Song Structure Checklist


The following are some checklist items that can be used when writing and arranging a song.

  • Each verse has the same melody and lyric

  • Corresponding lines in every verse contain the same number of syllables

  • Each verse contains eight lines of lyric (eight or sixteen musical bars)

  • If the first verse includes a pre-chorus, all subsequent verses also include a pre-chorus section

  • The chorus contains four or eight lines of lyric (eight or sixteen musical bars)

  • Each chorus has the same melody and the same lyrics

  • The title appears at least once in the chorus

  • If there is a bridge, it contains two or four lines of lyric (four or eight musical bars)

  • The bridge (if applicable) does not include the song title

  • The instrumental solo (if applicable) is no more than eight bars long