songwriter

American  

[sawng-rahy-ter, song-] / ˈsɔŋˌraɪ tər, ˈsɒŋ- /

noun

1. a person who writes the words or music, or both, for popular songs.

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songwriter British  

/ ˈsɒŋˌraɪtə /

noun

1. a person who composes the words or music for songs in a popular idiom

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Etymology

Origin of songwriter

First recorded in 1815–25; song + writer

Explanation

A musician who composes tunes and writes lyrics is a songwriter. Many famous musical performers, from Elvis Presley to Rihanna, have relied on songwriters to write their biggest hits. While composers write music and lyricists focus on just the words, songwriters do both. If you have a decent singing voice, play the guitar, and love coming up with your own lyrics and melodies, you should think about being a singer-songwriter. Or team up with another musician and write songs together, the way John Lennon and Paul McCartney did, sharing credit as songwriters for many of the Beatles' most famous songs.

Example Sentences

The Celtic folk singer, songwriter and harpist from the Irish-speaking Donegal Gaeltacht area of Gaoth Dobhair recorded about 25 albums and sold millions of records worldwide.

From BBC • Apr. 14, 2026

"As a songwriter, it's kind of like, is anyone going to even think I really wrote this?"

From Barron's • Apr. 7, 2026

Grammy-winner Pharrell Williams, who has worked with Jay Z, Mariah Carey, Kendrick Lamar and Madonna, received the global songwriter award.

From BBC • Mar. 26, 2026

Chip Taylor, the songwriter behind the Troggs’ rock hit “Wild Thing” and actor Angelina Jolie’s uncle, has died.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 25, 2026

I’m thinking it can’t hurt to share them, even if there’s no chance I’ll ever get to be a songwriter.

From "Bronx Masquerade" by Nikki Grimes

Related Words

• composer
• musician
• poet