Popular in the first half of the 20th century as a formula for writing music, “AABA” is a type of song structure that has a predictable sequence for songwriting. This song form is used in a variety of music genres including pop, gospel, and jazz.
To better understand what the As and B means, the As represent two opening verse sections, a bridge (B), which is a transition to the final (A) verse section.
Classic Construction
In the classic AABA song format, each section is comprised of eight bars (measures). The formula can be illustrated as such:
A (verse) for 8 barsA (verse) for 8 barsB (bridge) for 8 barsA (verse) for 8 bars
You will notice that this song has 32 bars all in all. The first two A verse sections are composed of verses which are similar in melody but different in lyrical content. Then, this is followed by the bridge, the B section, which is musically and lyrically different than the A sections.
The bridge gives the song contrast before transitioning to the final A section. The bridge usually uses different chords, a different melody, and the lyrics usually shift. The bridge acts as an interlude between verses, which can give a song a jolt.
Some popular hits using the AABA form are “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” by Judy Garland, “Do You Want to Know a Secret,” by The Beatles, and “Just the Way You Are,” by Billy Joel.
Example of the AABA Song Form
In “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” by Judy Garland, you can see how the first two verses establish the main melody of the song. Then the bridge shifts the song into a different gear, giving it a contrasting quality. Then, the return to the last verse provides the listener a comfortable return to what is familiar.
A First verse Somewhere over the rainbow way up high
A Second verse Somewhere over the rainbow skies are blue
B Bridge Someday I’ll wish upon a star and wake up where the clouds are far behind me
A Final verse Somewhere over the rainbow bluebirds fly…
Exceptions to the Rule
There are many AABA songs that do not follow the 8-8-8-8 format, for example, the song “Send in the Clowns” has a 6-6-9-8 format. Sometimes a songwriter may feel the need to lengthen the AABA song form by adding another bridge or adding an additional A section. This format can be illustrated as A-A-B-A-B-A.
Example of AABABA Song Form
In “Longer” by Dan Fogelberg, the second bridge may either be lyrically the same or different than the first bridge and at times it can also be an instrumental part, as in this case. The last A section may also be a repeat of an earlier verse or an entirely new verse that gives the song a sense of completion.
A First verse Longer than there’ve been fishes in the ocean
A Second verse Stronger than any mountain cathedral
B Bridge I’ll bring fires in the winters
A Third verse Through the years as the fire starts to mellow
B Bridge (Instrumental)
A Final verse Longer than there’ve been fishes in the ocean (repeats first verse)
Types of Song Structure
The Parts of a Song
The Verse/Chorus/Bridge Song Form
100 of the Best Pop Songs of All Time
Top 8 XTC Songs of the ’80s
Top 10 Barbra Streisand Songs
An Overview of the Motown Music Genre
What Is the Art Song Musical Genre?
Top 10 Everly Brothers Songs of All Time
Top Toto Songs of the ’80s
Your Guide to the Best R&B Singles of 1979
Top 10 Comforting Pop Songs
The Top 10 Sad Christmas Songs
Pop Musicians Who Died in the 2000s
What Does a Lyricist Provide in the Music World?
What Is a Rhythm Section?
Home
Entertainment
Careers
Activities
Humor
About Us Advertise Careers Privacy Policy Editorial Guidelines Contact Terms of Use EU Privacy
LiveAbout is part of the Dotdash Meredith publishing family.
When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. Cookies Settings Reject All Accept Cookies
Popular in the first half of the 20th century as a formula for writing music, “AABA” is a type of song structure that has a predictable sequence for songwriting. This song form is used in a variety of music genres including pop, gospel, and jazz.
To better understand what the As and B means, the As represent two opening verse sections, a bridge (B), which is a transition to the final (A) verse section.
Classic Construction
In the classic AABA song format, each section is comprised of eight bars (measures). The formula can be illustrated as such:
A (verse) for 8 barsA (verse) for 8 barsB (bridge) for 8 barsA (verse) for 8 bars
You will notice that this song has 32 bars all in all. The first two A verse sections are composed of verses which are similar in melody but different in lyrical content. Then, this is followed by the bridge, the B section, which is musically and lyrically different than the A sections.
