The term song is broadly defined as “a poem or other set of words, accompanied by music and intended to be sung or rapped.” Songwriting can take many forms, but the common components include an introduction, verse, chorus, bridge, and outro. These sections can be repeated, like the cyclical structure of a traditional pop song (ABC), or broken into unique segments that differ from each other.
A song’s intro introduces the listener to a mood, instrumentation, and beat, and sets the tone for the rest of the song. It’s often instrumental, featuring variations on a main theme.
Verse sections are a singer’s chance to tell their story and convey emotions. They often have the same rhyme scheme as the chorus, and the songwriter may use different phrasing to create variation. The verse also establishes the tempo, meter, and key of the song and can feature a pre-chorus to heighten the impact of the chorus.
Chorus sections are the song’s big statement, musically and lyrically. They usually repeat the same lyrics, and are characterized by powerful melodies that pull together sections of the song into a cohesive whole. The chorus can also have a pre-chorus to build anticipation, and sometimes has a unique chord progression to distinguish it from the verse and chorus.
A bridge section is a space for musicians to express their individuality, and can contrast with the chorus in terms of melody and chords. It can have a more relaxed pace than the other sections of the song, and is often used as a vocal break to allow the artist to perform a solo. A bridge can also feature a climactic shift in the song’s key, tempo, or rhythm, or it might be a purely instrumental break that provides relief from the repetition of the verse and chorus.