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AdeterminerUS /ə/
used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading THE ELEMENTS OF A SUCCESSFUL LYRIC One question about song-writing is often asked but will never be settled: Which is more important, the music or the words?
aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/
on the subject of; concerning
From this reading THE ELEMENTS OF A SUCCESSFUL LYRIC One question about song-writing is often asked but will never be settled: Which is more important, the music or the words?
all
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From this reading Among the publishers with whom I have discussed this question is Louis Bernstein, of Shapiro, Bernstein & Co. He summed up what all the other publishers and song-writers I have known have said:
AmongprepositionUS /əˈmʌŋ/
surrounded by; in the middle of a group
From this reading Among the publishers with whom I have discussed this question is Louis Bernstein, of Shapiro, Bernstein & Co. He summed up what all the other publishers and song-writers I have known have said:
andeterminerUS /æn/
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading And yet Mr. Bernstein gives an authoritative reply to the question with which this chapter opens.
andconjunctionUS /ənd/
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Among the publishers with whom I have discussed this question is Louis Bernstein, of Shapiro, Bernstein & Co. He summed up what all the other publishers and song-writers I have known have said:
anothernounUS /ˈanother/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading This is but another way of stating the fact noted in the preceding chapter, that the words and music of a popular song-hit are indivisible.
areauxiliary verbUS /ɑːr/
the form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun
From this reading This is but another way of stating the fact noted in the preceding chapter, that the words and music of a popular song-hit are indivisible.
askednounUS /asked/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading THE ELEMENTS OF A SUCCESSFUL LYRIC One question about song-writing is often asked but will never be settled: Which is more important, the music or the words?
authoritative
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From this reading And yet Mr. Bernstein gives an authoritative reply to the question with which this chapter opens.
beauxiliary verbUS /biː/
used with a past participle to form the passive, or with -ing for continuous tenses
From this reading THE ELEMENTS OF A SUCCESSFUL LYRIC One question about song-writing is often asked but will never be settled: Which is more important, the music or the words?
become
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From this reading "A great melody may carry a poor lyric to success, and a great lyric may carry a poor melody; but for a song to become widely popular you must have both a great melody and a great lyric."
Bernstein
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From this reading Among the publishers with whom I have discussed this question is Louis Bernstein, of Shapiro, Bernstein & Co. He summed up what all the other publishers and song-writers I have known have said:
bothdeterminerUS /boʊθ/
the two together, not just one
From this reading "A great melody may carry a poor lyric to success, and a great lyric may carry a poor melody; but for a song to become widely popular you must have both a great melody and a great lyric."
butconjunctionUS /bʌt/
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading THE ELEMENTS OF A SUCCESSFUL LYRIC One question about song-writing is often asked but will never be settled: Which is more important, the music or the words?
carry
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From this reading "A great melody may carry a poor lyric to success, and a great lyric may carry a poor melody; but for a song to become widely popular you must have both a great melody and a great lyric."
chapter
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From this reading This is but another way of stating the fact noted in the preceding chapter, that the words and music of a popular song-hit are indivisible.
Co
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From this reading Among the publishers with whom I have discussed this question is Louis Bernstein, of Shapiro, Bernstein & Co. He summed up what all the other publishers and song-writers I have known have said:
discussed
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From this reading Among the publishers with whom I have discussed this question is Louis Bernstein, of Shapiro, Bernstein & Co. He summed up what all the other publishers and song-writers I have known have said:
ELEMENTS
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From this reading THE ELEMENTS OF A SUCCESSFUL LYRIC One question about song-writing is often asked but will never be settled: Which is more important, the music or the words?
fact
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From this reading This is but another way of stating the fact noted in the preceding chapter, that the words and music of a popular song-hit are indivisible.
forprepositionUS /fɔːr/
intended to be given to, or used by, somebody
From this reading "A great melody may carry a poor lyric to success, and a great lyric may carry a poor melody; but for a song to become widely popular you must have both a great melody and a great lyric."
gives
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From this reading And yet Mr. Bernstein gives an authoritative reply to the question with which this chapter opens.
greatnounUS /great/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "A great melody may carry a poor lyric to success, and a great lyric may carry a poor melody; but for a song to become widely popular you must have both a great melody and a great lyric."
haveauxiliary verbUS /hæv/
used with a past participle to form the perfect tenses
From this reading Among the publishers with whom I have discussed this question is Louis Bernstein, of Shapiro, Bernstein & Co. He summed up what all the other publishers and song-writers I have known have said:
HepronounUS /hiː/
a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading Among the publishers with whom I have discussed this question is Louis Bernstein, of Shapiro, Bernstein & Co. He summed up what all the other publishers and song-writers I have known have said:
IpronounUS /aɪ/
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Among the publishers with whom I have discussed this question is Louis Bernstein, of Shapiro, Bernstein & Co. He summed up what all the other publishers and song-writers I have known have said:
important
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From this reading THE ELEMENTS OF A SUCCESSFUL LYRIC One question about song-writing is often asked but will never be settled: Which is more important, the music or the words?
