Chorus - The Graham English Wiki

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1 The Chorus

The Chorus

Songwriting Infobox
Songwriting
Song Model
Lyrics - Melody - Harmony - Rhythm - Form
Song Form
Title - Chorus - Verse - Prechorus - Bridge
v • d • e

Form Infobox
Form
Lyric - Melody - Harmony - Rhythm - Form
v • d • e

A chorus is the part of the song that keeps coming back. This part of the song usually includes the song title and summarizes the main idea of the lyric. It is also usually the emotional high point—the most intense part of the lyric.

Why is it called a "chorus?" Because the audience is supposed to sing along.

Choruses are usually made up of two alternating types of lines:

Title Line

T represents the title

Swing Line

A swing line is a lyric that is different from the title. The dash “-” represents the swing line.

The title line and the swing line can contrast both lyrically and melodically.

Six Basic Chorus Forms

The most common chorus types are:

T T T T

Give Me Everything, Pitbull
Just Can't Get Enough, The Black Eyed Peas
What's My Name?, Rihanna & Drake
Good Life, One Republic
Blow, Ke$ha
I'm On One, DJ Khaled
You Make Me Feel..., Cobra Starship
Roll Up, Wiz Khalifa
For The First Time, The Script
We Found Love, Rihanna
Pretty Girl Rock, Keri Hilson
Country Girl (Shake It for Me), Luke Bryan
Headlines, Drake
Rhiannon, Fleetwood Mac
Power To The People, John Lennon
Born in the USA, Bruce Springsteen
Spirits in a Material World, The Police

- T - T

Fuck You, Cee Lo Green
Super Bass, Nicki Minaj
Moves Like Jagger, Maroon 5
On the Floor, Jennifer Lopez
Just the Way You Are, Bruno Mars
Tonight (I'm Lovin' You), Enrique Iglesias
F**kin', Perfect P!nk
Till the World Ends, Britney Spears
We R Who We R, Ke$ha
Black and Yellow, Wiz Khalifa
Just a Dream, Nelly
Hold It Against Me, Britney Spears
Back to December, Taylor Swift
Remind Me, Brad Paisley
In the Dark, Dev
Don't Wanna Go Home, Jason Derülo
Price Tag, Jessie J
She Will, Lil Wayne
Material Girl, Madonna
Best of My Love, Eagles
Time After Time, Cindy Lauper

T - - T

Raise Your Glass, P!nk
The Lazy Song, Bruno Mars
The Show Goes On, Lupe Fiasco
Stereo Hearts, Gym Class Heroes
Coming Home, Diddy - Dirty Money & Skylar Grey
Only Girl (In the World), Rihanna
Just a Kiss, Lady Antebellum
More, Usher
What The Hell, Avril Lavigne
Don't You Wanna Stay, Jason Aldean
Crazy Girl, Eli Young Band
Take a Back Road, Rodney Atkins
Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not, Thompson Square
How Can We Be Lovers, Michael Bolton

- - - T

E.T., Katy Perry
S&M, Rihanna
Born This Way, Lady GaGa
Down On Me, Jeremih & 50 Cent
Lighters, Bad Meets Evil
Dynamite, Taio Cruz
I Need a Doctor, Dr. Dre
Rocketeer, Far East Movement & Ryan Tedder
Hold It Against Me, Britney Spears
Honey Bee, Blake Shelton
Barefoot Blue Jean Night, Jake Owen
Animal, Neon Trees
Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers, Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers
The End Of The Innocence, Don Henley
I Shall Be Released, Bob Dylan
Don't Think Twice, It's All Right, Bob Dylan
Separate Lives, Phil Collins
King of Pain, The Police

T - - -

Party Rock Anthem, LMFAO
Firework, Katy Perry
Grenade, Bruno Mars
Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.), Katy Perry
Someone Like You, Adele
The Time (Dirty Bit), The Black Eyed Peas
Hey Baby (Drop It to the Floor), Pitbull
Dirt Road Anthem, Jason Aldean
Written In The Stars, Tinie Tempah
Knee Deep, Zac Brown Band
You and Tequila, Kenny Chesney
Fortress around Your Heart, Sting
Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic, The Police
Acadian Driftwood, The Band
Stage Fright, The Band
Good Times, Bad Times, Led Zeppelin
Sweet Caroline, Neil Diamond
I Will Remember You, Sarah McLachlan
Fire and Rain, James Taylor

