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Verse–chorus form

Verse–chorus form is a musical form going back to the 1840s, in such songs as "Oh! Susanna", "The Daring Young Man on the Flying Trapeze", and many others.[1][2] It became passé in the early 1900s, with advent of the AABA (with verse) form in the Tin Pan Alley days.[3][4] It became commonly used in blues and rock and roll in the 1950s,[5] and predominant in rock music since the 1960s. In contrast to 32-bar form, which is focused on the refrain (contrasted and prepared by the B section), in verse–chorus form the chorus is highlighted (prepared and contrasted with the verse).[6]

The chorus often sharply contrasts the verse melodically, rhythmically, and harmonically, and assumes a higher level of dynamics and activity, often with added instrumentation. This is referred to as a "breakout chorus".[7] See: arrangement.

"" by Buddy Holly (1957)[8]

That'll Be the Day

"" by The Ronettes (1963)[8]

Be My Baby

"" by The Beach Boys (1965)[8]

California Girls

"" and "All You Need Is Love" by The Beatles (1967)[8]

Penny Lane

"" by Jimi Hendrix (1967)[8]

Foxy Lady

"" by Deep Purple (1973)[8]

Smoke on the Water

"" by Bad Company (1974)[8]

Can't Get Enough

"" and "Sexy! No No No..." by Girls Aloud (2005 and 2007)

Biology

"" by Rise Against (2009)

Prayer of the Refugee

Songs that use different music for the verse and chorus are in contrasting verse–chorus form. Examples include:

"" by Big Joe Turner (1954)[8]

Shake, Rattle, and Roll

"" by The Kingsmen (1963 cover), example not using blues form[8]

Louie, Louie

"" by Ritchie Valens (1959)[8]

La Bamba

Songs that use the same harmony (chords) for the verse and chorus, such as the twelve bar blues, though the melody is different and the lyrics feature different verses and a repeated chorus, are in simple verse–chorus form. Examples include:

"" by Santana (1969)[8]

Evil Ways

-based songs which are not simple verse–chorus form (above), such as "Heartbreak Hotel", "Jailhouse Rock", "Hound Dog", and "Lucille"[8]

Blues

Songs which feature only a repeated verse are in simple verse form (verse–chorus form without the chorus). Examples include:


and with a contrasting bridge:


Both simple verse–chorus form and simple verse form are strophic forms.

Song structure