As a singer-songwriter who dares dream to be a songwriter, I recently realized that I need to treat the humble chorus with more respect. In some of my songs, the chorus lyrics change with each refrain. I hear it in other people's songs, too.
Occasionally, this "evolving chorus" technique actually advances the song's story line, but more often than not, I worry that it sounds like the songwriter was trying too hard to be clever. Or worse, he simply couldn't decide on a which chorus was best.
Audiences love a good chorus, that's why so many songs have one. It gives a sense of familiarity to a song even when hearing it for the first time. Changing a line or two (or even a word or two) with each refrain deprives the listener of that feeling.
Not every song needs a chorus, and not every song needs a consistent chorus, but I feel that I may have overused the evolving chorus approach. With that in mind, I'm revisiting some old songs with fresh ears, and in songs to come, I'll try to give each chorus the respect it deserves.
Occasionally, this "evolving chorus" technique actually advances the song's story line, but more often than not, I worry that it sounds like the songwriter was trying too hard to be clever. Or worse, he simply couldn't decide on a which chorus was best.
Audiences love a good chorus, that's why so many songs have one. It gives a sense of familiarity to a song even when hearing it for the first time. Changing a line or two (or even a word or two) with each refrain deprives the listener of that feeling.
Not every song needs a chorus, and not every song needs a consistent chorus, but I feel that I may have overused the evolving chorus approach. With that in mind, I'm revisiting some old songs with fresh ears, and in songs to come, I'll try to give each chorus the respect it deserves.
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