Does synchronization among speakers or singers require the presence of a beat? Is an implied underlying pulse or meter relevant? We set out to explore synchronization among speakers and singers as they speak or sing a variety of texts. We compare metrically strong nursery rhymes with non-metered prose. We compare singing in genres with two very different types of rhythm (samba and rock), and we compare sung and spoken versions of texts. In each case, we ask whether the rhythmic qualities of the texts facilitate synchronization. The metrical structure of the nursery rhyme does not facilitate synchronization compared to prose, while the simple beat of rock music does help. Further comparisons are provided in the text.