Music vs. Song: What's the Difference?
Edited by Aimie Carlson || By Janet White || Updated on October 8, 2023
Music is the art of arranging sounds harmoniously or expressively, while a song is a composition for voice often with instrumental accompaniment.
Key Differences
Music is a broad term that encompasses the art and theory of organizing sound to produce beauty of form, harmony, and expression. It can be instrumental, vocal, or a combination of both. Music exists in various genres and styles, from classical symphonies to modern electronic beats. It is a universal language that transcends borders and connects hearts.
Song, on the other hand, refers specifically to a piece of music that's meant to be sung. While all songs are music, not all music can be classified as a song. Songs typically have lyrics and are structured with verses, choruses, and occasionally bridges. They tell stories, convey emotions, or communicate ideas.
It's important to note that while music can exist without words, songs inherently have a vocal element. Even instrumental versions of songs originate from pieces that initially had lyrics. For example, while an instrumental track can be a form of music, it's only called a "song" if it has or had lyrics in its original or another version.
Furthermore, while a song is essentially a subset of music, music as a whole represents a wider range of sound compositions. This includes symphonies, sonatas, and other pieces that might not have the vocal or lyrical component inherent to songs.
Comparison Chart
Definition
Art of organizing sound harmoniously or expressively
Composition meant to be sung
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Components
Can be instrumental, vocal, or both
Typically has lyrics and vocal melodies
Universality
Broad category with varied styles and genres
A subset of music
Examples
Symphonies, beats, tunes
Ballads, anthems, lullabies
Presence of Lyrics
Not necessary
Usually present
Music and Song Definitions
Music
Sounds organized in a way that is pleasant or meaningful.
The music of the orchestra uplifted the audience.
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Song
A poetic or musical work that tells a story.
The bard recited an ancient song of warriors.
Music
The art of producing such sounds, typically with instruments.
She's studying music at the university.
Song
A short musical composition for the human voice.
She sang a beautiful song at the talent show.
Music
Printed or written composition for performing harmoniously.
I'll need the sheet music for that piece.
Song
A distinctive or characteristic sound made by an animal.
The song of the nightingale is melodious.
Music
Audible, harmonious expression of emotions.
The music of the wind rustling through the trees is calming.
Song
An expression of something in musical form.
His life was a song of dedication and perseverance.
Music
A particular type or genre of such sound.
Jazz is a unique form of American music.
Song
A brief composition written or adapted for singing.
Music
The art of arranging sounds in time so as to produce a continuous, unified, and evocative composition, as through melody, harmony, rhythm, and timbre.
Song
The act or art of singing
Broke into song.
Music
Vocal or instrumental sounds possessing a degree of melody, harmony, or rhythm.
Song
A distinctive or characteristic sound made by an animal, such as a bird or an insect.
Music
A musical composition.
Song
Poetry; verse.
Music
The written or printed score for such a composition.
Song
A lyric poem or ballad.
Music
Such scores considered as a group
We keep our music in a stack near the piano.
Song
A musical composition with lyrics for voice or voices, performed by singing.
Thomas listened to his favorite song on the radio yesterday.
Music
A musical accompaniment.
Song
(by extension) Any musical composition.
Music
A particular category or kind of music.
Song
Poetical composition; poetry; verse.
Music
An aesthetically pleasing or harmonious sound or combination of sounds
The music of the wind in the pines.
Song
The act or art of singing.
Music
A series of sounds organized in time, usually employing some combination of melody, harmony, tempo, rhythm etc. usually to convey a mood.
I keep listening to this music because it's a masterpiece.
Song
A melodious sound made by a bird, insect, whale or other animal.
I love hearing the song of canary birds.
Music
(figuratively) Any pleasing or interesting sounds.
Song
(ornithology) The distinctive sound that a male bird utters to attract a mate or to protect his territory; contrasts with call; also, similar vocalisations made by female birds.
Music
An art form, created by organizing of pitch, rhythm, and sounds made using musical instruments and sometimes singing.
Song
A low price, especially one under the expected value; chiefly in for a song.
He bought that car for a song.
Music
A guide to playing or singing a particular tune; sheet music.
Song
An object of derision; a laughing stock.
Music
Electronic signal jamming.
Song
That which is sung or uttered with musical modulations of the voice, whether of a human being or of a bird, insect, etc.
