A song is a piece of music performed by one voice with or without instrumental accompaniment. It may be a solo performance, a duet or trio, or a large ensemble with more voices singing in harmony.
The song is a composition of words and melody that is often accompanied by other musical elements such as rhythm, tone, harmony, meter, and instrumentation. The music is intended to heighten the effect of words, and often to provide contrast or to illustrate a subject.
Music can also be used to produce emotional effects, which can help to shape the lyrics and create a mood. In poetry, the use of musical accompaniment can make plain words come alive and express emotion in ways that are difficult to achieve using speech alone.
In popular songs, the use of a songwriter’s creativity is also brought to bear on the relationship between a lyric and a melody. How a songwriter’s lyrics are arranged in relationship to a melody is what makes their music so distinctive and unique.
A song may be a single, unaccompanied song (known as an a cappella song), or it might be accompanied by other instruments such as piano, guitar, organ, or percussion. In jazz, a singer might be accompanied by a small combo or a big band.
A song may consist of just a few lines of words or it might involve multiple verses and a chorus, which usually serve as the climax of the song. The chorus should be a catchy, rousing moment that helps to drive the song home and set up the next section of the song.