10 Examples of a Bridge in a Song
Are you a budding songwriter and unsure how to link different sections in a track? Where does the bridge in a song go and what are some examples?
It can be helpful to look at some examples of a bridge in a song. The ‘bridge’ is a handy piece of song structure that is commonly seen in contemporary music. It provides contrast and enables the writer to segue between segments like a verse and chorus.
Read on to see and hear some cases in point, showing exactly how you too can use a musical bridge.
Examples of a bridge in a song
When you think of song structure, the verse, chorus and possibly hook, will likely be the components that first jump to mind. But the bridge is another element frequently used in creating great tracks. It’ll stand out from the rest of the song, either because the pace, key or melody (or all three) has altered. The term began to be used in the UK in the 1930s, having been coined in the United States. It defined a transitional section in a song
Even if you’re not a songwriter, as an artist, it’s important to understand the various terms used in music. If you’re rehearsing or recording and you’re asked to ‘take it from the bridge’, you need to know what this means. By providing examples of a bridge in a song, you can listen and learn to recognise what it sounds like. You may also hear a pre-chorus. We won’t be covering these in this article, but you can read more detail about song structure here.
What part of a song is the bridge?
The bridge doesn’t have a set place in a song. However, it often goes in between the verse and the chorus, or between a solo and the chorus or verse. And it frequently appears later on in the song, to break it up and create momentum before the final chorus. It may repeat in the song, or draw on elements of its other components. Many writers create their music instinctively. In these cases, you’ll find compositions are more complex and varied, with bridges popping up in unusual places.
What is the function of a bridge in a song?
The bridge provides a change. This may be in terms of lyrics and/or the instrumental. The pace and melody will change too. It’s very much like the breakdown, a structural tool often found in dance music. A breakdown is where everything is simplified and paired back, often with the vocals, beat or melody removed. Like the bridge, it may also serve as a segue into another section (hence the confusion). The two may be combined at times, or the bridge may be repeated as a breakdown. Keep reading for a clever example of this further along in the article.
Verse-chorus-bridge song examples
Now let’s take a deep dive into some examples of a bridge in a song. The verse, chorus bridge is the most familiar format for mainstream pop, so we’ll begin with this.
Strong by Robbie Williams
In this song, Robbie uses a bridge to change tempo and rhythm, and to incorporate a reflective lyrical theme, diversifying from the more repetitive chorus.
If I did it all again I’d be a nun
The rain was never cold when I was young
I’m still young, we’re still young
Life’s too short to be afraid
Step inside the sun
Take Me Home Country Roads by John Denver
This classic follows a typical format with the bridge coming before the final chorus.
I hear her voice in the morning hour she calls me
The radio reminds me of my home far away
Driving down the road I get a feeling
That I should have been home yesterday, yesterday
Physical by Dua Lipa
This recent pop hit uses elements of the chorus in its bridge.
Hold on just a little tighter
Come on, hold on, tell me if you’re ready
Come on (Come on, come on)
Baby, keep on dancing
Let’s get physical
Hold on just a little tighter
Come on, hold on, tell me if you’re ready
Come on (Come on, come on)
Baby, keep on dancing
Let’s get physical
Kiss by Prince
In this bridge, coming after the second verse and chorus, prince incorporates a dance section. This bridge sounds almost improvised and is less easy to identify as a bridge.
Yes, oh, I think I wanna dance, uh
Gotta, gotta, oh
Little Girl Wendy’s Parade
Gotta, gotta, gotta
400;”>
Songs with obvious bridges
Take Me to Church by Hozier
This sultry hit contains a rich lyrical bridge prior to the final repeat of the chorus.
No masters or kings when the ritual begins
There is no sweeter innocence than our gentle sin
In the madness and soil of that sad earthly scene
Only then I am human
Only then I am clean
I Kissed a Girl by Katy Perry
Katy is fond of bridges and standardised formats in her pop numbers. This mega-hit put her on the international music map and contains a simple part speak-sing bridge.
Us girls, we are so magical
Soft skin, red lips, so kissable
Hard to resist, so touchable
Too good to deny it
Ain’t no big deal, it’s innocent
In Da Club by 50 Cent
You won’t find bridges anywhere near as much in rap as in pop or even R&B. When they do appear, they may be after a verse then hook, with an accompanying key change. Here’s an example from 50 cent.
My flow, my show brought me the dough
That bought me all my fancy things
My crib, my cars, my pools, my jewels
River by Eminem featuring Ed Sheeran
Here’s another rap tune with a string melodic influence and a bridge. This one appears after the third chorus and deviates slightly from the norm, in that the song begins with a chorus. So it it a chorus-verse-chorus-verse-chorus-bridge-verse-chorus. And the bridge is followed by a verse instead of a chorus.
My name’s (ooh), my name’s (ooh)
River (ooh), river run
Call me (ooh), call me (ooh)
River (ooh), we’ll let the river run
Fix You by Cold Play
Proving that bridges aren’t just for high octane pop numbers, this ballad lament follows a very simple verse-chorus-bridge structure, to great effect. It’s also made more impactful, as the only part of the song where all four band members sing.
