Bridge or Chorus?

[Bob from Brooklyn]

I think it's completely subjective. You can call them whatever you like. A part, B part, yadda yadda. Also I don't think a bridge is necessarily limited to one appearance in a song.

[Mbroady]

Lyrically speaking the bridge is there to add a bit of info that is not stated in the vs and ch. it could be a contrasting idea that helps highlight the purpose of the song or its just a phrase that adds emotional content. It also helps to elevate the listeners interests or keep them engaged. I find the bridge to be the most allusive part of songwriting, especially when what needs to be said is already said in the verse and chorus. Sometimes a bridge is not needed.

[1neeto]

To my understanding, a bridge is a part of the song where the overall melody and even chord progression changes, could even include a key change for added intensity. In fact, the bridge tends to be the most intense part of the song, usually contains the lyrical content that tells the listener the core message of the song.

A chorus is repeated more than once, and contains the main hook, and melody of the song.

[AZLiberty]

And then you have things like Lightfoot's Canadian Railroad Trilogy.

I normally think of it as having at least two separate distinct bridges, but could simply be three separate tunes stitched together and thrown in a blender.

[Jeremy]

Originally Posted by Blueser100

Here is a good explanation of the bridge in modern songwriting, its purposes, structure, etc.

https://iconcollective.edu/what-is-a-bridge-in-a-song/

Some good explanations here.

To me it keeps a song from sounding too same-same. And for me in my writing, provides an opportunity to move the song in a new direction, or turns the meaning of a song on its head and re-imagines or re-contextualizes what came before. Like a plot twist.

[Sir strumalot]

I think these terms can be confusing, because they are used differently in different styles of music. Sometimes you see folk tunes or hymns that are structured verse chorus verse chorus. In show tunes/jazz standards, once over the form is a chorus, and the verse is like an introduction. The bridge in a jazz tune is the contrasting middle section, in classical music it's a section that links two different sections together.

[TheGITM]

What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.

[dnf777]

So, from the video examples, I gather choruses are played on Martin or Gibsons, and bridges are played on Taylors? Or do I have it backwards?

But seriously, the John Denver example is what immediately came to mind here, too. But I liked him better playing his big Guilds…

[Charmed Life Picks]

Here's another brilliant bridge, this time by Warren Zevon, on his lovely ballad, "Keep Me in Heart," from his last album THE WIND. What really ticks me off about this one is it's so beautiful it should be repeated a second time, later in the song. Just stunning.

It starts around 1:50 with, "Hold me in your thoughts...."

[Tyeetime]

What a timely subject. I was just thinking earlier this week about bridges and their usefulness.

Sometimes a bad bridge can weaken a good song.
Some bridges are just instrumental melodies, no lyrics and not a solo. The Stones do this effectively.

[floridapete]

Marmalade's "Reflections Of My Life" have the same chords and timing for both parts. They have two melodies, one for each part. Pretty interesting song.

[Italuke]

Originally Posted by GoPappy

I remember hearing Clapton tell the story of George Harrison playing the bridge part on "Badge." The whole reason the song is named "Badge" is because Clapton said something to Harrison about the "bridge" and Harrison thought he said "badge" because he had never heard of a "bridge".

The Fab Four were more accustomed to the term "middle eight." They certainly knew and used it from day one.

Edit: and actually I believe it was the word scribbled on a sheet of paper rather than verbalized. Couldn't read his writing...

[Jim Comeaux]

OK, I read the posts, I think I understand what was said, but then what is a “refrain”?

[phydaux]

Originally Posted by Jim Comeaux

OK, I read the posts, I think I understand what was said, but then what is a “refrain”?

In a song it's a chorus. In a poem it's a refrain.

[stanron]

In folk music the verse is sung by the performer/s and has different words each time. The chorus has the same words each time and is an opportunity for the audience to sing along. A refrain is a chorus where nobody joins in. (A joke in theory but not always in practice). A Bridge is for singer songwriters who might just be getting too clever by half.