T - T -

Pumped Up Kicks, Foster the People
The Edge of Glory, Lady GaGa
Tonight Tonight, Hot Chelle Rae
I Wanna Go, Britney Spears
Moment 4 Life, Nicki Minaj
Motivation, Kelly Rowland
All Of The Lights, Kanye West
Bottoms Up, Trey Songz
Life Is A Carnival, The Band
Genie In a Bottle, Christina Aguilera
I Knew I Loved You, Savage Garden
I Wanna Dance With Somebody, Whitney Houston
Hello Old Friend, Eric Clapton
Victim of Love, Eagles
Rock & Roll Hoochie Koo, Rick Derringer

Qualities of a Successful Chorus

The title has emphasis.
It stands out.
The chorus lyric summarizes or comments on the main idea of the verse/prechorus lyric.
It is the emotional high point of the song.
It is the most intense part of the song.
It is the climax of the song.
It feels like it lifts.
It is easy to sing.
It is easy to remember.
It either fulfills audience expectations or surprises audience expectations.
It contrasts the other song sections (Verse, Prechorus, Bridge; if they exist)
It feels different from the other song sections.
It has a different idea than verse—Lyrically, melodically, harmonically, rhythmically.
It is developed differently—Lyrically, melodically, harmonically, rhythmically.
It is the arrival point of the song = "This is what I'm talking about", "This is why I'm telling this story."
It gains meaning and interest every time it is repeated.
Big ideas in the chorus, small details in the verse.

You will know you have written a good chorus when:

I hear the title stand out from everything else.
I understand the meaning of the lyric and it resonates with my life experience.
It feels more intense than the other sections.
The listener is singing or humming along (not always out loud).
The listener remembers the melody and the lyric long after the song is over.

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Categories: Music | Songwriting | Form | Chorus

