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As most of you probably know, songs are generally composed of several verses (known as the A sections), a repeating chorus (known as the B section) and often a bridge (known as the C section). In this way, the most common formula for a song is A-A-B-A-B-C-B, or some variation thereof. In fact, if you know the song by Genesis called “Abacab,” the name is derived from the original structure of the song.
This A-B-A-C-A-B structure isn’t something unique to pop music. The idea of a returning chorus, or ritornello, was very popular in the Baroque period where the rondo structure was born. A typical Baroque rondo went A-B-A-C-A-D-A. The A section in this structure is what we’d call the B section in pop music: a refrain or chorus that returns again and again.
Despite the overwhelmingly popular A-A-B-A-B-C-B structure of modern popular songs, there are some well-known tunes that start off with the B section, or the chorus. Nothing like getting right to the most memorable section, right?
Here are 6 that I could think of. What others do you guys know? Let’s get a nice list going. Show off your smarts time!
Journey - “Any Way You Want It”
Simon & Garfunkel - “Mrs. Robinson”
Kansas - “Carry On Wayward Son”
Beatles - “She Loves You”
Guns & Roses - “Paradise City” (thanks Miss C!)
Madonna - “Get Into the Groove”
Check out past On Music posts here >>
Comments (64)
Comment
Aerosmith - “Sweet Emotion” … and two songs by the Foundations: “Build Me Up Buttercup” and “Baby, Now That I’ve Found You”
posted by Erik on 5-14-2008 at 9:19 am
Blinded By the Light… Manfred Mann version only, not the Springsteen version.
posted by The Nose on 5-14-2008 at 9:22 am
Ok, so these were a couple I had in my iTunes:
One Week by Barenaked Ladies
Brickhouse by the Commodores
I’m drawing a blank on thinking of others, though.
posted by Melissa on 5-14-2008 at 9:27 am
“Dream Lover” by Mariah Carey
“Motown Philly” by Boyz II Men
posted by Melanie on 5-14-2008 at 9:38 am
Rolling Stones,
“You Can’t Always Get What You Want”
posted by bre on 5-14-2008 at 9:38 am
When a Man Loves a Woman - Michael Bolton (haha)… Percy Sledge
Unchained Melody - Righteous Brothers
You Give Love a Bad Name - Bon Jovi
Take a Chance on Me - Abba
We’ve Only Just Begun - The Carpenters
No Regrets - Edith Piaf
Rocksteady - The Marvels (the whole song appears to consist of only the chorus)
Tired of Being Alone - Al Green
posted by SNathan on 5-14-2008 at 9:41 am
Can’t Buy Me Love - The Beatles
posted by Ginger on 5-14-2008 at 9:45 am
“Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now” by McFadden and Whitehead.
posted by Jim on 5-14-2008 at 9:50 am
Chumbawumba - Tubthumping
Classic.
posted by Ellen on 5-14-2008 at 9:54 am
Several songs by Dean Martin start with a one line intro of the chorus.
posted by Brian on 5-14-2008 at 10:00 am
One More Night - Phil Collins
Don’t Pull Your Love - Hamilton, Joe Frank & Reynolds
Take This Job and Shove It - Johnny Paycheck
posted by Shane on 5-14-2008 at 10:03 am
How about:
Wishmaster - Nightwish
Here Comes the Sun - The Beatles
Blue Suede Shoes - Elvis Presley
posted by Ashley on 5-14-2008 at 10:10 am
Chain of Fools - Aretha Franklin
posted by Erik on 5-14-2008 at 10:11 am
I can’t believe no one has said
“Mr. Tambourine Man” by Bob Dylan!
posted by Jenny on 5-14-2008 at 10:13 am
Moon River - Andy Williams
Bad Moon Rising - CCR
Rehab - Amy Winehouse
Beat on the Brat - The Ramones
Monday, Monday - The Mamas & The Papas
My Love - Petula Clark
Where the Boys Are - Connie Francis
Crazy Little Thing Called Love - Queen
posted by Tapas on 5-14-2008 at 10:20 am
I Shot the Sheriff - Marley/Clapton
Amarillo By Morning - George Strait
My Prerogative - Bobby Brown
Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’ - Michael Jackson
posted by Shane on 5-14-2008 at 10:27 am
also:
“Who Killed Davey Moore?” by Bob Dylan/others
posted by Jenny on 5-14-2008 at 10:32 am
How Long - Hinder
I Want it All - Queen
posted by Jack P. on 5-14-2008 at 10:32 am
“Lay Down (Candles in the Rain)” by Melanie
posted by Clotho on 5-14-2008 at 10:42 am
this has turned into an obesession
“How Long do I have to Wait for You” Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings, “I Shot the Sheriff” Bob Marley, “I Don’t Know How to Love Him” from Jesus Christ Superstar, “There’s No Business Like Show Business” from Annie Get Your Gun, “Lay Me Down Sweet Jesus” Justin Rutledge, “Just One Look” The Hollies, “Delta Dawn” “I am Woman” Helen Reddy, “Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head” BJ Thomas
posted by Snathan on 5-14-2008 at 10:47 am
The Time of My Life - Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes
posted by Ira on 5-14-2008 at 10:58 am
“Superstar” by Lupe Fiasco
posted by Brett on 5-14-2008 at 11:07 am
“If I Could Turn Back Time” by Cher. One of my faves to do at karaoke. :)
posted by Krie on 5-14-2008 at 11:29 am
“Lies” by the Knickerbockers, for one.
