Ok, so I'm working on this new song, and it feels done, but there's no bridge.
How important are bridges, really? I know sometimes they're fab, but most of the time they feel contrived- the necessary "C" to augment the "A" and "B".
Is it ok to just not mess with them? Simplistic songwriters want to know...
3 comments:
In the song I just finished, Jesus and John Lennon, I wrote a bridge out of obligation. It fit. It was relevant to the song. It seemed that it should be there.
But it's not.
In today's "popular" music, bridges are a must. If that's your goal, then you should include one. If you're writing for other reasons, then follow your gut.
Another song I wrote a few years ago called An Irish Love Song is just a series of five verses in a row.
In the end, you will know when the song feels "finished" (structurally, at least).
Looking foward to hearing it.
John
I agree that if you are planning on putting the song forth to a record label or publisher, it should most likely have a bridge, as almost every popular song today has at least something resembling a bridge.
On the other hand, one of the songs that my band performs is comprised of three verses and never repeats a phrase...though there is a little instrumental hook part. That's it. Three verses. No chorus and no bridge. It's one of our most requested/liked songs by those who come and see us.
All that to say, breaking out of the verse - chorus - verse - chorus - bridge - chorus mold is a good thing. That's the beauty of this blog. You can do whatever you want, and as long as it feels true to your song, you should do it.
"If it ain't broken, don't go fixin' it!"
Bridges are funny business, aren't they? IMO, you need to work at trying to find one, if there is at all a hint of a though that you could use one. Mayhap my view isn't representative of the general listening public, but without question, when I hear most songs that are A B A B A B out, or something like that, I'm thoroughly disappointed and suspicious of how much effort was put into the song itself. Is that a conditioned response? Perhaps. Are there songs that are perfect without? Definitely. Guess I'm just saying that without a bridge, I'm more inclined to dismiss a song than with. I think we need to consider that a bridge really adds a 3rd dimension/voice/theme to a song, gives the writer another palette to paint with, if only for a moment, and if it's done well, it can really add BANG to the rest of the song as it resolves into the last verse/chorus/outro.
Heh...in summary, I think every songwriter ought to try really hard to find that bridge, and only after really really trying (because they can be elusive), should you then consider that maybe verse/chorus is all the song requires.
Awesome blog everyone! Thanks very much!
Rob
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