Identify Songwriter and Performer Roles — Identify Songwriter and Performer Roles

The author of a musical composition is the person who created the music, lyrics, or both, such as a songwriter or lyricist. In contrast, the author of a sound recording is the performer who performed the work, the producer who captured and edited the sounds, or both.

Because these roles are distinct, the registered lyrics of a composition may differ from what is captured in a specific recorded performance. Checking the registered authorship helps researchers understand who created the official lyrics.