232{24 - Lyrics vs Poems: main stereotypical textual genre differences, by @vanres#2023

P­OEM

• Written or spoken 
• an imaginative or 
• an elevated thought
• Not set to music
•  Meaning: 
• can be ambiguous 
• demands reading skills
• and deep analyses 
• Appreciation: 
• analysis of the use of
•  lexical items, 
• rhyming scheme, 
• wordplay 
• the use of figurative speech

LYRIC'S SONG - 

• Written mainly to
• communicate 
• a melody 
• along with the thought
• Set to music

• Meanings 
• quite direct; 
• generally unambiguous; 
• does not demand deep analysis

• Appreciation: 
• music,
• vocal tone
• [Industrial mass culture product]

 

Sources: 

Similarities Between Song and Poem

• Songs and poems are two forms of art and modes of expression which sometimes overlap.
• Both songs and poems often bring out human emotions related to some kind of a situation or an instance.
• Songs and poetry can have a rhyming scheme, which renders a melody to the verses or stanzas in recitals. 

Difference Between Song and Poem

Definition

A poem is a written or spoken piece of work specially created to communicate an imaginative or an elevated thought, while a song is written mainly to communicate a beautiful melody along with the thought.  

Music

Songs are set to music whereas poems are not.

Message

The meaning and the message of a poem and a song vary quite often. The meaning and message found in many modern songs are quite direct and unambiguous. In simpler terms, the listener does not happen to perceive much and analyze deeper in order to grab what the song tries to communicate. However, when it comes to poetry,  we often come across lots of figurative forms of speech used in order to communicate a particular message. In other words, a poem can be often ambiguous. It means a poem can have connotations and would not always express directly what it needs to convey. Therefore, the reader or the listener would need some skills in reading between the lines and analyzing in order to comprehend the exact message the poet expects to bring out.

Literary Appreciation

When it comes to poetry, we have to do the literary appreciation carefully with a proper analysis of the use of lexical items, which includes the rhyming scheme, the wordplay and the use of figurative speech. However, most frequently, we analyze songs and appreciate them in terms of the music and the vocal tone and colour which accompany the lyrics. Even if a song has simple lyrics, the music composition and the vocals can convert it into a masterpiece on stage.

Conclusion

Both songs and poetry are two arts of expression we all love. Both are two modes of expression that came into existence centuries back. The main difference between song and poem is that a poem does not involve music, whereas a song always involves music. 

adapted from: https://pediaa.com/what-is-the-difference-between-song-and-poem/ last acess: mar, 01, 2024

What’s the REAL Difference Between a Poem and a Lyric?

What makes lyric writing unique?

• Write memorable titles, refrains and choruses

• Train themselves to hear the music hidden in language

• Take a basic idea and rephrase it in fresh, creative ways

• Weave words into patterns of rhyme

• Arrange sections of a text into a logical, seamless whole

Many books written by commercial songwriters are quick to claim that song lyrics and poetry are different crafts. Why are they so eager to turn us away from the tradition of poetry, which can teach songwriters so much? I suspect it’s because the music industry’s job is to sell music, and compared to music sales, literary poetry just doesn’t rake in the big bucks.

The truth is that there’s only one difference between poetry and song lyrics: Lyrics are set to music. A lyric that works beautifully in a song might sound downright silly when read without music. Whether you want your lyrics to read well on the page is a personal decision.

Aside from that single difference, poets and lyricists share much in common. Both train themselves to:

Songwriting is a complex puzzle made up of all these problems and more.

Writing poetry is a way to exercise all of these skills which are so valuable to lyricists – the skills you can’t learn from your guitar, piano, or singing instructors.

Instead of dismissing poetry as too many commercial songwriting authors have, let’s choose to benefit from the centuries of insight that it offers us. Everything you learn about poetry can help you write better lyrics. Why not buy a book of poetry, or study a textbook on poetry a little every day?

I for one need all the help I can get.

https://lyricworkroom.com/poem-vs-lyric/