When I turn on the radio (and I do indeed still turn on the radio), and the song has already started, and it’s in the chorus…I can tell which chorus it is.
It’s easy to tell. You probably can too. You’re flipping through stations and hear a Katy Perry song, or Bruno Mars, or Elton John and you’re bummed because you instantly know it’s the last chorus and the song is almost over.
You “just know”.
But when you really think about it and break it down as a musician, you know that last chorus has the extra harmonies, the high string part, the counter melody, added synths, hand claps, ad libs, more emotion and audible texture, a triangle.
Each chorus builds. That’s partly why we like those songs…each chorus is bigger and better than the last. It builds throughout, so there’s subconscious anticipation and satisfaction happening all the time.
Do your songs do this?
If you want big songs, it might be worth modeling that success.
If someone flipped on your song could they tell what chorus it was?
The truth is it’s not important if the general population knows if they’re listening to the first, second or third chorus when they turn on your song mid-song. That thought probably doesn’t register on most peoples’ radars.
But as an artist, if you want big songs, it might be helpful to consider what happens in (most) big songs.
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I’m always interested in your perspective, whether affirming or dissenting. Continue the conversation anytime: gabethebassplayer@gmail.com