What is "songwriter"

n. (context music English) Someone who writes the lyrics and usually the music of songs.

n. a composer of words or music for popular songs [syn: songster, ballad maker]

A songwriter is an individual who writes the lyrics, melodies and chord progressions for songs, typically for a popular music genre such as country music. A songwriter can also be called a composer, although the latter term tends to be mainly used for individuals from the classical music genre. The pressure from the music industry to produce popular hits means that songwriting is often an activity for which the task are distributed between a number of people. For example, a songwriter who excels at writing lyrics might be paired with a songwriter with a gift for creating original melodies. Pop songs may be written by group members from the band or by staff writers – songwriters directly employed by music publishers. Some songwriters serve as their own music publishers, while others have outside publishers. In the 2010s, songwriters are no longer dependent on labels to support their music. Technology has advanced to the point where songwriters can record at home with a laptop and a good-quality USB microphone.

The old-style apprenticeship approach to learning how to write songs is being supplemented by university degrees and college diplomas and "rock schools". A knowledge of modern music technology (sequencers, synthesizers, computer sound editing), songwriting elements, and business skills are necessary requirements to make a songwriting career in the 2010s. Several music colleges offer songwriting diplomas and degrees with music business modules. Since songwriting and publishing royalties can be a substantial source of income, particularly if a song becomes a hit record, legally, in the US, songs written after 1934 may only be copied by the authors. The legal power to grant these permissions may be bought, sold or transferred. This is governed by international copyright law.

Professional songwriters can either be employed to write either the lyrics or the music directly for or alongside a performing artist, or they present songs to A&R, publishers, agents and managers for consideration. Song pitching can be done on a songwriter's behalf by their publisher or independently using tip sheets like RowFax, the MusicRow publication, and SongQuarters. Skills associated with song-writing include entrepreneurism and creativity.

Songwriter is an album by Justin Hayward released in February 1977. Hayward wrote all of the songs and played all of the instruments on the songs "Raised On Love" and "Nostradamus." The album also features musicians Hayward had worked with on his previous project, Blue Jays recorded with John Lodge. These included Jim Cockey on violin, Tom Tompkins on viola, and Tim Tompkins on cello, all members of the band Providence, and Mel Galley on bass, Terry Rowley on guitars, and Dave Holland on drums, all members of the band Trapeze. Ken Freeman played the keyboards. According to the LP liner notes, Hayward's daughter Doremi (born December 1972) sang on "Raised on Love."

It was later rereleased on CD in 1987 with two bonus tracks, "Marie" (originally released as a single in 1979) and "Learning the Game" (a previously unreleased track, written by Buddy Holly).

It was released again on Decca in April 2004 with the additional bonus tracks "Wrong Time, Right Place" and "Heart of Steel" (the B-side of the "Marie" single).

Songwriter is the second studio album of the Filipino trio Apo Hiking Society released in 1976 under JEM Records.

Songwriter is a 1984 film, directed by Alan Rudolph.

A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song.

Songwriter may also refer to:

• Songwriter (Justin Hayward album)
• Songwriter (Apo Hiking Society album)
• Songwriter (film), a 1984 film directed by Alan Rudolph