lyricists

A lyricist is a writer who crafts the words of songs. The primary task is to fit lyrics to a melody and support the music’s emotional arc. In popular music, film, and theatre, lyricists collaborate with composers who write the music; the two teams work to align rhyme, rhythm, and phrasing with singers’ voices. Some lyricists also compose or perform, while others focus solely on lyrics. The term commonly covers lyric writing for musical theatre, pop, rock, or folk, while “songwriter” can refer to someone who writes both words and music.

Historically, 20th-century Broadway and American pop produced influential lyricists. Notable figures include Oscar Hammerstein II, Lorenz Hart, Ira Gershwin, Dorothy Fields, Frank Loesser, and Stephen Sondheim. In modern popular music, Bernie Taupin writes Elton John’s lyrics; Tim Rice is known for lyrics in theatre and film; Paul Simon and Bob Dylan are prominent lyricists who also perform.

Lyric writing emphasizes diction, rhyme, meter, imagery, and concise storytelling. Lyricists tailor language to a singer’s range and to the tempo and mood of the music, often revising lines during rehearsal. They may adapt existing texts into song lyrics or craft character voices for musical theatre.

Recognition comes through awards such as the Academy Award for Best Original Song and the Tony Award for Best Original Score, typically shared with the composer. Many lyricists come from writing, literature, theatre, or music programs; careers often begin in publishing, journalism, or performance before specializing in lyrics.