Singer-songwriter is a term that refers to performers who write, compose and sing their own material including lyrics and melodies, often providing the sole accompaniment to an entire composition or song. A number of other well-known musicians may write some of their own songs but are usually referred to as singers instead.

In the United States, the category is built on the folk-acoustic tradition, although this role has transmuted through different eras of popular music. Works categorized as singer-songwriter music have evolved to include a much broader range of influences, for example, Blues, Lounge, Jazz, and even Pop.

In Russia and other Eastern European countries, there's a longstanding tradition of singers-songwriters, or "singing poets", who are called bards or minstrels.