Lost in the Song--Send Help! Part 2

In the previous post, we talked about song form and anticipating where the band is likely to go next. We talked about the verse (V) and chorus (C) sections of the songs, and went through the most basic song format: V1 - C - V2 - C - C

The Pre-Chorus:

The pre-chorus (P) is a section of the song that is also called the “lift." Its purpose is to build a sense of excitement that leads to the chorus. Generally speaking, it goes between the verse and the chorus. So with a pre-chorus, “once down” the song is: verse - pre-chorus - chorus, or V - P - C.

Here is a common song form that includes a pre-chorus:

V1 - P - C

V2 - P - C - C

We can refer to this as “twice down, extra chorus" or "twice down, double chorus."

The Bridge:

The bridge (B) is a section of the song that happens after we’ve completed at least two choruses. The role of the bridge is simple, to create contrast. We’ve already heard the song “twice down." We’re getting a little sick of it, and we need to mix it up. The bridge can be very busy and loud, or very open and soft. All it has to be is a change of pace for the listener. So with a bridge our basic song form becomes:

V1 - C

V2 - C

B - C- C

Notice that we added another chorus. We would call this “twice down, bridge, double chorus."

Here's what a song that includes both a pre-chorus and a bridge might look like:

V1 - P - C

V2 - P - C

B - C - C

We'd call this "twice down, bridge, double chorus."

Listen to these songs and listen for the form:

YOUR GRACE IS ENOUGH by Matt Maher

This one is twice down with a pre-chorus, but no bridge. They use the pre-chorus on the 3rd section where a bridge would go. We would say “twice down, pre-chorus, double chorus”

V1 - P - C

V2 - P - C

P - C - C

YOU ARE MY KING by Darlene Zscheck

This one is twice down with an extra verse at the beginning. There is an extra chorus before and after the bridge. We would say “twice down, chorus, bridge, double chorus”

V - V - C

V - C - C

B - C - C

Here are a couple more songs to listen to. What is their song form?

BLESSED BE YOUR NAME by Matt Redman

HOW GREAT IS OUR GOD by Chris Tomlin

In the next part of this series, we'll look at intros, outros, tags, turnarounds, and vamps. You’ll never be lost in the song again!