posted by Smed on 5-14-2008 at 11:38 am
Renegade - Styx
Yesterday - Beatles
If You’re Gonna Play In Texas - Alabama
Indian Outlaw - Tim McGraw
There are more on the tip of my tongue, I just can’t get them out right now
posted by Brad on 5-14-2008 at 11:55 am
“lake of fire” by the Meat Puppets
posted by justin on 5-14-2008 at 12:05 pm
Louie Louie
posted by MrDogman on 5-14-2008 at 12:13 pm
You Were on My Mind, We Five
Tommy Roe’s “Hooray for Hazel”, “Dizzy” and “Sweet Pea”
By the Time I get to Phoenix, Glen Campbell
I will remember you, Sarah McLachlan
Lovely 2 C U, Goldfrapp
Cherish, The Association
Sunshine, Jonathan Edwards
We are at work, bored.
posted by Snathan on 5-14-2008 at 12:24 pm
Monkey Man-The Specials
Clash City Rockers-Clash
posted by Mr Dogman on 5-14-2008 at 12:31 pm
“We Built This City” by Starship
posted by Eli on 5-14-2008 at 12:36 pm
Champion - Kanye West
posted by Allie on 5-14-2008 at 12:58 pm
It would be so nice - Pink Floyd
posted by Brian on 5-14-2008 at 1:08 pm
Dancing Queen - Abba
posted by Jerad on 5-14-2008 at 1:21 pm
“Free & Easy (Down the road I go)” - Dierks Bentley
“Low” - Flo Rida
posted by Mike James on 5-14-2008 at 1:39 pm
This is an awesome topic. Here’s are some that I don’t think are repeats (I tried to put some obscure ones in there):
I’m Alright - Kenny Loggins; I love New York City - Andrew WK; I Get Around - Beach Boys; A Hard Day’s Night - Beatles; Cradle of Love - Billy Idol; I want you to want me - Cheap Trick; I Can’t Get No Satisfaction - Stones/Devo; Say You Will - Foriegner;
You Talk too Much - George Thorogood; Into Your Arms - The Lemonheads; Miserable - Lit; (I’m Not Your) Stepping Stone - The Monkees; Let it Play - Poison; Don’t Give Up and Inch - Poison; I Want Action - Poison (yeah, I like hair metal); Your Mama Don’t Dance - Loggins & Messina (and Poison);
Here are a few borderline ones:
Daniel - Elton John; Satellite - Dave Matthews Band; Bawitaba - Kid Rock; White Room - Cream
posted by Ian on 5-14-2008 at 1:40 pm
The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles theme song.
posted by David A. on 5-14-2008 at 1:50 pm
Just a few more from my collection (slow work day):
Fat Bottom Girls - Queen
Animate - Rush
Dead and Bloated - Stone Temple Pilots
Love is Like Oxygen - Sweet
Jumper - Third Eye Blind
Cherry Pie - Warrant
My Doorbell - White Stripes
posted by Ian on 5-14-2008 at 2:00 pm
Power Out- Arcade Fire
Waving Flags- British Sea Power
Thalassocracy- Frank Black
Na Na Na Na Naa- Kaiser Chiefs
Everything Is Average Nowadays- Kaiser Chiefs
Immigrant Song- Led Zeppelin
Don’t save us from the flames- M83
Interiatic esp- The Mars Volta
Du Og Meg- of Montreal
to name a few.
posted by Josiah on 5-14-2008 at 2:35 pm
Seven - Prince or whatever he calls himself these days
posted by Jodie on 5-14-2008 at 2:42 pm
I Just Died in Your Arms Tonight - Cutting Crew
Head to Toe - Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam
Crush on You - The Jets
Brass Monkey & Intergalactic - Beastie Boys
Cum on Feel the Noize - Quiet Riot
Upside Down - Diana Ross
Stop in the Name of Love - The Supremes
You are the Sunshine of my Life - Stevie Wonder
Hound Dog - Elvis Presley
Barbara Ann - Beach Boys
Big Girls Don’t Cry - Frankie Valli
La Bamba - Ritchie Valens
posted by Snathan on 5-14-2008 at 3:28 pm
I know of a very vague and obscure one for most people.
D.O.A. by Bloodrock. Early 70’s
posted by Niak Danger on 5-14-2008 at 3:33 pm
Macarena?
posted by Tim on 5-14-2008 at 3:51 pm
White Riot by the Clash
and a whole lot more, doesn’t really seem that unusual.
posted by Derek on 5-14-2008 at 3:55 pm
Three that will melt your face with Hot Metal
Living After Midnight - Judas Priest
Were Not Gonna Take It - Twisted Sister
Dream Police - Cheap Trick
posted by Tim on 5-14-2008 at 4:44 pm
Strawberry Fields Forever - Beatles (or did I miss it on someone else’s list?