The bridge gives the song contrast before transitioning to the final A section. The bridge usually uses different chords, a different melody, and the lyrics usually shift. The bridge acts as an interlude between verses, which can give a song a jolt.
Some popular hits using the AABA form are “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” by Judy Garland, “Do You Want to Know a Secret,” by The Beatles, and “Just the Way You Are,” by Billy Joel.
Example of the AABA Song Form
In “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” by Judy Garland, you can see how the first two verses establish the main melody of the song. Then the bridge shifts the song into a different gear, giving it a contrasting quality. Then, the return to the last verse provides the listener a comfortable return to what is familiar.
A First verse Somewhere over the rainbow way up high
A Second verse Somewhere over the rainbow skies are blue
B Bridge Someday I’ll wish upon a star and wake up where the clouds are far behind me
A Final verse Somewhere over the rainbow bluebirds fly…
Exceptions to the Rule
There are many AABA songs that do not follow the 8-8-8-8 format, for example, the song “Send in the Clowns” has a 6-6-9-8 format. Sometimes a songwriter may feel the need to lengthen the AABA song form by adding another bridge or adding an additional A section. This format can be illustrated as A-A-B-A-B-A.
Example of AABABA Song Form
In “Longer” by Dan Fogelberg, the second bridge may either be lyrically the same or different than the first bridge and at times it can also be an instrumental part, as in this case. The last A section may also be a repeat of an earlier verse or an entirely new verse that gives the song a sense of completion.
A First verse Longer than there’ve been fishes in the ocean
A Second verse Stronger than any mountain cathedral
B Bridge I’ll bring fires in the winters
A Third verse Through the years as the fire starts to mellow
B Bridge (Instrumental)
A Final verse Longer than there’ve been fishes in the ocean (repeats first verse)
Types of Song Structure
The Parts of a Song
The Verse/Chorus/Bridge Song Form
100 of the Best Pop Songs of All Time
Top 8 XTC Songs of the ’80s
Top 10 Barbra Streisand Songs
An Overview of the Motown Music Genre
What Is the Art Song Musical Genre?
Top 10 Everly Brothers Songs of All Time
Top Toto Songs of the ’80s
Your Guide to the Best R&B Singles of 1979
Top 10 Comforting Pop Songs
The Top 10 Sad Christmas Songs
Pop Musicians Who Died in the 2000s
What Does a Lyricist Provide in the Music World?
What Is a Rhythm Section?
Home
Entertainment
Careers
Activities
Humor
About Us Advertise Careers Privacy Policy Editorial Guidelines Contact Terms of Use EU Privacy
LiveAbout is part of the Dotdash Meredith publishing family.
When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. Cookies Settings Reject All Accept Cookies
Popular in the first half of the 20th century as a formula for writing music, “AABA” is a type of song structure that has a predictable sequence for songwriting. This song form is used in a variety of music genres including pop, gospel, and jazz.
To better understand what the As and B means, the As represent two opening verse sections, a bridge (B), which is a transition to the final (A) verse section.
Classic Construction
In the classic AABA song format, each section is comprised of eight bars (measures). The formula can be illustrated as such:
A (verse) for 8 barsA (verse) for 8 barsB (bridge) for 8 barsA (verse) for 8 bars
You will notice that this song has 32 bars all in all. The first two A verse sections are composed of verses which are similar in melody but different in lyrical content. Then, this is followed by the bridge, the B section, which is musically and lyrically different than the A sections.
The bridge gives the song contrast before transitioning to the final A section. The bridge usually uses different chords, a different melody, and the lyrics usually shift. The bridge acts as an interlude between verses, which can give a song a jolt.
Some popular hits using the AABA form are “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” by Judy Garland, “Do You Want to Know a Secret,” by The Beatles, and “Just the Way You Are,” by Billy Joel.
