songwriter
techniquesSONG-ry-ter
A person who composes the music and/or lyrics of songs.
A songwriter creates songs — the combined package of melody, harmony, rhythm, and lyrics that forms the basis of popular music. Some songwriters perform their own material (singer-songwriters like Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, and Ed Sheeran), while others write for other artists (like Max Martin, who has penned dozens of number-one hits for various pop acts). Professional songwriting is both a craft and an art, governed by conventions of song form (verse, chorus, bridge), hook creation, and emotional storytelling. Nashville, New York's Tin Pan Alley, and London's Denmark Street have all served as historic centres of professional songwriting. Songwriters may work alone, in pairs, or in writing camps where multiple writers and producers collaborate. Copyright law protects the songwriter's work, and royalties from performance, recording, and streaming provide income.
Max Martin, a Swedish songwriter and producer, has written or co-written more number-one Billboard Hot 100 hits than anyone except Paul McCartney and John Lennon.