Music
Heated argument.
Song
A lyrical poem adapted to vocal music; a ballad.
Music
Fun; amusement.
Song
More generally, any poetical strain; a poem.
The bard that first adorned our native tongueTuned to his British lyre this ancient song.
Music
(transitive) To seduce or entice with music.
Song
Poetical composition; poetry; verse.
This subject for heroic song.
Music
The science and the art of tones, or musical sounds, i. e., sounds of higher or lower pitch, begotten of uniform and synchronous vibrations, as of a string at various degrees of tension; the science of harmonical tones which treats of the principles of harmony, or the properties, dependences, and relations of tones to each other; the art of combining tones in a manner to please the ear.
Song
An object of derision; a laughingstock.
And now am I their song, yea, I am their byword.
Music
Melody; a rhythmical and otherwise agreeable succession of tones.
Song
A trifle; an insignificant sum of money; as, he bought it for a song.
Music
The written and printed notation of a musical composition; the score.
Song
A short musical composition with words;
A successful musical must have at least three good songs
Music
Love of music; capacity of enjoying music.
The man that hath no music in himselfNor is not moved with concord of sweet sounds,Is fit for treasons, stratagems, and spoils.
Song
A distinctive or characteristic sound;
The song of bullets was in the air
The song of the wind
The wheels sang their song as the train rocketed ahead
Music
A more or less musical sound made by many of the lower animals. See Stridulation.
Song
The act of singing;
With a shout and a song they marched up to the gates
Music
An artistic form of auditory communication incorporating instrumental or vocal tones in a structured and continuous manner
Song
The characteristic sound produced by a bird;
A bird will not learn its song unless it hears it at an early age
Music
Any agreeable (pleasing and harmonious) sounds;
He fell asleep to the music of the wind chimes
Song
A very small sum;
He bought it for a song
Music
Musical activity (singing or whistling etc.);
His music was his central interest
Song
The imperial dynasty of China from 960 to 1279; noted for art and literature and philosophy
Music
(music) the sounds produced by singers or musical instruments (or reproductions of such sounds)
Song
A piece of music with lyrics.
That's my favorite song on the album.
Music
Punishment for one's actions;
You have to face the music
Take your medicine
FAQs
Do all songs have words?
Most songs have lyrics, but there can be instrumental versions of songs.
Is a symphony considered music or a song?
A symphony is music; it's not typically considered a song.
Can animals produce songs?
Yes, many birds and animals have distinctive songs or calls.
Can a song be purely instrumental?
While rare, some instrumental pieces are called "songs" if they have a lyrical version.
Can music exist without lyrics?
Yes, instrumental pieces are a form of music without lyrics.
Can poetry be considered a song?
Poetry can be the lyrics of a song, but not all poetry is sung.
What is music?
Music is the art of organizing sound harmoniously or expressively.
Can a melody be called a song?
Not necessarily. A melody is a tune, and while it can be part of a song, it's not a song by itself.
What's essential for a piece to be classified as a song?
Typically, a vocal element and often lyrics.
How does a song differ from music?
A song is a composition meant to be sung, typically with lyrics.
How long is a typical song?
Popular songs are often between 2 to 5 minutes, but length can vary.
What's the main component of music?
Organized sound, either instrumental, vocal, or both.
Is rap music or a song?
Rap can be both; it's a genre of music and individual raps are songs.
Can a song exist without music?
Typically, a song requires some musical element, even if it's just rhythm, but spoken word pieces can blur this definition.
What's the difference between a song's chorus and verse?
A verse tells the story, while the chorus is the repeated section often expressing the main theme.
Can music be made without instruments?
Yes, vocal music or acapella doesn't require instruments.
How has technology influenced music?
Technology has transformed music production, distribution, and consumption with innovations like digital recording and streaming.
What are the elements of music?
Elements include melody, rhythm, harmony, dynamics, and timbre.
Are all musical pieces songs?
No, not all musical pieces are songs. Music encompasses more than just songs.
Is the background score in movies considered music or song?
It's considered music, though movies can also feature songs with lyrics.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Aimie CarlsonAimie Carlson, holding a master's degree in English literature, is a fervent English language enthusiast. She lends her writing talents to Difference Wiki, a prominent website that specializes in comparisons, offering readers insightful analyses that both captivate and inform.
