liner notes

Meaning

1. 1nounpluralmusic

   Printed text that comes with a music album, giving details about the songs, musicians and recording.

   Grammar: Used as a plural noun: the liner notes are fascinating.

   Patterns

   • the liner notes to something
   • liner notes for something

   I read the liner notes while the album played.

   The liner notes list every musician who played on the record.

   She wrote the liner notes for the band's reissue.

Common combinations

read the liner notes

He likes to read the liner notes on a long train ride.

write liner notes

A famous critic wrote liner notes for the jazz box set.

according to the liner notes

According to the liner notes, the song was recorded in one take.

detailed liner notes

The deluxe edition has detailed liner notes.

Synonyms and how they differ

sleeve notes

Sleeve notes is the more common British equivalent and means the same thing.

booklet

A booklet is the physical folded pages; liner notes are the text inside it.

credits

Credits list who worked on the album, while liner notes can also include stories and commentary.

Word family

liner noun

the paper sleeve or inner cover of a record

note noun

a short piece of writing

notes noun

written comments or information

Commonly confused: liner notes or musical notes?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “liner notes”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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