Song form - Chorus with Yeo
In this video...
Yeo talks about writing chorus lyrics, and how repetition helps make a chorus catchy and memorable.
Yeo uses the example The One That Got Away, by Al Parkinson.
Songs with repetition in the chorus
Make your chorus stand out
A chorus usually has a fuller texture than the verse to help it stand out.
Here are three easy ways to make your chorus stand out:
CHORUS TECHNIQUE
A change in instrumentation
A chorus usually has more instruments than a verse. If your verse has all the instruments playing, try cutting back to just drums, bass, and vocals. Then bring in other instruments in the chorus to make it sound bigger.
You can also simplify what each instrument plays in the verse — like single notes instead of chords, or just the bass drum instead of the full drum kit — to create space for the chorus.
CHORUS TECHNIQUE
A change in tone colour
Changing the tone of your instruments can make the chorus feel fuller. Try adding more bass (common in EDM) or using distortion to give it extra energy.
In this clip, Ocean Grove increase both the tone colour and instrumentation in the chorus to help it stand out.
CHORUS TECHNIQUE
A change in melody or vocal style
Make your chorus stand out by singing differently than in the verse. If the verse uses low notes, try a higher melody in the chorus. If the verse uses short, choppy notes, switch to longer, smoother ones in the chorus.
In this clip from Snake Valley, the chorus uses longer, flowing lines that contrast with the short, sharp melody of the verse.
Group activity - Write a CHorus
Paul Kelly once introduced his song ‘How to Make Gravy’ by saying “this song doesn’t have a chorus, but it does have a recipe for gravy”.
As a group write a chorus for the song.
Think about:
- What words, lines or phrases could be repeated to reinforce the song’s emotional message?
- How might you change the instrumentation, tone color and/or melody in the chorus to help it stand out?
- Will you keep using the same chords as the verses, or come up with a new chord progression?
