what is the difference between song lyrics and poetry?

Question

besides the fact that one is put to music. i think that's pretty obvious.

Answer 1

Poetry - good poetry - uses words economically to paint little pictures in the mind. The meter, rhyme, timbre, etc support the word pictures. (Read EA Poe's "The Bells") In the end the words must stand alone and set the tone, carry the message and elicit the feeling/s the poet desires to portray.

Lyrics support the music (or vice versa) in carrying the message to the customer. In listening to Carlos Santana playing the mood and message come through the music. Having the lyrics in Spanish adds to the mood.

Poetry read in a foreign language would not portray the picture the poet wanted, while music from a foreign land will. So, in music the lyrics support the music while in poetry the words must stand alone.

Answer 2

Essentially, there really is no definable difference between the lyrics of a song and a poem except to say that song lyrics are intended to be accompanied by music. Many lyricists/songwriters are poet/musicians, i.e. Chris DeBerg, Bob Dylan, Paul Simon and Cole Porter, just to mention a few. Moreover, some poems that were written as poems were later set to music such as "Trees" by Joyce Kilmer.

Answer 3

Then why ask?
Poetry is primarily the craft of words with rhythm being fhe accents.
Song Lyrics are primarily that craft of sounds, including rhythm, repetition, and tonal melody and quality.
Although Lyrics can be read as poetry and poetry set to music, as it has been hundreds of times, the focus is different.

Answer 4

No difference. Lyrics ARE a form of poetry.

Isn't it funny to think that one of the most popular devices - the ipod - is designed to store poetry?

Answer 5

Nuttin'. Just ask Dr. Suess and 50 cent. Also, have you noticed that they have never been in a picture together? Hmmm...could Dr. Suess and 50 cent be the same person!!!???