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 most musically adventurous member of the group — he plays sitar on “Paint It Black” and dulcimer on “Lady Jane” — Jones wasn’t a songwriter.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 20, 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

Drummer Romeo Challenger described Oakes as a "brilliant songwriter" and said he "will be in my heart forever".

From BBC • Mar. 30, 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