Lay Lady Lay — Mr. Dylan
Mother and Child Reunion — Paul Simon (or did someone already say it?
posted by David H. on 5-14-2008 at 4:46 pm
OK, now I’m getting obsessed…
Michael Row the Boat Ashore
Bye Bye Love — Everly Bros et al.
Katmandu — Bob Seger
Clap For the Wolfman — Guess Who
Rock & Roll Music — Chuck Berry et al.
And from the Fabs: Good Day Sunshine, It Won’t Be Long, Love Me Do, Baby’s In Black
posted by David H. on 5-14-2008 at 5:47 pm
Laurie London - He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands
Sunny ROllands - St. Thomas
Gnarls Barkley - Transformer
Fat Joe - What’s Love
Falco - Rock Me Amadeus???
Guns ‘N Roses - Welcome to the Jungle (I know, sort of cheating)
The Notre Dame Fight Song
Jingle Bells
Please Mr. Postman - The Beatles (yeah I know someone else wrote it, can’t remember…)
Thurston Harris - Little Bitty Pretty One (stretching it a little)
Blink-182 - Wreckless Abandon
Mika - Lollipop
Grateful Dead - Casey Jones
Bob Marley - No Woman No Cry
Lonzo and Oscar - My Own Grandpa
I’ve spent way too much time on this. I’m done.
posted by Andrew on 5-14-2008 at 5:56 pm
How confusing for them to call the Chorus a “B” and the Bridge a “C”!
posted by Miss Cellania on 5-14-2008 at 6:23 pm
How about “The Hustle” by Van McCoy or “Fly Robin Fly” by Silver Convention… Both candidates for longest songs with the fewest words (four and seven, respectively)
posted by Chris on 5-14-2008 at 6:25 pm
Just kidding, not done.
Lots of rap music: Ride with Me by Nelly, Gotta Understand by Jurrasic Five, lots of Ludacris… it’s pretty common.
Wilson Picket - Mustang Sally (Does blues really count?)
It’s my Party
The Everly Brothers - Bye Bye Love
Billy Joel - For the Longest Time, The River of Dreams
James Taylor - How Sweet It Is (to be Loved by You)
Shakira - Hips Don’t Lie
The Doors - People Are Strange
Hall & Oates - Rich Girl
Yo La Tengo - It’s Christmas Time
Roberta Flack - Killing Me Softly with His Song
Nina Simone - Sinner Man
posted by Andrew on 5-14-2008 at 7:28 pm
Sooner or Later by the Grassroots
Lift High the Cross (#377 in the LBW)
The Railroad Comes Through the Middle of the House by Vaughn Monroe
Hush by Deep Purple
All My Loving by the Beatles
The Macarena by Los Del Rios (does that count?)
posted by Kevin on 5-14-2008 at 7:40 pm
I would have put “Lay, Lady, Lay” but I don’t know if I consider that one line a ‘chorus.’
posted by Jenny on 5-14-2008 at 9:31 pm
I Get Around - Beach Boys
Turn, Turn, Turn - Byrds
I Play Chicken With the Train - Cowboy Troy
Nashville Cats - Lovin’ Spoonfull
Cathy’s Clown - Every’ Brothers
Seven Bridges Road - Eagles (or Ricochet)
The Lion Sleeps Tonight - Tokens
posted by PartiallyDeflected on 5-14-2008 at 9:45 pm
Under Pressure by Queen.
I’m fairly sure no one mentioned it yet.
posted by Laura on 5-14-2008 at 11:01 pm
The Morning After by Maureen McGovern
posted by DrMan on 5-15-2008 at 8:26 am
6 Songs That Begin With a Chorus | Emusiclist.com…
\r\nAs most of you probably know, songs are generally composed of several verses (kno…
posted by Emusiclist.com | The web's music news on 5-15-2008 at 9:22 am
Oasis - Roll With It
Genesis - Paperlate
posted by Joe in TN on 5-15-2008 at 11:09 am
one more:
Rag Doll by Aerosmith
posted by Ian on 5-15-2008 at 1:53 pm
I knew I shouldn’t have added until I had made sure I was done. Here are my last two I promise (as if anyone is still reading this):
Inside Out by Eve 6
Peaches by Presidents of the United States of America
posted by Ian on 5-15-2008 at 2:23 pm
Even though many songs use the AB form, it doesn’t seem that strange to me that some songs start with a chorus…
posted by Jeff on 5-18-2008 at 8:35 pm
On the dark side:
Detonation Boulevard - Sisters of Mercy
posted by M on 5-23-2008 at 7:11 am
On the dark side:
Detonation Boulevard - The Sisters Of Mercy
posted by M on 5-23-2008 at 7:14 am
How interesting. There is something to be said for starting with the chorus. The songs that have been contributed by other bloggers show that a number of great songs follow this style.
posted by cangel on 5-23-2008 at 12:25 pm
The only one I can think of off the top of my head is ‘It Won’t Be Long’ by The Beatles. Extremely catchy.
posted by Louisianna on 5-31-2008 at 11:20 pm