Music and Culture・音楽文化論
Song Form Explanation Examples
AB AB Popular form since the 1960s. Used in love - “Stand By Me” (Ben E. King, 1961) songs, pop, country, rap and rock music. - “Bad Moon Rising” (CCR, 1969) Verse / Chorus / Verse / Chorus Unlike the AABA form or AAA, which both - “More than This” (Roxy Music, 1982) highlight the verse, ABAB puts emphasis - “I Really Like You” (Carly Rae Jepsen, entirely on the chorus. 2015)
AB AB CB Same as ABAB with verse-chorus. This form - “(Sittin’ On The) Dock of the adds a third distinct section C (the bridge, Bay” (Otis Redding, 1968) Verse / Chorus / Verse / Chorus / also known as the “Middle 8”). - “Fly By Night” (Rush, 1975) Bridge / Chorus - “High and Dry” (Radiohead, 1995).
AB AB CB / AB AB As above with a pre-chorus which introduces / “Firework” (Katy Perry, 2010) builds to the chorus. “New Summer” (Young Galaxy, ) … Pre-Chorus / Chorus ...
AA B A (also ABAB) A denotes the verse, while B denotes the "Don’t Stop" (Fleetwood Mac, 1977) bridge. There’s no chorus in this structure. "Every Little Thing She Does is Verse / Verse / Bridge / Verse Instead, each verse usually ends (or begins) Magic" (The Police, 1981) with a refrain. "Somebody That I Used To Know" (Gotye, 2011) A refrain is a line or two that is part of the verse and repeats throughout the song.
AAA Also called strophic song form. Rare in "Amazing Grace" (Traditional) contemporary music. Like the AABA structure, “All Along the Watchtower” Verse / Verse / Verse this one also makes use of a refrain in the (Jimi Hendrix, 1969) verses. Both AABA and AAA are good song "Bridge Over Troubled Water" forms for story-telling. (Simon and Garfunkel, 1969)
AABA Song Form A Section (8 measures or bars) 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 A Section (8 measures or bars) 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 B Section (8 measures or bars) 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 A Section (8 measures or bars)
1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
Sources (Compiled / Adapted):
“A Guide to Song Forms: AB Song Form and ABC Song Form.” Songstuff.com
Song Elements and Song Forms Music and Culture・音楽文化論
I. Pop or Rock Song II. Dance-Oriented Song
Elements Explanation Elements Explanation
Short for 'introduction', the intro is the first part of Generally 16 bars or more of drums/ the song, its purpose being to set up the song and percussion to give DJs an easy way to mix lead into the verse section. It might be a build-up into the track from the previous tune. A Intro Beat Intro starting with just one or two elements of the main melodic hook often fades in gradually as the backing track, or the chorus chords with vocal ad intro progresses. libs.
Lyrically, the verses contain the story of the song. The song reverts to its most basic While the chorus or refrain is likely to have the components. Sometimes, the drums drop Verse Breakdown same words each time, the verse must keep the out completely, making room for a sparse moving along. arrangement of musical elements.
Refrain: A part of the verse that is repeated. Used Sets the stage for the chorus or 'drop' in AABA and AAA forms. Usually placed at the section by building tension gradually, Refrain beginning or end of each verse and is often the Build-up doubling the speed of drum fills, using risers title of the song. - synth sounds that rise in pitch or get brighter as the section goes on.
Pre-Chorus The pre-chorus is an addition which leads to the The equivalent of a pop chorus - dance (Sometimes chorus. It can repeat the same lyrics each time it music drops often tend to come in hard with Drop called the appears, the same way a chorus does. Musically, it a bass-heavy groove and full-height synth bridge, UK) helps build up to the chorus. hook.
The main part of the song, the main idea or Makes a break in the middle of the tune, it message of the song. Usually contains the title and often contains its own unique elements, Chorus Middle Break hook. Melodically, the chorus is the catchiest part ending with a mini-build-up. of the song.
The hook does not necessarily refer to a specific The second drop is similar in energy and section of a song; rather it’s the catchiest part of a pace to the first, but may contain significant Hook Second Drop song, usually found in the chorus or the refrain. changes to the hook, bass line or drums, to add variety to the song.
The bridge is a departure from verse and chorus, The opposite of the beat intro, providing a Bridge for both the lyrics and the music. Lyrically, it’s an good long chunk of simplified groove for (Sometimes opportunity for a new perspective. Musically, it’s a Beat Outro DJs to mix out on. called the chance to offer listeners something new and hold middle 8, UK) interest.
The final part of the song, often just the chorus Outro repeated two or three times to fade (in which case it would be known as the 'outro chorus').
Refrain: A Refrain is repeated at points throughout the song, often using the main lyrical hook / title. It uses the melody and rhythm of the verse.
Chorus: A Chorus is really a special type of refrain; one that often uses multiple voices. The melody, rhythm and intensity are usually significantly different from those in the verse, making it a distinct musical section. The title of the song is usually included in the chorus as well as the main theme. The word "chorus" refers to the multiple voices that join the solo singer during this section. Thus, the individual singer is usually joined by one or more other singers.
Title Placement: The title line is usually part of the chorus and can be placed in the chorus in: (1) first line (2) first and third line (3) second and fourth line (4) the last line (5) The first and last line (6) every line. The first and last lines tend to be the strongest title / main hook positions. The title can also be part or all of the refrain.