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@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+== The Chorus ==
 {{Songwriting_Infobox}}
+{{Form_Infobox}}
-== The Chorus ==
-In order to fully understand choruses and how to write them, we need to break the chorus down into its basic fundamentals.
-The first fundamental to learn is the definition of a chorus.
 A chorus is the part of the song that keeps coming back. This part of the song usually includes the song title and summarizes the main idea of the lyric. It is also usually the emotional high point—the most intense part of the lyric.
-Why is it called a "chorus?" Because the audience is supposed to sing along. So, that's your goal: to get your audience to sing along with your song's chorus.
+Why is it called a "chorus?" Because the audience is supposed to sing along.
-The second fundamental to learn is the parts that make up a chorus. Choruses are usually made up of two alternating types of lines:
+Choruses are usually made up of two alternating types of lines:
 === Title Line ===
-“T” represents the title
+T represents the title
 === Swing Line ===
-This is simply a line that is different than the title. The dash “-” represents the swing line.
+A swing line is a lyric that is different from the title. The dash “-” represents the swing line.
 The title line and the swing line can contrast both lyrically and melodically.
-=== Seven Basic Chorus Forms ===
+=== Six Basic Chorus Forms ===
 The most common chorus types are:
-==== [[:category:T T|T T]] ====
+==== [[:category:T T T T|T T T T]] ====
-Ex Girlfriend - No Doubt
-Message in a Bottle - The Police
-How Sweet It Is - M. Gaye
-Better Off Alone - Alice DeeJay
-Rockin' In The Free World - N. Young
-==== [[:category:T - T -|T - T -]] ====
-Genie In a Bottle - C. Aguilera
-I Knew I Loved You - Savage Garden
-I Wanna Dance With Somebody - W. Houston
-Hello Old Friend - E. Clapton
-Victim of Love - Eagles
-Rock & Roll Hoochie Koo - R. Derringer
+* Give Me Everything, Pitbull
+* Just Can't Get Enough, The Black Eyed Peas
+* What's My Name?, Rihanna & Drake
+* Good Life, One Republic
+* Blow, Ke$ha
+* I'm On One, DJ Khaled
+* You Make Me Feel..., Cobra Starship
+* Roll Up, Wiz Khalifa
+* For The First Time, The Script
+* We Found Love, Rihanna
+* Pretty Girl Rock, Keri Hilson
+* Country Girl (Shake It for Me), Luke Bryan
+* Headlines, Drake
+* Rhiannon, Fleetwood Mac
+* Power To The People, John Lennon
+* Born in the USA, Bruce Springsteen
+* Spirits in a Material World, The Police
 ==== [[:category:- T - T|- T - T]] ====
-Material Girl - Madonna
+* Fuck You, Cee Lo Green
+* [[Super Bass, Nicki Minaj]]
-Best of My Love - Eagles
+* Moves Like Jagger, Maroon 5
+* On the Floor, Jennifer Lopez
-Time After Time - C. Lauper
+* Just the Way You Are, Bruno Mars
+* Tonight (I'm Lovin' You), Enrique Iglesias
-==== [[:category:T T T T|T T T T]] ====
+* F**kin', Perfect	P!nk
+* Till the World Ends, Britney Spears
-Rhiannon - Fleetwood Mac
+* We R Who We R, Ke$ha
+* Black and Yellow, Wiz Khalifa
-Power To The People - J. Lennon
+* Just a Dream, Nelly
+* Hold It Against Me, Britney Spears
-Born in the USA - B. Springsteen
+* Back to December, Taylor Swift
+* Remind Me, Brad Paisley
-Spirits in a Material World - The Police
+* In the Dark, Dev
+* Don't Wanna Go Home, Jason Derülo
+* Price Tag, Jessie J
+* She Will, Lil Wayne
+* Material Girl, Madonna
+* Best of My Love, Eagles
+* Time After Time, Cindy Lauper
 ==== [[:category:T - - T|T - - T]] ====
-All I Have To Give - Backstreet Boys
+* Raise Your Glass, P!nk
+* The Lazy Song, Bruno Mars
-How Can We Be Lovers - M. Bolton
+* The Show Goes On, Lupe Fiasco
+* Stereo Hearts, Gym Class Heroes
+* Coming Home, Diddy - Dirty Money & Skylar Grey
+* Only Girl (In the World), Rihanna
+* Just a Kiss, Lady Antebellum
+* More, Usher
+* [[What The Hell, Avril Lavigne]]
+* Don't You Wanna Stay, Jason Aldean
+* Crazy Girl, Eli Young Band
+* Take a Back Road, Rodney Atkins
+* Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not, Thompson Square
+* How Can We Be Lovers, Michael Bolton
 ==== [[:category:- - - T|- - - T]] ====
-My First Night With You - Mya Mya
+* E.T., Katy Perry
+* S&M, Rihanna
-I Shall Be Released - B. Dylan
+* Born This Way, Lady GaGa
+* Down On Me, Jeremih & 50 Cent
-I Want It That Way - Backstreet Boys
+* Lighters, Bad Meets Evil
+* Dynamite, Taio Cruz
-Angel of Mine - Monica
+* I Need a Doctor, Dr. Dre
+* Rocketeer, Far East Movement & Ryan Tedder
