Bridge Ideas that Work
In songcraft, a bridge is a distinct musical section that provides contrast to the main themes of a song, typically situated between two choruses. The bridge serves as a transitional passage, introducing new elements that temporarily deviate from the established chord progressions, melodies, or rhythms. Its primary purpose is to add variety, build tension, and offer a refreshing break from the repetition of verses and choruses. So then, what are strategies you can employ to make your bridges work?
Lyrical Distinctinction: Often, the lyrics in the bridge differ from those in the rest of the song. They may provide a different perspective, introduce new themes, or offer a resolution to the song's narrative. We can see this approach in the bridge of Caroline Polacheck’s “So Hot You’re Hurting My Feelings.” Throughout the verses and chorus Polacheck is pining for a long distance lover when she hears “their song” at the club.” It’s about loneliness and yearning. And then, BAM, in the chorus she hits the audience with a lewd, surrealist diversion with a repetitive chant: “Show me your banana.”
Harmonic Departure: Bridges frequently involve a change in harmonic progression, providing a sense of movement or tension that is resolved as the song progresses. We can hear this in Beyoncé’s “Love on Top” in which the singer goes through four key modulations until the end of the song. This builds tension and is an incredible vocal feat. Only by leaving the original key and exploring new ones does this song reach its full potential.
Spoken Word: For pop songs, diverting from singing to spoken word can have great impact. We hear this in Britney Spear’s “Oops…I Did It Again.” When we enter the bridge we are transported to a completely new world where Britney and a nameless flame discuss a ring dropped on the titanic. Its a bit of reprieve—sonically and stylistically—and a bit of humor wrapped up all in one.
Instrumentation Changes: The bridge often incorporates changes in instrumentation, with different instruments taking the spotlight or altered arrangements to heighten the impact. We can see this in Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep” where the track drops down to a simple stop and clap rhythm, which then is re-layered with background vocals. This percussion departure from the 4 on the floor kick drum creates a sense of newness that reengages the audience.
Builds Tension: The bridge is strategically placed to build tension before returning to the final chorus, creating a sense of anticipation and adding emotional depth to the song. We can hear this in The Beach Boy’s “Good Vibrations,” when, around the 1:40 mark we are taken on a whacky musical ride through the brain of Brian Wilson. Almost everything about the song changes until we are dropped once again into that banger of a chorus
