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What is a post-chorus in a song?

A post-chorus is a short section right after the chorus that keeps its energy going with a new, simple idea: a chant, a vocal chop, a repeated word or an instrumental hook. It became common in pop as songs borrowed the drop from dance music.

Usually 4 bars · 4 or 8 bars

Where the post-chorus goes

Straight after a chorus, before the next verse or the bridge.

How long is a post-chorus?

A post-chorus usually runs 4 bars (4 or 8 bars). In seconds, that depends on the tempo:

How long a post-chorus of 4 bars is at three tempos
Tempo4 bars8 bars
90 BPM11 s21 s
110 BPM9 s17 s
128 BPM8 s15 s

How to make a post-chorus

  • Keep it simpler than the chorus: one short phrase, repeated.
  • Use a sound for it instead of words: a lead, a vocal chop, a synth riff.
  • Keep the chorus’s drums going, so the energy does not drop.

Questions about the post-chorus

What is the difference between a chorus and a post-chorus?

The chorus carries the main words and melody. The post-chorus follows it with a smaller, repeated idea that keeps the energy up before the song calms down for the next verse.

How long is a post-chorus?

Usually 4 or 8 bars: at 110 BPM, 4 bars is about 9 seconds.

Other parts of a song

IntroVersePre-chorusChorusHookRefrainBridgeBreakdownDropOutro

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