Music Lyrics Terminology

Question 1

A story or narrative woven into the song that represents a deeper moral or political message, using characters and scenarios as symbols for broader concepts.

Answer 1

Allegory

Question 2

The repetition of initial consonant sounds in closely positioned words within lyrics, used to create rhythm and catchiness, enhancing the song’s memorability.

Answer 2

Alliteration

Question 3

A lyrical strategy where words or phrases are intentionally left open to multiple interpretations, adding depth and allowing listeners to find personal meaning in the song.

Answer 3

Ambiguity

Question 4

The repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive lines in lyrics, employed to emphasize a theme or emotion, enhancing the song’s impact.

Answer 4

Anaphora

Question 5

A lyrical device where the singer addresses an absent person, an abstract idea, or a non-human entity, often to express longing or abstract concepts.

Answer 5

Apostrophe

Question 6

The repetition of vowel sounds within close proximity in lyrics, used to create internal rhyming and enrich the song’s sound quality.

Answer 6

Assonance

Question 7

A style found in songs with lyrics that do not rhyme but follow a regular metric pattern, often iambic pentameter, to maintain a rhythmic flow without the constraints of rhyming.

Answer 7

Blank Verse

Question 8

A deliberate pause in the middle of a lyrical line, used for dramatic effect or to allow the listener to reflect on the lyrics’ meaning.

Answer 8

Caesura

Question 9

The repetition of consonant sounds within close proximity in lyrics, not limited to the beginnings of words, used to create a harmonious effect or to emphasize certain words.

Answer 9

Consonance

Question 10

Two consecutive lines in a song that rhyme and often share the same meter, serving to conclude a thought or argument within the lyrics.

Answer 10

Couplet

Question 11

In lyrics, the artist’s choice of words to convey tone, emotion, and meaning, shaping the song’s atmosphere and listener’s perception.

Answer 11

Diction

Question 12

The continuation of a lyrical phrase or sentence beyond the end of a line or verse into the next, creating a flow that mirrors natural speech or adds urgency.

Answer 12

Enjambment

Question 13

The repetition of a word or phrase at the end of successive lines or verses in a song, used for emphasis or to build a theme.

Answer 13

Epistrophe

Question 14

The use of a milder or less direct word or phrase in lyrics to discuss sensitive topics, soften the impact, or convey politeness.

Answer 14

Euphemism

Question 15

Lyrics that do not follow a specific rhyme scheme or meter, allowing for flexibility in expression and a more conversational tone.

Answer 15

Free Verse

Question 16

The use of exaggerated language in lyrics to emphasize a point, evoke strong feelings, or create a dramatic effect.

Answer 16

Hyperbole

Question 17

The use of vivid and descriptive language in lyrics to create sensory experiences for the listener, painting pictures with words to enhance emotional connection.

Answer 17

Imagery

Question 18

The expression of one’s meaning by using language that normally signifies the opposite, often for humorous or emphatic effect in lyrics.

Answer 18

Irony

Question 19

A lyrical device where a word or phrase is applied to an object or action to which it is not literally applicable, suggesting a similarity or analogy.

Answer 19

Metaphor

Question 20

A figure of speech in which a thing or concept is referred to by the name of something closely associated with it in the lyrics, for symbolic effect.

Answer 20

Metonymy

Question 21

The rhythmic pattern of stresses in the lyrics, contributing to the song’s flow and musicality.

Answer 21

Meter

Question 22

A repeating element within lyrics that symbolizes a particular theme or idea, reinforcing the song’s message.

Answer 22

Motif

Question 23

The use of words that mimic sounds in lyrics, adding a vivid auditory effect to the song.

Answer 23

Onomatopoeia

Question 24

The pairing of contradictory terms in lyrics to reveal a deeper or ironic truth.

Answer 24

Oxymoron

Question 25

A statement in lyrics that seems contradictory yet reveals a truth, adding depth to the song’s meaning.

Answer 25

Paradox

Question 26

Assigning human emotions to elements of nature in lyrics to enhance imagery or convey mood.

Answer 26

Pathetic Fallacy

Question 27

Attributing human qualities to non-human elements in lyrics, enriching the imagery and emotional connection.

Answer 27

Personification

Question 28

Four lines of lyrics that form a distinct unit, often with a rhyme scheme, contributing to the structure of the song.

Answer 28

Quatrain

Question 29

A line or set of lines repeated at intervals throughout a song, serving as a thematic anchor or chorus.

Answer 29

Refrain

Question 30

The pattern of rhymes at the end of each line in a song, often labeled with letters to denote which lines rhyme.

Answer 30

Rhyme Scheme

Question 31

The use of ‘s’ or ‘sh’ sounds in lyrics to create a hissing or soothing sound, enhancing the song’s auditory texture.

Answer 31

Sibilance

Question 32

A figure of speech comparing two different things using “like” or “as” in lyrics, enriching imagery.

Answer 32

Simile

Question 33

A group of lines in a song that form a verse, serving as a building block of the song’s structure.

Answer 33

Stanza

Question 34

An object, person, or situation in lyrics that represents something beyond its literal meaning deepening the song’s thematic layers.

Answer 34

Symbol

Question 35

A figure of speech in which a part is used to represent the whole or vice versa in lyrics, for poetic effect.

Answer 35

Synecdoche

Question 36

The overall attitude or mood conveyed by the lyrics, influenced by word choice and melody.

Answer 36

Tone

Question 37

The deliberate presentation of something as less important than it actually is in lyrics, often for ironic effect.

Answer 37

Understatement

Question 38

The sections of a song that tell the story or express the main ideas, distinct from the chorus or bridge.

Answer 38

Verse

Question 39

A contrasting section that connects two parts of a song, often introducing a new melody or perspective.

Answer 39

Bridge

Question 40

The repetitive and catchy part of a song, emphasizes the main theme or message.

Answer 40

Chorus

Question 41

A memorable musical or lyrical phrase that captures the essence of the song, making it catchy.

Answer 41

Hook

Question 42

A repeated chord progression or sequence in music that is catchy and distinctive.

Answer 42

Riff

Question 43

The combination of simultaneously sounded musical notes to produce chords with a pleasing effect.

Answer 43

Harmony

Question 44

The sequence of musical notes that are musically satisfying and are considered the main theme of the song.

Answer 44

Melody

Question 45

The speed at which a song is played, affecting its mood and style.

Answer 45

Tempo

Question 46

The variations in loudness within a song, adding expression to the music.

Answer 46

Dynamics

Question 47

The quality of a musical note or sound that distinguishes different types of sound production.

Answer 47

Timbre

Question 48

The style of simultaneously convincing several independent melodies, each with its own importance.

Answer 48

Polyphony

Question 49

Incorporating a portion of a sound recording into a new song, often used in hip-hop and electronic music.

Answer 49

Sampling

Question 50

The use of notes that clash, creating a tension or conflict in the music before resolving.

Answer 50

Dissonance