Okay... so here it is... the core of the formula used in most Top 40 music heard on the radio. You ready... here is the SIMPLE formula...
Verse1 - Chorus1 - Verse2 - Chorus2 - Bridge - Chorus3
That's it. Now there are certain variations to this (such as intros, pre-chorus, etc.) that are like attachments to this basic formula. But overall this is the nucleus of great songwriting.
Now let's explain the parts individually, with their function, and you will then be able to hear this formula from this point on when listening to the mainstream radio.
VERSES: Basically, this is where you can tell a story. Sometimes it rhymes, sometimes it doesn't. Depending on the style of music, use your discretion. Overall, this is where you "tell a story"
CHORUS: Alright, this is the part where people slip up. The secret is to make the chorus SIMPLE. This is also known as the "hook". So simple, that by the time you get to the 3rd chorus they already know it. For example, listen to Jack Johnson "Sitting, Waiting, Wishing".. when the chorus hits, you know it and can hum along VERY easily. Another example, Phoenix "1901" when you hear the chorus "Falling, falling, falling, falling", it's SO simple, yet so catchy that people can't help but sing along by the end. And for my third example, how about Sublime "Love is what I got"... the chorus is in the title. Super easy, everybody knows it and its a timeless classic. These are the kinds of songs I would think people try to aspire to write, and they all use the formula.
BRIDGE: Now, here's the other part people overlook. Whether its a guitar solo (or other instrument), or an actual 3rd change in the song, this is a crucial part of the song structure and keeping the flow going. Here's why and the psychology behind it and how when listening to a song the first couple times on the mainstream radio it can capture you. By the time the 2nd chorus is done, the mind is ready for something new. Its already heard 2 verses and 2 choruses, been there done that. If you put another verse that sound like the previous two, the mind could get bored and hit that radio dial, skip track, or if playing live have a bored audience member ready for the song to be over. By putting in a bridge, this entices the mind to keep thinking, it gives the mind to say "hey that's something new" and keeps the listener engaged. Put in a bridge that changes up the song, and you will have a powerful impact.
FINAL CHORUS: After the bridge, you're going to want to go back to that chorus and make it epic. Remember, the chorus should be VERY simple and repeated over and over.
You can even turn on mainstream radio RIGHT NOW and hear the Top 40 songs to through this progression:
Verse1 - Chorus1 - Verse2 - Chorus2 - Bridge - Chorus3
So simple, yet SO good. Listen to these songs to hear more examples. I tried using a wide array of songs to demonstrate the use of formula and how it relates to each other:
John Cougar Mellencamp - Jack & Diane
Seal - Crazy
Otis Redding - Sitting on the Dock of the Bay
Better than Ezra - Good
Filter - Take a Picture
Incubus - Drive
If you don't already own the music, check out YouTube, Itunes, or other sources to check out these examples. But really, you can just check out Top 40 and the top top top songs definitely have that formula. Some indies that come through, such as the screamo category (which is cool if you're into it), screamo doesn't use this formula as much. But then again, if you really want to write songs that stand out through the test of time I would stick with this simple songwriters formula.
Here's an example of a song using the "songwriting formula":
