Why is it that lyrics are not protected like music?

[BIG.DADDY]

why can you be sued for using someone else's music or what sound like someone else's music but not for quoting someone else's lyrics?
I may be incorrect in my assumption but penalties for music borrowing are more prominent that lyrics.

[Elevz]

Some artists do have copyrighted lyrics (for example, the lyrics to Eminem's Lose Yourself are copyrighted, if I remember correctly). However, copyrighted lyrics are rare.

Why? I don't know. Maybe because everyone can make up some lines, but not everyone can create a musical masterpiece? It's a lot harder to recognise someone biting lines, when they're just saying "I'll kill you on that lyrical shit". Is that considered biting, just because someone else said it before?

[ac1386]

Some artists do have copyrighted lyrics (for example, the lyrics to Eminem's Lose Yourself are copyrighted, if I remember correctly). However, copyrighted lyrics are rare.

Why? I don't know. Maybe because everyone can make up some lines, but not everyone can create a musical masterpiece? It's a lot harder to recognise someone biting lines, when they're just saying "I'll kill you on that lyrical shit". Is that considered biting, just because someone else said it before?

that sums it up....theres only so many words in the english language. besides rappers talk about this all the time, a good lyracist dont give a shit if you steal his lyrics cause he can come up with more good shit, and people can see through the bull shit cause most of us aint that stupid.