Pop Song Structure

Musical "Form"

Pop songs can be broken down into different sections. Usually, those sections follow the same order and structure. The structure of a song is called "form". Watch the video to understand the different elements of a song, and the form of most pop songs.

Try to define these terms as you watch the video:

  • Verse
  • Pre-Chorus
  • Chorus
  • Bridge

Pop Song Form:

Most pop songs follow the same form:

  • Verse 1 - tells the story of the song, not very loud
  • Pre-chorus - building section, gets louder, prepares listener for the chorus
  • Chorus - the most important part of the song, the loudest section, often includes the song's name
  • Verse 2
  • Pre-chorus
  • Chorus
  • Bridge - different section that "bridges" to the final chorus
  • Chorus

"Stitches" Form

Listen to Stitches by Shawn Mendes. Follow along on the slides to see how this song follows the typical pop song form (structure).

Stitches Structure

Today's Assignment:

Choose a pop song from the list below. Look at the words and listen to it (with headphones in) if you need to. Analyze the form of the song, and separate the verses, pre-choruses, chorus, bridge, and paste them into the Microsoft Form.

Choose from:

  • Shape of You - Ed Sheeran
  • Back to You - Selena Gomez
  • Eastside - Benny Blanco
  • Never be the Same - Camila Cabello
  • No Excuses - Meghan Trainor