Lyricist

Songwriter who writes lyrics A lyricist is a writer who writes lyrics (the spoken words), as opposed to a composer, who writes the song's music (which may include the melody, harmony, arrangement, and accompaniment). Royalties A lyricist's income derives from royalties received from original songs. Royalties may range from 50% of the proceeds from the song, if it was written primarily with the composer, or less if they wrote the song in collaboration. Songs are automatically copyrighted as soon as they are in tangible forms, such as a recording or sheet music. However, before a song is published or made public, its author or publisher should register it with the Copyright Office at the United States Library of Congress to better protect against copyright infringement. Collaborations Songwriting collaborations can take different forms. Some composers and lyricists work closely together on a song, with each having an input into both words and tune. Usually a lyricist fills in the words to a tune already fully written out. Dorothy Fields worked in this way. Lyricists have often added words to an established tune, as Johnny Burke did with the Erroll Garner jazz standard "Misty". Some p