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Pop song structure

Most pop songs go verse, pre-chorus and chorus twice, then a bridge and a last chorus. The chorus comes early and three times, and the intro is short, so the voice comes in quickly.

110 BPM · 72 bars · 2:37

Open this song map in the editor

A pop beat across all 72 bars, with a marker at each section, to change part by part. No account needed to start.

The song map

Section by section, at 110 BPM. Every section is in bars of four beats; at 110 BPM, 8 bars is about 17 seconds.

The pop song map: each section, its bars and where it starts
SectionBarsStarts
IntroOpens the song and sets its tempo, key and mood.40:00bar 1
Verse 1Tells the story: new words each time over the same music.80:09bar 5
Pre-chorusBuilds from the verse toward the chorus.40:26bar 13
ChorusThe same words each time: the song’s main idea and biggest part.80:35bar 17
Verse 2Tells the story: new words each time over the same music.80:52bar 25
Pre-chorus 2Builds from the verse toward the chorus.41:10bar 33
Chorus 2The same words each time: the song’s main idea and biggest part.81:19bar 37
BridgeComes once, late on, with new chords and words, before the last chorus.81:36bar 45
Final chorusThe same words each time: the song’s main idea and biggest part.161:53bar 53
OutroEnds the song, winding it down.42:28bar 69

How pop songs are built

The verses are sparse and tell the story; the pre-chorus climbs; the chorus brings in everything, with the title in it. The bridge breaks the pattern once, with new chords, so the last chorus lands harder. That chorus is often played twice.

Many pop songs add a post-chorus, a short chant or synth hook after each chorus, and some skip the pre-chorus or the bridge. The map is a place to start: take sections out or add them in the editor.

The sounds, chords and tempos are on the Pop page.

Questions about pop song structure

How long is a pop song?

This map is 72 bars, 2:37 at 110 BPM. Most pop songs run about two and a half to three and a half minutes.

What is the most common pop song structure?

Verse, pre-chorus, chorus, verse, pre-chorus, chorus, bridge, chorus: written in letters, ABABCB, with the pre-chorus folded into the verse.

Does every pop song have a bridge?

No. Many go verse, chorus, verse, chorus, chorus, or use a post-chorus or a breakdown where the bridge would be.

The parts in this map

IntroVersePre-chorusChorusBridgeOutro

More song maps

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Make a pop song

The free editor opens on this map: a pop beat across 72 bars, a marker at each section. Change any section part by part: mute the drums in the intro, add a melody, each part its own lane.

Open this song mapSong structure

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