The pre-chorus is the secret weapon that many hit songs use to create anticipation before the chorus arrives. It's the bridge between the verse and the chorus — a short section that shifts the energy, builds tension, and makes the chorus feel like a satisfying payoff. Here's how to write a pre-chorus that elevates your song.
The pre-chorus exists to create a sense of transition. If the verse tells the story and the chorus delivers the emotional punch, the pre-chorus is the wind-up before the swing. It signals to the listener that something bigger is coming. This transition can be melodic, harmonic, lyrical, or a combination of all three.
A great pre-chorus often moves the melody into a different range or rhythmic pattern than the verse. If your verse sits in a lower register with a conversational rhythm, try moving the pre-chorus melody higher and making the phrasing more urgent. This upward motion creates a natural sense of lift that propels the listener into the chorus.
Use chord changes in your pre-chorus that differ from both the verse and chorus. Moving to chords that feel unresolved — like a sus4 chord or a chord outside the expected progression — creates tension that the chorus can then resolve. This harmonic movement gives the listener a sense of forward motion and anticipation.
Pre-chorus lyrics often hint at the chorus message without fully revealing it. They might pose a question that the chorus answers, or describe the moment just before the emotional climax. Use language that creates a sense of building — phrases that suggest something is about to happen or that a realization is forming.
Pre-choruses are typically short — two to four lines or around four to eight bars of music. Their power comes from brevity. A pre-chorus that goes on too long loses its function as a transition and starts feeling like a second verse. Get in, build the energy, and get out.
Once you've written a pre-chorus, use it consistently throughout the song. Listeners expect the pre-chorus to appear each time before the chorus. You can make slight lyrical variations to keep it fresh, but the melodic and harmonic structure should remain recognizable.
A well-written pre-chorus can transform a good song into a great one by creating the anticipation that makes your chorus feel like an event. By shifting the melody, building harmonic tension, and keeping it concise, your pre-chorus becomes the perfect launchpad for your chorus.
Looking for the right words to build that perfect pre-chorus? Fast Rhymes offers tools to help you find rhymes and craft lyrics that transition smoothly into your chorus.
20/02/2025
Everything you need to write songs & poetry.
