CONSTRUCTION OF A SONG
Form
The form, also called the "format," "structure," or "formula," is a song's basic shape or organization. In the '50s and early '60s, there were hardly more than three different chord progressions (formulas) for any kind of rock music. If a song didn't conform to one of them, the odds were heavily against its becoming a hit, so the chord progression formulas perpetuated themselves. The 1-6m-4-5 (eg. C Am F G) progression spawned hundreds of hits like "26 Miles," "Silhouettes," and "Earth Angel."
Those old progressions are familiar enough to make us feel at home with new songs and new artists. They're predictable: the chords, the words and the tunes are different, but the basic shape of the songs is the same, so we can learn them quickly. Some basic forms and variations will continue as they have for many, many years for a simple reason: they work.
People have an unconscious desire for symmetry, and the repetition of rhyme, melody and form satisfies that need. The repetition of form also sets up a degree of predictability that's reassuring and comforting to a listener. It sets up a solid base on which we can create surprises without taking our audience too far into uncharted territory.
The manipulation of form is a very important game to know. Classical musicians learn form as a basic part of their training, and for you, as a popular songwriter, to be able to make conscious choices about form is to be in control of your art. Once you understand the elements of form, what they do and why, you'll be able to challenge yourself to go beyond the familiar as you write your own songs.
Next: Form Components
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