This is a very common song structure. It consists of a series of verses (usually two or three), interspersed with a refrain (chorus), and often with an instrumental break towards the end of the song. A chorus usually contrasts with a verse harmonically, melodically, lyrically and by the way that it is arranged. Choruses are usually "fuller" in sound, and contain the "hook" of the material - a short, repeated, instantly memorable musical element. One of the most famous examples of this form is “Candle In The Wind” by Elton John. (There are two versions of this song, one of which was lyrically adapted as a tribute to Princess Diana).
The structure here is Intro, Verse 1, Chorus, Verse 2, Chorus, Verse 3, Chorus. (after each chorus there is a brief musical interlude). The song is originally in the key of E, beginning on the E chord in the verse, but moving to the dominant chord as the first chord in the chorus (B). Songs with this type of structure often begin the chorus with a different chord to the home key, in order to provide a harmonic contrast with what has gone before.
This verse-chorus structure can be flexed and developed. For example, consider the song “Run” (“Light up, light up”), by Snow Patrol (recently covered by Leona Lewis). Here the structure is Verse 1, Chorus, Verse 2 (shorter), Chorus, Chorus (with different words), Instrumental (over the chords of the chorus) followed by one more Chorus! Again, there is a shift of harmony when we arrive at the chorus. The song moves from A minor in the verses, to C major in the chorus. So here the song moves up to the relative major. This mirrors the shift lyrically to the words “Light up, light up” as the music modulates to the major.
Verse, Chorus and Bridge songs
A development of this structure is to have a third section (usually termed “bridge”, but can also be called “middle eight” or “breakdown”). This section usually only occurs once in the song, and forms a contrast with the repetition of verses and choruses. A bridge will usually contrast with the rest of the material by it's harmony, rhythm and melody. A recent example of this is the song “Fix You” by Coldplay. Here’s how the structure of the song works:-
Instru intro
Verse 1 (in Eb)
Verse 2
Chorus (starting on Ab)
Instru link
Verse 3 (back in Eb)
Chorus (Ab again)
Instru link Bridge (in Eb)
Chorus (Ab, finishing on Eb)
Here the bridge forms a complete contrast to what has gone before. Verses 1, 2 and 3 and the early choruses are very simply arranged with organ, piano and acoustic guitar. However, the bridge is dominated by electric guitar, drums, and bass. The material of the bridge also moves in sixteenths (sixteen semi-quavers to the bar, played on the electric guitar) creating the illusion of speed (over what is essentially a ballad). This technique is often refered to as “double timing”. Bridges can also be a point where the music “half times”. For example, if we have an up tempo song, the bridge may move so that the chords go at half the speed of the rate that they changed in the chorus. (For example, "Fill My Little World Right Up", by The Feeling – the bridge drops to half time with the words “Maybe it’s all too much …" etc.)
One more point before we leave “Fix You” – notice how the first chord of the chorus is Ab, the sub-dominant of the Eb of the verses. (The sub-dominant can be found by going up four steps on the major scale – make sure you include the first note!).
