A song is a piece of music with vocals. It usually consists of an intro, verses, pre-chorus, chorus, and bridge. The music, lyrics, and recording of a song are all protected by copyright.
The word “song” can also be used to describe any musical composition with vocals. A song may be performed live and recorded on audio or video, or it may appear in plays, musical theatre, stage shows of any form, and within operas, films, and TV shows.
Music is ancient and has always been a part of human culture. Some people might say that music was made before words, but it is more likely that the words came first.
Throughout history, ideas about song and actual songs have informed literary works in ways that go back to classical and biblical antiquity. Set apart from non-musical language, songs can indicate proximity to the divine, intense emotion, or distance from the everyday.
In the 19th century, composers learned from Franz Schubert that simple strophic songs with accompaniment can be dramatically realized and musically complex. This strophic form, called Lieder in German, was later refined by European Romantic composers like Robert Schumann and Johannes Brahms.
Popular songs are characterized by technical difficulty, complexity of the musical structure, and resistance to change. The lyrical content of popular songs is often influenced by national or regional identity.
The lyric content of a song should be developed and structured so that it can be understood by the listener. It should tell a story and advance the narrative of the song. A good hook can help songwriters do this.