Tears stream down your face
I promise you I will learn from my mistakes
Tears stream down your face
And I
Can a song have two bridges?
Yes, it’s possible. But it’s not usual. They’re usually found in extensive epic tunes. Lady Gaga is the queen of multiple bridges and often favours complex, detailed songs with quirky elements. Here are a couple of her tunes that have more than one bridge.
Born this Way by Lady Gaga
Before the second verse and before the final chorus. There’s a lot going on here. The song also features an intro, outro and a breakdown version of the first bridge.
Don’t be a drag, just be a queen
Don’t be a drag, just be a queen
Don’t be a drag, just be a queen
Don’t be (Don’t be, don’t be)
No matter gay, straight, or bi
Lesbian, transgender life
I’m on the right track, baby
I was born to survive
No matter black, white, or beige
Chola or orient made
I’m on the right track, baby
I was born to be brave!
Bad Romance by Lady Gaga
In this track, Gaga levers not one, but two bridges consecutively. They’re different from one another, so classified as two different bridges, rather than the same bridge repeated. They’re inserted before the final chorus. For another Lady Gaga song with two bridges, have a listen to Judas and see if you can identify where they appear.
Walk, walk, fashion, baby
Work it, move that bitch crazy
Walk, walk, fashion, baby
Work it, move that bitch crazy
Walk, walk, fashion, baby
Work it, move that bitch crazy
Walk, walk, passion, baby
Work it, I’m a free bitch, baby
I want your love, and I want your revenge
I want your love, I don’t wanna be friends
Je veux ton amour et je veux ta revanche
Je veux ton amour, I don’t wanna be friends (Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh)
(I want you back) No, I don’t wanna be friends
(Caught in a bad romance) I don’t wanna be friends
Want your bad romance
(Caught in a bad romance) Want your bad romance
Happy by Pharrell Williams
Pharrell used his bridge a total of three times in one song. But unlike Bad Romance, it is the same bridge, just repeated:
Bring me down,
Can’t nothing,
Bring me down,
My level’s too high,
Bring me down,
Can’t nothing,
Bring me down, I said.
Good Old Fashioned Lover Boy by Queen
Whether this song contains one or two bridges is debatable. There is a clear segue section in this perky, playful and very skilful song. It’s in two parts but runs together. As the two parts differ in tempo, it’s more likely that this classifies as two bridges.
When I’m not with you
I think of you always
(I miss those long hot summer nights) I miss you
When I’m not with you
Think of me always
Love you, love you
Hey boy where do you get it from
Hey boy where did you go?
I learned my passion in the good old fashioned school of loverboys
How to write the bridge of a song
Hopefully, these 10 examples of a bridge in a song have provided some inspiration to create your own. If not, or if you’re struggling to identify what exactly changed in them, here are some ideas for penning your own.
- Experiment with a new chord progression, from minor to major or vice versa
- Try playing with the melody but taking into flats or sharps
- Change the key – ideally upwards if you want to build a sense of drama
- Slow it down or speed it up
- Write some new lyrics in a different tone to the rest of the song
- End your bridge with an ‘open’ chord, (as opposed to a tonic chord). This gives the sense of leading the listener into something else, rather than closing off the segment. A bridge is, after all, a way to lead into more of the song, not an ending
The parts of a song
If you plan to write a song, it’s worth learning more about the various parts. You don’t have to follow the rules, but it helps to know them if you want to break them. Understanding the various parts of a song can also aid in structuring and knowing what might work next if you’re stuck. Many major pop hits have followed a standard, winning structure.
What is the middle 8 in a song?
A bridge will usually by four to eight bars in length. A middle 8 is a kind of bridge but has some specifics. As the name would suggest, it comes in the middle of a song and is made up of 8 bars.
Now it’s over to you. Try writing your own bridge and see how you get on. Or if you’re a singer, see if you can pick out the bridges in some of your favourite artists’ songs.
Related Questions
- Can you end a song with a bridge?
By nature, a bridge joins one section with another, so it would be very odd to end with a bridge. The song would feel unfinished. Similarly, a song cannot begin with a bridge section. If this seems confusing it’s worth learning a little about song structure before writing your own music.
- What does outro mean in music?
This is a section at the very end of a song to play it out. It may be used instead of a fade, or a sudden ending, or as a fade-out. It often comprises a repetitive lyric. An intro is the same but at the top of the song. An intro and outro could be a spoken section, or purely instrumental.
- What are the 5 basic elements of music?
The elements of music or song are melody, harmony, rhythm, texture and form. Texture refers to how the speed, melody and harmonies combine, while the form is the structure of a musical composition. The standard form is strophic, but it may also be rondo, arch ternary, binary, arch or sonata.
What are your favourite examples of a bridge in a song? Perhaps you’ve created your own. Let us know and share your links in the comments section below.
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