Songs have component parts, a structure. There’s a verse, and a chorus. More verse and chorus, maybe an instrumental solo. And there’s something called a bridge.
The bridge, sometimes called the middle eight, happens a couple of minutes into the song. The melody and chord pattern will be different to the rest of the song, the lyric might introduce a new part of the story, a new idea, a resolution. A good bridge sets up the end of the song, and it’s often the bit where the magic happens.
The bridge has been part of popular music for a hundred years, maybe more. But we don’t hear them so much in contemporary song. About a year ago, Sting said he feels the bridge is disappearing, and there are many in the music business who agree. Software is increasingly used to write songs, and a good bridge might be too hard for a computer. Certainly, streaming services favour shorter, simpler songs.
Why does the bridge matter? Listen to some great examples.
