A song is a musical composition with vocals, music and lyrics. It can be sung a cappella, or accompanied by instruments. The main idea of a song is to tell a story through a well-crafted set of lyrics.
Songs are made up of three structural elements: the chorus, the verse, and the pre-chorus. In most hit songs, these sections work together to create a memorable and coherent piece of music.
Chorus – The chorus is often the name of the song, and serves as the climax of the song. It contains the catchiest part of the song and sums up the message of the entire piece.
Verse – A song verse is often the most underrated component of the song. This is because it is a chance for the songwriter to get his or her message across. Usually, a song has two or three verses, but the number can vary.
Pre-chorus – The pre-chorus is typically placed between the verse and the chorus. This section is often shorter and builds anticipation for the chorus. Generally, both the chorus and the pre-chorus use the same melody. However, songwriters can also add variations to the melody in the pre-chorus.
Bridge – A bridge is usually a different rhythm and melody than the rest of the song. It provides a break from the monotony of the song and introduces a new angle on the main song idea.
Refrain – A refrain is a repeated line in the song, usually one or two lines. This is important to keep the song interesting.