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7 Types of Choruses and How to Write Them

Part I: 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.

The second fundamental to learn is the parts that make up a chorus. Choruses are usually made up of two alternating types of lines:

Title Line

“T” represents the title

Swing Line

This is simply a line that is different than the title. The dash “-” represents the swing line.

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

Part II: Seven Basic Chorus Forms

The most common chorus types are:

TT

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

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

T-T

Material Girl - Madonna

Best of My Love - Eagles

Time After Time - C. Lauper

TTTT

Rhiannon - Fleetwood Mac

Power To The People - J. Lennon

Born in the USA - B. Springsteen

Spirits in a Material World - The Police

T--T

All I Have To Give - Backstreet Boys

How Can We Be Lovers - M. Bolton

--T

My First Night With You - Mya Mya

I Shall Be Released - B. Dylan

I Want It That Way - Backstreet Boys

Angel of Mine - Monica

Candy - Mandy Moore

That's The Way It Is - C. Dion

Separate Lives - P. Collins

King of Pain - The Police

T---

Sweet Caroline - Neil Diamond

I Will Remember You - Sarah McLachlan

Fire & Rain - James Taylor

Show Me The Meaning - The Backstreet Boys

Fortress Around Your Heart - Sting

Everything She Does Is Magic - The Police

Part III: 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 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.

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, which may be hard to find evidence for, so ask).
• 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?

Part V: Wrap Up

What we've covered:

• Chorus fundamentals.
• Seven basic chorus forms.
• The qualities of a successful chorus.
• Tips and tricks for writing memorable choruses.