-Candy - Mandy Moore
+* Hold It Against Me, Britney Spears
+* Honey Bee, Blake Shelton
-That's The Way It Is - C. Dion
+* Barefoot Blue Jean Night, Jake Owen
+* Animal, Neon Trees
-Separate Lives - P. Collins
+* [[Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers, Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers]]
+* [[The End Of The Innocence, Don Henley]]
-King of Pain - The Police
+* I Shall Be Released, Bob Dylan
+* Don't Think Twice, It's All Right, Bob Dylan
+* Separate Lives, Phil Collins
+* King of Pain, The Police
 ==== [[:category:T - - -|T - - -]] ====
-Sweet Caroline - Neil Diamond
+* Party Rock Anthem, LMFAO
+* [[Firework, Katy Perry]]
+* Grenade, Bruno Mars
+* Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.), Katy Perry
+* Someone Like You, Adele
+* The Time (Dirty Bit), The Black Eyed Peas
+* Hey Baby (Drop It to the Floor), Pitbull
+* Dirt Road Anthem, Jason Aldean
+* Written In The Stars, Tinie Tempah
+* Knee Deep, Zac Brown Band
+* You and Tequila, Kenny Chesney
+* Fortress around Your Heart, Sting
+* Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic, The Police
+* Acadian Driftwood, The Band
+* Stage Fright, The Band
+* [[Good Times, Bad Times, Led Zeppelin]]
+* Sweet Caroline, Neil Diamond
+* I Will Remember You, Sarah McLachlan
+* Fire and Rain, James Taylor
-I Will Remember You - Sarah McLachlan
+==== [[:category:T - T -|T - T -]] ====
-Fire & Rain - James Taylor
+* Pumped Up Kicks, Foster the People
+* The Edge of Glory, Lady GaGa
-Show Me The Meaning - The Backstreet Boys
+* Tonight Tonight, Hot Chelle Rae
+* I Wanna Go, Britney Spears
-Fortress Around Your Heart - Sting
+* Moment 4 Life, Nicki Minaj
+* Motivation, Kelly Rowland
-Everything She Does Is Magic - The Police
+* All Of The Lights, Kanye West
+* Bottoms Up, Trey Songz
+* Life Is A Carnival, The Band
+* Genie In a Bottle, Christina Aguilera
+* I Knew I Loved You, Savage Garden
+* I Wanna Dance With Somebody, Whitney Houston
+* Hello Old Friend, Eric Clapton
+* Victim of Love, Eagles
+* Rock & Roll Hoochie Koo, Rick Derringer
 === Qualities of a Successful Chorus ===
-Here is a collection of tips to help you write successful choruses. Try to make each of these statements true when you listen to your chorus.
+* The title has emphasis.
+* It stands out.
-* The title has emphasis.
-* It stands out.
 * The chorus lyric summarizes or comments on the main idea of the verse/prechorus lyric.
 * It is the emotional high point of the song.
@@ Line 123: / Line 156: @@
 * It is easy to remember.
 * It either fulfills audience expectations or surprises audience expectations.
-* It contrasts the other song sections (Verse, Prechorus, Bridge; if they
+* It contrasts the other song sections (Verse, Prechorus, Bridge; if they exist)
-* exist)
 * It feels different from the other song sections.
-* It has a different idea than verse—Lyrically, melodically, harmonically,
+* It has a different idea than verse—Lyrically, melodically, harmonically, rhythmically.
-* rhythmically.
+* It is developed differently—Lyrically, melodically, harmonically, rhythmically.
-* It is developed differently—Lyrically, melodically, harmonically,
+* It is the arrival point of the song = "This is what I'm talking about", "This is why I'm telling this story."
-* rhythmically.
-* It is the arrival point of the song = "This is what I'm talking about", "This
-* is why I'm telling this story."
 * It gains meaning and interest every time it is repeated.
+* Big ideas in the chorus, small details in the verse.
 You will know you have written a good chorus when:
@@ Line 139: / Line 170: @@
 * I understand the meaning of the lyric and it resonates with my life experience.
 * It feels more intense than the other sections.
-* The listener is singing or humming along (not always out loud, which may be hard to find evidence for, so ask).
+* The listener is singing or humming along (not always out loud).
 * The listener remembers the melody and the lyric long after the song is over.
-*The listener either feels "Ahh, that's what I wanted to hear" or "Wow! Wasn't that interesting? I like it." When the chorus hits, the listener either feels satisfied or surprised but always likes what they hear and feel."
-Give your choruses the test of time. Do you remember them a day later? A week later? A month later? If you don't, how can you make them more memorable?
+[[category:Music]]
 [[category:Songwriting]]
 [[category:Chorus]]
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