HOW TO WRITE A SONG BRIDGE

There is no correct way to write a song bridge and some songs don’t even need one.  Defined as a path to travel from one place to another, the way to write a song bridge varies with the type of song you are writing, including content and story line. 

At times there needs to be a break in the melody and lyric line and a song bridge inserted gives not only interest but a nice way to segue way from the chorus to either another chorus or verse or some other combination of the song, creating interest and character.

Listen to a favorite song of yours and discern whether or not there is a song bridge included.  If you hear only verse, chorus, verse, chorus repeated, there is not a song bridge.  However, if you hear verse, chorus, verse, chorus and a different line and melody followed by another verse, chorus, or something of the sort, there is a song bridge.  What makes it interesting?  Does it work?  Does it please the ear?

Most songwriters become comfortable with creating a song bridge after they have written for a while.  The art of good songwriting comes with a lot of practice and exposure and if you are a beginning songwriter it is perfectly fine to omit a song bridge from your work.  When you are ready the muse will let you know.  Keep in mind whether or not you think the song will be monotonous without a break, whether or not you have a good chord structure that you can build on, whether or not it is easy to sing and if it creates a good segue way into the end of the song.  Keep your song “hook” in mind and include part of it in the song bridge if you can.  This will make a neat and tidy way to wrap up your song and will create one that people will find catchy and easy to remember. 

Rule Number 1:  Listen to lots of music – not just one genre, but many.  Every songwriter will approach the song bridge differently and you can learn much from listening and paying attention.  Good luck!