A song is a musical composition carried by the human voice using patterns of sound and silence. It usually tells a story, though some songs are made to simply be repeated and remembered (like the theme song to Spongebob Squarepants). Song can be created by songwriters, or folk songs may be passed down generation to generation as tradition.
Sometimes songwriting can be a collaborative process and it’s possible to get involved in creating lyrics, melody and chord structures all at the same time. In a song, these elements need to work together in order to create the effect that we listeners enjoy. When this happens, the melody learns to lilt where the words need it and the lyrics adapt to the shape of the melodies.
In a traditional song, there are typically three parts: the intro, the verse and the chorus. The intro is the introduction to the song and can be as simple as a bar or two of instrumental music that sets the tone for what’s to come. The verse is the part of the song where the story or meaning of the lyrics unfolds. The chorus is the big payoff and climax of the song. It’s the part of the song where all the hard work from the verse and pre-chorus pays off in a big sentiment or lyric.
Sometimes, a song can also include a bridge. The bridge is often a chance for the singer to take a breather from the repetitive nature of the verse and chorus. It can be a chance to improvise or change the direction of the song, or it can offer a variation on a theme that has already been explored in the verse and chorus.