While writing the lyrics for a song is more like writing poetry, the dynamic should follow some sort of form. Except of course when it doesn’t, being creative is acceptable as long as the writer knows the parts of the song and uses creative license because they choose to intentionally not follow a formula. Pay attention -- numbering is included with the song element definitions. Those numbers will matter when it comes to a formula at the end.
1) Intro - yes, there is an introduction in song dynamics.
You only get one chance at a first impression. Would you start a date without the beginning small talk, get to know you and ease in? That’s exactly what the intro does; it lets your listener get to know you and creates anticipation. The intro tends to be instrumental, but may be spoken word - 2, 4 or 8 bars. Traditionally, it provided a filler between songs on an album. This gave a radio DJ background music to finish speaking - I personally loved even several seconds - it allowed me to start a song, say a few words and then turn up the volume on the music. I could let the listeners feel like the music never stopped while I fit in a required station check, time check or brief intro about the song. We are now in a time of on-demand, so preference in song writing can be to leave it out or keep it short and jump right into the song.
2) Verse - the what
Lyrically the verse tells the story, it starts and makes me want to know more. It continues by giving me the next part and so on until it finishes. Instrumentally, each chorus has both similar sounds with vital changes that accentuate the story being told. In classical music. The verse is the
3) Pre-Chorus - one of the "whens"
Pre - it comes before. A powerful and memorable extension that provides a transition. It can build or fall depending on the mood and contrast created by the narrative and the chorus. Think of it as a series of brief words or notes that can be verbalized by the artist and audience. Maybe a little onomatopoeia or sound words like boom, pop, scree. The chorus is a clue for the listener that they will be hearing something repeated or familiar. It's like a payday, we know it's happening and we are ready.
4) Chorus - the "why"
The chorus gives meaning to the song on repeat, it’s the rhythm of the ocean waves. The song’s hook and the title of the song. The central idea, this is where the emotion of the songwriting shares the meaning of the song. The questions a songwriter considers: What does it all mean anyway? And how do I feel about it? Let me tell you. The answer to the question is the chorus.
5) Post-Chorus - the second "when"
An extension to the rhythm, for those times when the chorus is so good you don’t want it to end. Can I have some “la las,” or maybe a little, “Unh, Unh, Aah!”
6) Bridge - the one hit wonder in the song
the climax, the moment when all senses take over and release. Solo showcases a musician’s talent. While a bridge typically appears once, it is possible that two people in a band are unique from each other and each gets their own. Because a bridge joins the build up to the ending, it will occur in a song at some point between halfway and the three-quarter mark. Song writer’s choice matters as there is more than one way to represent the change, whether it’s a change in key, a significant move forward in the narrative or a contrast to what will be that amazing ending.
7) Outro - the "to what extent"
In the days before smoking became kapu (Hawai’ian for taboo) this would be the cigarette at the end of sex. The outro is what leaves a lasting memory for the listener. Focus on the meaning, repeat the title or pull the listener back in with the hook and make it memorable.
The formula for a song appears as a pattern in many songs. The only way to catch it is to listen closely to songs.
"1, 2, 4, 2, 4, 6, 4, 4, 7 and feel free to add a little 3 and 5 around the 4."
Maybe an intro leading to a repeat of verse and chorus, followed by a bridge, maybe a double chorus repeat with a change in mood which can actually be the outro or lead to a song writer’s choice ending that leaves all of the listeners satisfied.
Ultimately, there is a guideline and there is also creativity.
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