inprepositionUS /ɪn/
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading This is but another way of stating the fact noted in the preceding chapter, that the words and music of a popular song-hit are indivisible.
indivisible
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From this reading This is but another way of stating the fact noted in the preceding chapter, that the words and music of a popular song-hit are indivisible.
isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/
the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading THE ELEMENTS OF A SUCCESSFUL LYRIC One question about song-writing is often asked but will never be settled: Which is more important, the music or the words?
known
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From this reading Among the publishers with whom I have discussed this question is Louis Bernstein, of Shapiro, Bernstein & Co. He summed up what all the other publishers and song-writers I have known have said:
Louis
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From this reading Among the publishers with whom I have discussed this question is Louis Bernstein, of Shapiro, Bernstein & Co. He summed up what all the other publishers and song-writers I have known have said:
LYRIC
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From this reading THE ELEMENTS OF A SUCCESSFUL LYRIC One question about song-writing is often asked but will never be settled: Which is more important, the music or the words?
maymodal verbUS /meɪ/
used to say something is possible, or to give permission
From this reading "A great melody may carry a poor lyric to success, and a great lyric may carry a poor melody; but for a song to become widely popular you must have both a great melody and a great lyric."
melody
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From this reading "A great melody may carry a poor lyric to success, and a great lyric may carry a poor melody; but for a song to become widely popular you must have both a great melody and a great lyric."
more
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From this reading THE ELEMENTS OF A SUCCESSFUL LYRIC One question about song-writing is often asked but will never be settled: Which is more important, the music or the words?
Mr
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From this reading And yet Mr. Bernstein gives an authoritative reply to the question with which this chapter opens.
music
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From this reading THE ELEMENTS OF A SUCCESSFUL LYRIC One question about song-writing is often asked but will never be settled: Which is more important, the music or the words?
mustmodal verbUS /mʌst/
used to say something is necessary, or almost certainly true
From this reading "A great melody may carry a poor lyric to success, and a great lyric may carry a poor melody; but for a song to become widely popular you must have both a great melody and a great lyric."
nevernounUS /never/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading THE ELEMENTS OF A SUCCESSFUL LYRIC One question about song-writing is often asked but will never be settled: Which is more important, the music or the words?
noted
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From this reading This is but another way of stating the fact noted in the preceding chapter, that the words and music of a popular song-hit are indivisible.
OFprepositionUS /ʌv/
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading THE ELEMENTS OF A SUCCESSFUL LYRIC One question about song-writing is often asked but will never be settled: Which is more important, the music or the words?
often
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From this reading THE ELEMENTS OF A SUCCESSFUL LYRIC One question about song-writing is often asked but will never be settled: Which is more important, the music or the words?
OnepronounUS /wʌn/
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading THE ELEMENTS OF A SUCCESSFUL LYRIC One question about song-writing is often asked but will never be settled: Which is more important, the music or the words?
opens
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From this reading And yet Mr. Bernstein gives an authoritative reply to the question with which this chapter opens.
orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/
used to join alternatives or possibilities
From this reading THE ELEMENTS OF A SUCCESSFUL LYRIC One question about song-writing is often asked but will never be settled: Which is more important, the music or the words?
other
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From this reading Among the publishers with whom I have discussed this question is Louis Bernstein, of Shapiro, Bernstein & Co. He summed up what all the other publishers and song-writers I have known have said:
poornounUS /poor/
an important story-specific word used in this passage
From this reading "A great melody may carry a poor lyric to success, and a great lyric may carry a poor melody; but for a song to become widely popular you must have both a great melody and a great lyric."
popular
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From this reading "A great melody may carry a poor lyric to success, and a great lyric may carry a poor melody; but for a song to become widely popular you must have both a great melody and a great lyric."
preceding
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From this reading This is but another way of stating the fact noted in the preceding chapter, that the words and music of a popular song-hit are indivisible.
publishers
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From this reading Among the publishers with whom I have discussed this question is Louis Bernstein, of Shapiro, Bernstein & Co. He summed up what all the other publishers and song-writers I have known have said:
questionnounUS /ˈquestion/
a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage
From this reading THE ELEMENTS OF A SUCCESSFUL LYRIC One question about song-writing is often asked but will never be settled: Which is more important, the music or the words?
reply
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From this reading And yet Mr. Bernstein gives an authoritative reply to the question with which this chapter opens.
said
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From this reading Among the publishers with whom I have discussed this question is Louis Bernstein, of Shapiro, Bernstein & Co. He summed up what all the other publishers and song-writers I have known have said:
settled
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From this reading THE ELEMENTS OF A SUCCESSFUL LYRIC One question about song-writing is often asked but will never be settled: Which is more important, the music or the words?
