When you’re first starting out as a songwriter, one of the best things you can do is get familiar with the common song structures used in contemporary music.
Song structure refers to the way different sections of a song are organized, and having a solid understanding of these structures can give you a great foundation to build from.
In this post, we’re going to break down three of the most common song structures used in popular music today, and I’ll give you an example of a hit song for each one. These examples will help you hear how each structure works in practice, so you can start experimenting with them in your own writing.
1. Verse-Chorus-Verse-Chorus-Bridge-Chorus (A-B-A-B-C-B)
This is probably the most widely used song structure in contemporary music. It’s simple, easy to follow, and incredibly effective. Here’s a breakdown:
Verse (A): This is where you tell your story. Each verse typically offers new lyrics, helping to develop the song's narrative.
Chorus (B): The chorus is the emotional high point of the song, and it usually repeats the same lyrics and melody every time it appears. It’s the part people sing along to and remember.
Bridge (C): The bridge offers contrast, either musically, lyrically, or both. It’s usually a shorter section that adds something fresh before returning to the final chorus.
The structure looks like this: Verse → Chorus → Verse → Chorus → Bridge → Chorus
Example: "Shape of You" by Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran’s 2017 hit Shape of You follows this classic structure. The verses lay out the story of meeting someone at a bar, and the chorus is that catchy hook: “I’m in love with the shape of you.” The bridge introduces a slight change in the melody and rhythm, giving the listener something new before returning to the final chorus.
Why it works: This structure provides a strong balance between storytelling in the verses and a memorable, repetitive hook in the chorus, with just enough variety added by the bridge to keep things interesting.
2. Verse-Chorus-Verse-Chorus (A-B-A-B)
The ABAB structure is another common format, and it’s even simpler than the ABABCB structure. In this version, there’s no bridge — just alternating verses and choruses. The simplicity of this structure lets the chorus really shine, as it’s repeated frequently throughout the song.
Verse (A): As in the previous structure, the verses are where you tell the story.
Chorus (B): The chorus remains the focal point and is repeated multiple times to drive the song’s theme home.
The structure looks like this: Verse → Chorus → Verse → Chorus
Example: "Blinding Lights" by The Weeknd
Blinding Lights, one of the biggest hits of 2020, follows this simpler structure. The song opens with a verse that sets up the story of yearning and heartbreak, then moves into the soaring chorus. The song doesn’t need a bridge to create interest because the driving beat and catchy chorus carry the energy through the song.
Why it works: The ABAB structure is great for songs that have a strong hook and don’t need a lot of extra narrative or musical sections to keep the listener engaged. It's perfect for keeping a song tight and to the point.
3. Verse-Pre-Chorus-Chorus (A-B-C-A-B-C)
A lot of pop songs today use this structure, which adds a pre-chorus between the verse and chorus to build anticipation. The pre-chorus typically features different lyrics and a different melody from both the verse and the chorus, and it helps to create tension before the big payoff in the chorus.
Verse (A): The verses introduce the story.
Pre-Chorus (B): The pre-chorus builds momentum and leads into the chorus. It often uses repeated lines or a rising melody to increase excitement.
Chorus (C): As always, the chorus is the emotional or thematic centerpiece of the song.
The structure looks like this: Verse → Pre-Chorus → Chorus → Verse → Pre-Chorus → Chorus
Example: "Levitating" by Dua Lipa
Dua Lipa’s Levitating (2020) is a great example of this structure. The verses tell a story of falling for someone, the pre-chorus (“You want me, I want you, baby…”) builds excitement, and then the chorus delivers the fun, upbeat payoff. The repetition of the pre-chorus gives the song momentum, and the chorus feels even more impactful because of the build-up.
Why it works: Adding a pre-chorus can help break up the song and keep listeners engaged, especially when there’s a noticeable rise in energy or intensity. It also gives songwriters a chance to include an extra melodic or lyrical idea before hitting the chorus.
How to Use These Structures in Your Own Writing
So how do you know which structure to use when you’re writing a song? The best way to figure this out is to experiment. Try using the ABABCB structure if your song feels like it needs a bit more variety, or go with ABAB if you want something more straightforward. If you’re writing a pop song and want to build up tension, a pre-chorus might be exactly what you need.
Here are a few things to try out as you play around with these structures:
Start with the chorus: Sometimes, writing your chorus first can help guide the rest of the song. Once you have your main hook, you can work backward to create the verses and other sections.
Use contrast: If your verse is slow and laid-back, try making your chorus more energetic to create contrast. This helps make each section stand out.
Don’t be afraid to change it up: These structures are just guidelines. Many successful songs tweak or blend these formats to fit their message and mood. The key is to experiment until you find something that feels right for your song.
Final Thoughts
Understanding song structure is like learning the rules of a game: once you know them, you can start bending them to create something unique. These three common structures — ABABCB, ABAB, and ABCABC — are fantastic starting points for any beginner songwriter. Try them out, listen to the examples I mentioned, and see which one works best for your songwriting style.
And remember, the best way to learn is by doing. So grab your guitar, sit at your piano, or open up your favorite DAW, and start crafting your next hit!
