songwriter, songster, ballad maker

a composer of words or music for popular songs

• Berlin, Irving Berlin, Israel Baline — United States songwriter (born in Russia) who wrote more than 1500 songs and several musical comedies (1888-1989)
• Carmichael, Hoagy Carmichael, Hoagland Howard Carmichael — United States songwriter (1899-1981)
• Cohan, George M. Cohan, George Michael Cohan — United States songwriter and playwright famous for his patriotic songs (1878-1942)
• Domino, Fats Domino, Antoine Domino — United States rhythm and blues pianist and singer and composer (born in 1928)
• Dylan, Bob Dylan — United States songwriter noted for his protest songs (born in 1941)
• Foster, Stephen Foster, Stephen Collins Foster — United States songwriter whose songs embody the sentiment of the South before the American Civil War (1826-1864)
• Guthrie, Woody Guthrie, Woodrow Wilson Guthrie — United States folk singer and songwriter (1912-1967)
• Holly, Buddy Holly, Charles Hardin Holley — United States rock star (1936-1959)
• Lennon, John Lennon — English rock star and guitarist and songwriter who with Paul McCartney wrote most of the music for the Beatles (1940-1980)
• McCartney, Paul McCartney, Sir James Paul McCartney — English rock star and bass guitarist and songwriter who with John Lennon wrote most of the music for the Beatles (born in 1942)
• Simon, Paul Simon — United States singer and songwriter (born in 1942)

• composer — composes music as a profession