an explanation in the Release Notes as to its source.

3.2.2.b. If the release is a 78, and there are track titles on each side of the record, use both track titles as the title for the release, separated by a slash. Do not use a single track title as the release title unless there is proof the record was referred to by a single title on its release by the record label / artist.

3.2.3. If there is good evidence of an external title being given to the release, use that title with an explanation in the Release Notes as to its source.

3.2.4. If there is no track information, or other source of a title, or if other sources point to the release being untitled, use Untitled.

Release Titles For Double A Sided Or Split Releases

3.3.1. For double A-sided releases, or releases that are split between two artists, and that do not have a given title, use both track titles separated by a slash. A double A-sided single is one on which the titles of all tracks are featured on the packaging with equal prominence, or a single that was otherwise marketed as having more than one featured track, such as a reissue single containing a pair of previous hits. The labels on such releases often designate their sides as 'A' and 'AA', rather than 'A' and 'B', or have no side designations at all. When a B-side title appears on the front of a singles packaging in diminished type, especially when preceded by b/w (which means 'backed with'), it generally indicates the release is not double A-sided.

3.3.2. Pre 1965 releases are unlikely to be double A side releases - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A-side_and_B-side#Double_A-side

Interpreting Track Titles As Release Titles When Listed On The Cover

3.4.1. Two titles listed on the front with equal prominence should be listed as the release title.

3.4.2. Two titles listed on the front but with one more prominent than the other: normally, only the more prominent title should be entered as the release title, but external sources can be taken into account.

3.4.3. Two titles listed on the front but with 2nd title preceded by b/w (backed with) or c/w (coupled with): Both track titles and the join can normally be entered, but again, external sources can be taken into account.

3.4.4. One title listed on the front, one listed on the back along with credits for both sides: The B side track title should not be entered in the release title.

3.4.5. There is no limit to the number of artists that can be listed as 'Main Artist', but the release itself has to show the intention that the artists are to be taken as the main artists on the release (or to list the artists in a way that doesn't allow us to differentiate).

3.4.6. Singles without sleeves should only list the A side as the title, unless it is a double A sided release. However, if they have two separate artists, one each side, please list both track titles in the main title as on this release.

Releases Of Combined Titles

3.5.1. Please see Back to Back as a good example of how to enter two artists on one release.

                                                                                                                                               

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