The final piece of our songwriting journey takes us to the bridge (which is also known as the middle 8).
So what is a bridge?
A bridge is a few bars of music that is normally present after the 2nd chorus, before the 3rd (and sometimes 4th). It provides contrast to the rest of the piece and sometimes is intended to change the mood.
It is also a fantastic opportunity for lyricists to show off, creating a section different to the rest of their piece, yet still in fitting with the rest of the song.
Musically, the bridge has a different melody to the verse, chorus and pre-chorus. Despite this, it has the rather difficult job of taking us away and bringing us back to the chorus (as songs don’t end on the bridge). Like a real bridge, it connects the choruses together.
Having 3 choruses in a row can get a little repetitive, right?
The bridge breaks this up, providing interest and variation, making the song all the more exciting.
Examples of Bridges
Sometimes bridges can be very simple, existing only to break up the repetitiveness of repeating choruses.
Demons- The Wanted
As a teen, I wasn’t a One Direction girl, I was 100% a fan of The Wanted. During lockdown I’ve been reminiscing these times, jamming out to boyband perfection and came across this bridge that is the perfect example of simplicity, yet functionality.
Below are the lyrics of the choruses before and after the bridge, with the bridge in bold italics.
All my life, I’ve played like a winner
Now all I see looking back in the mirror
Demons in my head
The demons in my head, oh oh
All this time, the saint was a sinner
The jokes on me, a stone cold killer
Demons in my head
The demons in my head, oh oh
All this time,
I said all these time
All this time
All this time
All this time
All this time
I said all this time
All this time
All this time
All this time
All my life, I’ve played like a winner
Now all I see looking back in the mirror
Demons in my head
The demons in my head, oh oh
All this time, the saint was a sinner
The jokes on me, a stone cold killer
Demons in my head
The demons in my head, oh oh
As you can see, the bridge is essentially 3 words, repeated, a lot. (Ok there’s 5 words but still). But it’s not just that, ‘all this time‘ is present in the chorus. This simple bridge has a different melody but reference the lyrics in the chorus, creating the link between the two.
Summertime Sadness- Lana Del Rey
Queen Lana creates a beautiful bridge in this song, adding an extra layer of emotion to the lyrics.
I got that summertime, summertime sadness
S-s-summertime, summertime sadness
Got that summertime, summertime sadness
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Think I’ll miss you forever
Like the stars miss the sun in the morning sky
Later’s better than never
Even if you’re gone I’m gonna drive (drive, drive)
I got that summertime, summertime sadness
S-s-summertime, summertime sadness
Got that summertime, summertime sadness
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
The bridge links the choruses beautifully, with a differing melody that still fits in fantastically.
Her voice becomes higher pitched- more like head voice style, and this created an extra layer of contrast between the bridge and the rest of the song
Do you enjoy writing bridges? Let me know and leave a comment down below!
And hey, thanks!!!
The Artemis Project 