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?
alladjectiveUS /ɔːl/
(quantifier) used with either mass or count nouns to indicate the whole number or amount of or every one of a class
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:
anotherdeterminerUS /əˈnʌðər/
one more of the same kind, or a different one
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.
askedverbUS /æskt/
past form of “ask” — make a request or demand for something to somebody
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?
authoritativeadjectiveUS /əˈθɔːrəteɪtɪv/
having authority or ascendancy or influence
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?
becomeverbUS /bɪˈkʌm/
enter or assume a certain state or condition
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."
BernsteinnounUS /ˈbɜːrnstaɪn/
United States conductor and composer (1918-1990)
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?
carryverbUS /ˈkæri/
move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body
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."
chapternounUS /ˈtʃæptər/
a subdivision of a written work; usually numbered and titled
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.
ConounUS /koʊ/
an odorless very poisonous gas that is a product of incomplete combustion of carbon
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:
discussedverbUS /dɪˈskʌst/
past form of “discuss” — to consider or examine in speech or writing
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:
ELEMENTSnounUS /ˈeləmənts/
violent or severe weather (viewed as caused by the action of the four elements)
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?
factnounUS /fækt/
a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
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."
givesnounUS /ɡɪvz/
plural of “give” — the elasticity of something that can be stretched and returns to its original length
From this reading And yet Mr. Bernstein gives an authoritative reply to the question with which this chapter opens.
greatadjectiveUS /ɡreɪt/
relatively large in size or number or extent; larger than others of its kind
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:
importantadjectiveUS /ˌɪmˈpɔːrtənt/
of great significance or value
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.
indivisibleadjectiveUS /ˌɪndɪˈvɪsɪbəl/
impossible of undergoing division
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?
knownadjectiveUS /noʊn/
apprehended with certainty
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:
LouisnounUS /ˈluːɪs/
United States prizefighter who was world heavyweight champion for 12 years (1914-1981)
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:
LYRICadjectiveUS /ˈlɪrɪk/
expressing deep emotion
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."
melodynounUS /ˈmelədi/
a succession of notes forming a distinctive sequence
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."
moreadjectiveUS /mɔːr/
(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree
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?
MrnounUS /ˈmɪstər/
a form of address for a man
From this reading And yet Mr. Bernstein gives an authoritative reply to the question with which this chapter opens.
musicnounUS /ˈmjuːzɪk/
an artistic form of auditory communication incorporating instrumental or vocal tones in a structured and continuous manner
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."
neveradverbUS /ˈnevər/
not ever; at no time in the past or future
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?
notedadjectiveUS /ˈnoʊtəd/
widely known and esteemed
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?
oftenadverbUS /ˈɔːfən/
many times at short intervals
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?
opensnounUS /ˈoʊpənz/
plural of “open” — a clear or unobstructed space or expanse of land or water
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?
otheradjectiveUS /ˈʌðər/
not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
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:
pooradjectiveUS /puːr/
deserving or inciting pity
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."
popularadjectiveUS /ˈpɑːpjələr/
regarded with great favor, approval, or affection especially by the general public
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."
precedingadjectiveUS /priˈsiːdɪŋ/
existing or coming before
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.
publishersnounUS /ˈpʌblɪʃərz/
plural of “publisher” — a firm in the publishing business
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:
questionverbUS /ˈkwestʃən/
challenge the accuracy, probity, or propriety of
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?
replynounUS /rɪˈplaɪ/
a statement (either spoken or written) that is made to reply to a question or request or criticism or accusation
From this reading And yet Mr. Bernstein gives an authoritative reply to the question with which this chapter opens.
saidadjectiveUS /sed/
being the one previously mentioned or spoken of
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:
settledadjectiveUS /ˈsetəld/
established or decided beyond dispute or doubt
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
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:
songnounUS /sɔːŋ/
a short musical composition with words
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
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.
song-writers
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:
song-writing
Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.
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?
statingverbUS /ˈsteɪtɪŋ/
-ing form of “state” — express in words
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.
successnounUS /səkˈses/
an event that accomplishes its intended purpose
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."
SUCCESSFULadjectiveUS /səkˈsesfəl/
having succeeded or being marked by a favorable outcome
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?
summedverbUS /sʌmd/
inflected form of “sum” — be a summary of
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."
upadjectiveUS /ʌp/
being or moving higher in position or greater in some value; being above a former position or level
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:
waynounUS /weɪ/
how something is done or how it happens
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:
widelyadverbUS /ˈwaɪdli/
to a great degree
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:
wordsnounUS /wɜːrdz/
the words that are spoken
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."
