I am a novice author. It has mostly. Been a hobby but I would like to try to get some of my work published.

Question

I like to use titles of songs as chapter titles when a song would be a good theme for the chapter. I want to know if that would violate copyright law. If not then can I tell people the titles are like a soundtrack or would that have to be something they have to figure out on their own. 
  If it is a violation, is there any way I can get around it or do I have to change all the titles if I ever want to publish it? 
Thank you very much.

Fritz-Howard Raymond Clapp · Answer

Titles of works (including songs) are not subject to copyright, so it is not infringing of the works to use the titles as chapter titles.  In fact, it has been done many times before.

James L. Arrasmith · Answer

Using song titles as chapter titles does not violate copyright law because titles are not protected under copyright. You can freely use them without needing permission. However, if you quote lyrics, that would require proper licensing or permission from the copyright holder.   
 
If you want to tell readers that the chapter titles form a soundtrack, that’s a bit trickier. Framing it as a "soundtrack" could imply an official connection to the artists or their work, which might create legal concerns. Instead, you can let readers naturally recognize the connection or phrase it in a way that makes it clear this is just your personal inspiration.   
 
If you're worried about legal issues, consider rewording titles slightly while keeping the reference clear. Another option is to acknowledge the influence in an author's note without directly saying it’s a soundtrack. Many writers use creative ways to nod to their inspirations while avoiding legal trouble.

Q: I am a novice author. It has mostly. Been a hobby but I would like to try to get some of my work published.