The term structure, in a creative sense, can be described as the backbone that gives form and coherence to an artistic work. It’s the interplay of repetition and variation – guiding the listener through tension and resolution. At pointblank Music School, we teach songwriting in LA and London. If you’re interested in developing your writing skills, check out our popular degrees Music Production and Songwriting as well as our Music Production & Vocal Performance in our London campus. Our lecturers, who are active industry experts, will guide your creative vision and help you take your writing to a professional industry standard.
Why Do We Need Structure?
Songwriting is an art where rules shouldn’t exist and often, successful songwriters tend to break them – even unintentionally. But to break the rules, it’s worth knowing the qualities of a “successful formula” and understanding the role of structure. For example, a typical song that gets regular airplay on radio will:
- Maintain the balance between predictability and surprise:
A listener will get bored if your song is too predictable or complex - Is memorable by the listener:
Melodies, lyrics, and hooks are the main elements that create earworms - Grab the attention of the listener:
A mixture of techniques such as repetition, hook placement, and dynamics grabs attention
How Do We Create Structure?
To implement the concepts mentioned above, most song structures are built around sequences of 8-bar sections. These sections are commonly labelled with names (intro, verse, chorus, etc), which is especially helpful when collaborating with other creatives as it allows for clear communication. For instance, you can say “let’s play the chorus three times and then move into the second verse.”
But what exactly defines an intro, verse, chorus, or other sections? How do we identify and label these parts to create a cohesive structure? Let’s explore this in more detail
What is an Intro and Outro?
An intro is the opening section of a song, designed to set the tone and mood while introducing key musical elements such as the melody, rhythm, or instrumentation. It often serves to draw the listener in and prepare them for the main body of the song.
An outro, on the other hand, is the closing section used to bring the song to a satisfying conclusion. It can mirror elements of the intro, fade out gradually (will get into this more later), or provide a distinct ending that leaves a lasting impression. Both the intro and outro are essential for framing the song and shaping the listener’s experience.
A great example of both would be ABBA’s hit song “Gimme Gimme Gimme (A Man After Midnight)“:
What is a Verse?
The primary function of a verse in a song is to tell a story or describe a situation. This section typically introduces the characters and establishes the setting in which events or emotions unfold. Each verse generally features unique lyrics that progress the narrative and clarify the song’s purpose or message.
Artists have creative freedom when it comes to the melody of a verse. The melody can remain consistent throughout or vary according to the artist’s vision. Verses are commonly 8 or 16 bars long, though this is not a strict rule. A popular approach is to make the first verse longer than subsequent ones—for example, 16 bars for the first verse and 8 bars for the last.
Notable verses with a memorable storyline and slight changes in melody is Taylor Swift’s “You Belong With Me“:
What is a Pre-Chorus?
Do not confuse the bridge with the section that comes after the verse and leads into the chorus. Although some call it a bridge, this transitional section is often called a “pre-chorus”.
Without a pre-chorus, songs can sometimes feel “blocky,” meaning they seem composed in disconnected stages rather than flowing smoothly. This can disrupt the logical progression of the song, especially if the transition from verse to chorus feels abrupt or rushed. Pre-choruses address this issue by creating a smoother and more engaging transition.
The pre-chorus serves as the section after the verse that prepares the listener for the chorus. It often maintains the same lyrics each time it appears and builds anticipation by creating suspense or tension, enhancing the listener’s emotional response as the song progresses toward the chorus.
An iconic pre-chorus that you most likely have sung yourself is Katy Perry’s “Fireworks“:
What is a Chorus?
A chorus is often considered the musical peak or “hook” of a song and its most significant section. However, these assumptions are not entirely accurate. More precisely, the chorus serves as the part of the song designed for the audience to join in and sing along with the lead performer.
To facilitate audience participation, choruses typically have the same words. Consistency in lyrics makes it easier for listeners to remember, as varying the words in each chorus makes it less memorable. The chorus also conveys the central lyrical theme of the song and often forms the basis of its title, as seen in examples like “Billie Jean’s not my lover” and “We are family”. The repetition of musical and lyrical elements in the chorus is what makes it memorable and impactful.
Choruses are generally 8 bars long, though this is also not a strict rule. A common approach is to have the first chorus span 8 bars and expand subsequent choruses into a “double chorus,” where the section is repeated twice. Additionally, it was common in the 60s to 90s for songs to wrap with the chorus repeating multiple times, often accompanied by a fade-out, where the volume gradually decreases.
Check out one of many of Michael Jack’s legendary choruses “Billie Jean“:
What is a Bridge?
The bridge (or middle 8) is a pivotal section in a song named for its typical length of 8 bars. Although funnily enough, it can be any length. Its primary purpose is to introduce fresh ideas later in the song such as a “revelation” or a new lyrical perspective to add depth. However, it doesn’t always need lyrics; it can just as effectively be an instrumental solo. Ultimately, the key characteristic of the bridge is to break the pattern and keep the listeners anticipating with suspense.
A famous hit that’s notoriously known breaking the 8-bar length and building double bridges back to back is Outkast’s “Hey Ya!”:
What is a Hook?
A hook (also known as a tag) can also refer to a section of a song that repeats, such as a vamp of a few chords. There are two types of hooks: instrumental and instrumental & vocal. In an instrumental hook, the band’s rhythm section plays the music, while in an instrumental/vocal hook, the band and vocalist repeat a section of the song.
For example, a great hook is the ‘woohoo’ in Blur’s “Song 2“:
At pointblank, you can develop skills beyond songwriting and music theory, including music production, DJing, artist management, event planning, and even building global brands through our degrees. As a pointblank student, you’ll also gain exclusive access to a comprehensive Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), offering a wide range of free modules, resources, and interactive forums to support and enhance your educational journey. If you’d like to learn more about our courses, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us on (+44) 20 7729 4884.
Register to Access Free Courses, Plugins, Projects, Samples & More
When you register with pointblank, you access an array of free sounds, plugins, online course samples and much more! Simply register below and visit our Free Stuff page to get your hands on a range of exclusive music-making tools and tutorials provided by the team.