A song is a musical composition with vocals. It consists of rhythm and melody, and can also include lyrics that express emotion or a narrative. A song can be as simple as a dolphin’s call to potential mates or as complex as the symphony of classical music. Some songs are part of particular cultural traditions or national histories, while others have no specific context beyond their creation. Ideas about songs are found in literature as well, and they can inform literary works in the same way that characters or events do.
Most songs are based on the same basic structure. A song starts with an introduction, then moves into a verse, pre-chorus and chorus. The verse is usually a chance to tell a story or convey a certain emotion, while the pre-chorus is often a chance to build up momentum before the chorus comes in. The chorus should be the climax of the entire song, as it should contain the most important ideas from the verse and pre-chorus. Many songs also include a bridge, which can be a chance to bring the energy down a bit before building back up for the final chorus and ending of the song.
An outro, or coda, is an opportunity to end the song in any manner that suits the emotional impact the composer wants to have on the listener. A good way to do this is with a fade out or an instrumental solo, which can add excitement and surprise to the song.