sentences:  The use of various character roles within the song lyrics is a common storytelling device.The success of the rock opera genre has inspired similar works in other musical styles, such as rap opera.In an early use of the term, the July 4, 1966, edition of "RPM Magazine" (published in Toronto) reported that "Bruce Cockburn and Mr [William] Hawkins are working on a Rock Opera, operating on the premise that to write you need only 'something to say'."