Shapiro
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From this reading Among the publishers with whom I have discussed this question is Louis Bernstein, of Shapiro, Bernstein & Co. He summed up what all the other publishers and song-writers I have known have said:
song
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From this reading "A great melody may carry a poor lyric to success, and a great lyric may carry a poor melody; but for a song to become widely popular you must have both a great melody and a great lyric."
song-hit
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From this reading This is but another way of stating the fact noted in the preceding chapter, that the words and music of a popular song-hit are indivisible.
song-writers
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From this reading Among the publishers with whom I have discussed this question is Louis Bernstein, of Shapiro, Bernstein & Co. He summed up what all the other publishers and song-writers I have known have said:
song-writing
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From this reading THE ELEMENTS OF A SUCCESSFUL LYRIC One question about song-writing is often asked but will never be settled: Which is more important, the music or the words?
stating
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From this reading This is but another way of stating the fact noted in the preceding chapter, that the words and music of a popular song-hit are indivisible.
success
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From this reading "A great melody may carry a poor lyric to success, and a great lyric may carry a poor melody; but for a song to become widely popular you must have both a great melody and a great lyric."
SUCCESSFUL
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From this reading THE ELEMENTS OF A SUCCESSFUL LYRIC One question about song-writing is often asked but will never be settled: Which is more important, the music or the words?
summed
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From this reading Among the publishers with whom I have discussed this question is Louis Bernstein, of Shapiro, Bernstein & Co. He summed up what all the other publishers and song-writers I have known have said:
thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading This is but another way of stating the fact noted in the preceding chapter, that the words and music of a popular song-hit are indivisible.
THEdeterminerUS /ðə/
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading THE ELEMENTS OF A SUCCESSFUL LYRIC One question about song-writing is often asked but will never be settled: Which is more important, the music or the words?
thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading Among the publishers with whom I have discussed this question is Louis Bernstein, of Shapiro, Bernstein & Co. He summed up what all the other publishers and song-writers I have known have said:
toparticleUS /tuː/
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading "A great melody may carry a poor lyric to success, and a great lyric may carry a poor melody; but for a song to become widely popular you must have both a great melody and a great lyric."
up
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading Among the publishers with whom I have discussed this question is Louis Bernstein, of Shapiro, Bernstein & Co. He summed up what all the other publishers and song-writers I have known have said:
way
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading This is but another way of stating the fact noted in the preceding chapter, that the words and music of a popular song-hit are indivisible.
whatpronounUS /wʌt/
used to ask for information about something
From this reading Among the publishers with whom I have discussed this question is Louis Bernstein, of Shapiro, Bernstein & Co. He summed up what all the other publishers and song-writers I have known have said:
WhichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading THE ELEMENTS OF A SUCCESSFUL LYRIC One question about song-writing is often asked but will never be settled: Which is more important, the music or the words?
whompronounUS /huːm/
the form of “who” used as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading Among the publishers with whom I have discussed this question is Louis Bernstein, of Shapiro, Bernstein & Co. He summed up what all the other publishers and song-writers I have known have said:
widely
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
From this reading "A great melody may carry a poor lyric to success, and a great lyric may carry a poor melody; but for a song to become widely popular you must have both a great melody and a great lyric."
willmodal verbUS /wɪl/
used to talk about the future, or about willingness
From this reading THE ELEMENTS OF A SUCCESSFUL LYRIC One question about song-writing is often asked but will never be settled: Which is more important, the music or the words?
withprepositionUS /wɪð/
in the company of; together with
From this reading Among the publishers with whom I have discussed this question is Louis Bernstein, of Shapiro, Bernstein & Co. He summed up what all the other publishers and song-writers I have known have said:
words
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From this reading THE ELEMENTS OF A SUCCESSFUL LYRIC One question about song-writing is often asked but will never be settled: Which is more important, the music or the words?
yetconjunctionUS /jet/
but in spite of that
From this reading And yet Mr. Bernstein gives an authoritative reply to the question with which this chapter opens.
youpronounUS /juː/
the person or people being spoken to
From this reading "A great melody may carry a poor lyric to success, and a great lyric may carry a poor melody; but for a song to become widely popular you must have both a great melody and a great lyric."
