A song is a composition that combines lyrics (often poetic in nature) with music, often arranged in a rhythmic and melodic structure. They serve as a form of artistic expression conveying emotions, stories and ideas through the medium of sound and hold cultural significance across various societies around the world.
This week’s episode of What’s In A Song looks at the process that goes into composing a song. The most common approach to writing a song involves breaking down the song into sections, each with their own unique characteristics that can either contrast or complement one another. These sections are as follows:
Verse
The verse is the main story of a song, whether it is a lyrical narrative or an instrumental piece that serves to set the scene. It usually consists of several lines and follows a recurring rhyme scheme as it develops its storyline.
Chorus
The chorus is the big payoff and climax of a song, serving to bring all the verses together in one cohesive unit that can be remembered. It can either contrast with the other sections with its own harmony, or work as a harmonic pivot into a new chord progression like in this example from Robbie Williams.
Bridge
The bridge is often a more relaxed and mellow section than the verse and chorus. It can be as short as an instrumental bar or two or as full-blown as a fully realized musical section with alternate tempos and keys.