# Song Structure Explained: Verse, Chorus, Bridge

> Song structure explained simply — what a verse, chorus, pre-chorus and bridge do, common song structures, and how to map your song before you write it.

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# Song Structure Explained: Verse, Chorus, Bridge

Updated June 2026 · by Loopin

Great songs almost always follow a structure listeners already feel. Here’s what each part does — and how to map yours before you get lost.

## The building blocks

- **Verse** — tells the story and builds toward the hook. Verses share a melody but change lyrics.

- **Chorus (hook)** — the emotional and melodic peak, usually repeated word-for-word.

- **Pre-chorus** — a short lift that builds tension into the chorus.

- **Bridge** — a contrast section that keeps the song from feeling repetitive.

## Common structures

A few patterns cover most songs: **Verse–Chorus–Verse–Chorus–Bridge–Chorus** (pop), **Intro–Verse–Hook** repeated (hip-hop), or **Verse–Chorus** kept simple. Pick one and don’t overthink it.

## Map it before you write

Lay the sections out first, then fill them in. In [Loopin](/#download) you can sketch the map in the same song as the beat and your takes, so the structure stays attached to the music instead of living in a separate note.

## Let the beat suggest the form

Drops, builds and breakdowns in a beat often mark where your chorus and bridge should go. Loop the beat and let it tell you where the sections change.

## Related reads

- [How to write a song](/blog/how-to-write-a-song-for-beginners)
- [How to write a catchy hook](/blog/how-to-write-a-catchy-hook)
- [From idea to released song](/blog/from-idea-to-released-song-workflow)

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Source: https://onloopin.com/blog/song-structure-explained