Basic Song Structure
Let’s talk about how we use the previously discussed song components (verses, choruses, bridges, etc) to create song structure or what is sometimes called song form.
Please note: When we discuss Song Structure we assign letters to components. When the letter changes the it indicates that another component is being used.
AAA
The oldest and the most basic song form is the AAA form. This form is often found however not limited to folk music. It only consists of verses with no other components. An AAA song can have any number of verses. Because there’s no chorus, in an AAA song the title or the hook is typically the first or last line of each verse. By doing so the song can be memorable without the usual most memorable component of most songs, the chorus. This is often called a ‘refrain’ which is simply a line that repeats.
Examples of AAA Songs include Bob Dylan’s “All Along the Watchtower”, Jimmy Webb’s “By the Time I Get to Phoenix” and Pete Seeger’s “Turn, Turn, Turn”
AABA
This song form has a long history as well. It consists of a verses, usually at least two, followed by a bridge, and then at least another verse. The pattern can be repeated or varied. The form remains an AABA form as long as only two components are used. It was very popular in the 20th century and continues to be popular today.
Examples of AABA Songs include George Harrison’s “ Something”, Billy Joel’s “Just the Way You Are” and “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow” by Carole King and Gerry Goffin.
VERSE-CHORUS OR ABAB
Aside from the two previously discussed forms, the most popular forms are those that mix up song components. This is often called the Verse-Chorus Form or the ABAB Form even though it often include other components like bridges or intros. Here are some examples and it’s intended to be a complete list.
Also please note that although in the examples given all the songs start with verses, some songs start with choruses or intros. Like almost everything in songwriting there are no hard and fast rules.
Here are some variations of Verse-Chorus or ABAB Form:
ABABAB
This form consists of a verse followed by a chorus repeated any number of times. The advantage of this song form is that your chorus, the most memorable song component, is repeated numerous times. The disadvantage is that the song can become very predictable.
ABABCB
This song form consists of verse, chorus, verse, chorus, bridge, chorus. This form ‘refreshes’ the listener’s ears by adding a third component late in the song, a bridge.
AABABB
This consists of two verses followed by chorus then a verse ending in two choruses.
ABC
This form starts with a verse, followed by a pre-chorus and then a chorus, often repeating the pattern. A good example of this song would be ‘Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds’.
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Jim Bruno's Songwriting Class 