There is no need to elaborate on why the lyrics of a vocal piece are outstanding. The words provide the much-wanted "hook" for any song, the element that will attract future listeners. This is why the songwriting process is just as important as producing the actual music or vocalization of the vocal. The words of any vocal are not arbitrarily composed to make sense or argue for the song; music and lyrics go together because listeners can tell if they don’t. While the words are significant in any vocal, their importance in a vocal from a musical is much more substantial. A song stands alone, so to speak, since it survives for itself and can convey meaning without the linguistic context of the album where it belongs or the artist who performed it. A song from a musical, on the other hand, usually doesn’t. Or, at the very least, linguistic context and knowledge of its origin enhance the song and the listening experience. A musical is a form of theater that fuses habitual spoken dialogue (as in a representative play), calls, music, and dance. The songs—and their lyrics—function as an inherent part of the production. Rather than just being a vocal, these singing pieces tell the story and help the story resonate with modern audiences. In other words, the vocals and the lyrics of these songs are extensions of the larger narrative. Lyrical theatre was a very significant and senior part of music decades ago. In fact, vocals from musicals often overshadowed standalone songs. While song-like trends have changed over the years, musical theaters continue to be a very vibrant art form, and songs from these productions continue to captivate audiences. The lyrics of these songs are catchy. Unlike the average song which refers to a worldwide hit or vocal, the lyrics of these songs narrate a significant story, making the songs more magnetic and tender. Some may not realize that songs and lyrics from musicals have become part of popular culture, especially since they have been separated from the musicals where they originated. These are commonly called show tunes. Notable examples of show tunes include “Memory” from the popular musical Cats (one of the longest-running musicals on Broadway), a song that was magnificently performed by Barbra Streisand. Even those who love this iconic song might not know that “Memory” is from a musical; the song’s evocative lyrics make it appealing even to those who haven't seen the production. Other musicals were created differently, with musical comedies using present-day songs in their productions. An example of this is the musical Mamma Mia, a production that uses songs by ABBA. Yet, the words of these songs form the core of lyrical works. They serve the same purpose as how a dialog in a story should, albeit with the added charm of music. Musical theatre may not be as popular now as it was some years ago. Nonetheless, the songs and the lyrics from these productions will continue to linger in the hearts of millions.