Lyrics are the textual component of a song, carrying narrative, emotion, and meaning through language. Great lyrics work in concert with melody, harmony, and rhythm to create a unified artistic expression. Lyrical traditions range from the refined poetry of art song and lied to the storytelling of folk music, the emotional directness of blues, and the wordplay of hip-hop and rap. In opera, the lyrics are called the libretto. Verse-chorus form organises lyrics into repeating sections, with the chorus delivering the song's central message or hook. Lyricists may write words before, after, or simultaneously with the music. Some genres prioritise lyrical depth — country music values storytelling, while electronic and ambient music may use minimal or no lyrics at all.
Bob Dylan won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2016, the first songwriter recognised for lyrics as a literary art form.