The Bridge - Song Forms - THE CRAFT OF SONGWRITING

Through the years when discussing songwriting with other songwriters, the bridge is the most controversial section in the form of a song. Some songwriters say you don't need a bridge, others say add one only if you want to take your song to a new place lyrically, and some write a bridge with every song, using the AABA song form.
Listen to Billy Joel's I Love You Just The Way You Are for an example of this song form. In this case the B section (which starts with the lyric,

I need to know that you will always be

) is a bridge between the 2nd and 3rd verse.

I've previously stated that song forms fall in and out of fashion like bell bottom pants. The bridge section of a song form is also subject to falling in and out of fashion.

If you should choose to add a bridge in your song, here are some important things to remember. The bridge functions just as it sounds like it does. A bridge over a river connects one bank to the other. A musical bridge also carries the listener to new ground. It is a transitional section of the song form and should take the listener to a new place lyrically and musically. Something extra both musically and lyrically, the bridge should be different than the other sections of the song by changing the melody, chord progression, the rhyme pattern, lyrical meter or sometimes the key. Lyrically, it can offer a surprise in the story, a change in point of view or take the listener to a different time. Musically, it can break up the repeated sections of the song and keep the listener interested. The bridge can provide some contrast and an opportunity to try something different within the context of the song's vibe. You can go outside of what the rest of the song is doing and push the envelope with the bridge. Lyrically and musically, it can come from a different point of view and tell another aspect of the story in a way the verse and chorus maybe can't without losing continuity and focus. It often occurs near the end of a song and is lyrically and musically the climax of the song. Often the bridge is followed by the final chorus and the lyric and music, especially the last line leads smoothly right into the chorus.

For and example of a bridge towards the end of the song leading back to the chorus, listen to Because You Love Me by David Foster as sung by Celine Dion.

Many times a bridge is not necessary. A simple verse/chorus will do, or a short instrumental leading to a lift/chorus will do. If your not saying anything new with your bridge, then leave it out of your song.