There exist various lyrics, such as yuri mono (also called yujo mono, the song of love affairs in the red-light district), bojo mono (also called jochi mono, the song of love affairs of the public), shibai mono (the song featuring a drama), yakusha mono (the song featuring an actor), bareuta (the song that has a satirical or sophisticated flavor), and inakauta (a traditional folk song and the like).
詞の内容は遊里物・遊女物（遊里のお色気を扱ったもの）、慕情物・情痴物（市井のお色気を扱ったもの）、芝居物・役者物（芝居や役者を題材にするもの）、バレ唄（諷刺・洒脱のきいたもの）、田舎唄（民謡系）などがある。