Example of the AABA Song Form
In “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” by Judy Garland, you can see how the first two verses establish the main melody of the song. Then the bridge shifts the song into a different gear, giving it a contrasting quality. Then, the return to the last verse provides the listener a comfortable return to what is familiar.
A First verse Somewhere over the rainbow way up high
A Second verse Somewhere over the rainbow skies are blue
B Bridge Someday I’ll wish upon a star and wake up where the clouds are far behind me
A Final verse Somewhere over the rainbow bluebirds fly…
Exceptions to the Rule
There are many AABA songs that do not follow the 8-8-8-8 format, for example, the song “Send in the Clowns” has a 6-6-9-8 format. Sometimes a songwriter may feel the need to lengthen the AABA song form by adding another bridge or adding an additional A section. This format can be illustrated as A-A-B-A-B-A.
Example of AABABA Song Form
In “Longer” by Dan Fogelberg, the second bridge may either be lyrically the same or different than the first bridge and at times it can also be an instrumental part, as in this case. The last A section may also be a repeat of an earlier verse or an entirely new verse that gives the song a sense of completion.
A First verse Longer than there’ve been fishes in the ocean
A Second verse Stronger than any mountain cathedral
B Bridge I’ll bring fires in the winters
A Third verse Through the years as the fire starts to mellow
B Bridge (Instrumental)
A Final verse Longer than there’ve been fishes in the ocean (repeats first verse)
Types of Song Structure
The Parts of a Song
The Verse/Chorus/Bridge Song Form
100 of the Best Pop Songs of All Time
Top 8 XTC Songs of the ’80s
Top 10 Barbra Streisand Songs
An Overview of the Motown Music Genre
What Is the Art Song Musical Genre?
Top 10 Everly Brothers Songs of All Time
Top Toto Songs of the ’80s
Your Guide to the Best R&B Singles of 1979
Top 10 Comforting Pop Songs
The Top 10 Sad Christmas Songs
Pop Musicians Who Died in the 2000s
What Does a Lyricist Provide in the Music World?
What Is a Rhythm Section?
When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. Cookies Settings Reject All Accept Cookies
Popular in the first half of the 20th century as a formula for writing music, “AABA” is a type of song structure that has a predictable sequence for songwriting. This song form is used in a variety of music genres including pop, gospel, and jazz.
To better understand what the As and B means, the As represent two opening verse sections, a bridge (B), which is a transition to the final (A) verse section.
Classic Construction
In the classic AABA song format, each section is comprised of eight bars (measures). The formula can be illustrated as such:
- A (verse) for 8 barsA (verse) for 8 barsB (bridge) for 8 barsA (verse) for 8 bars
You will notice that this song has 32 bars all in all. The first two A verse sections are composed of verses which are similar in melody but different in lyrical content. Then, this is followed by the bridge, the B section, which is musically and lyrically different than the A sections.
The bridge gives the song contrast before transitioning to the final A section. The bridge usually uses different chords, a different melody, and the lyrics usually shift. The bridge acts as an interlude between verses, which can give a song a jolt.
Some popular hits using the AABA form are “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” by Judy Garland, “Do You Want to Know a Secret,” by The Beatles, and “Just the Way You Are,” by Billy Joel.
Example of the AABA Song Form
In “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” by Judy Garland, you can see how the first two verses establish the main melody of the song. Then the bridge shifts the song into a different gear, giving it a contrasting quality. Then, the return to the last verse provides the listener a comfortable return to what is familiar.
A First verse Somewhere over the rainbow way up high
A Second verse Somewhere over the rainbow skies are blue
B Bridge Someday I’ll wish upon a star and wake up where the clouds are far behind me
A Final verse Somewhere over the rainbow bluebirds fly…
Exceptions to the Rule
There are many AABA songs that do not follow the 8-8-8-8 format, for example, the song “Send in the Clowns” has a 6-6-9-8 format. Sometimes a songwriter may feel the need to lengthen the AABA song form by adding another bridge or adding an additional A section. This format can be illustrated as A-A-B-A-B-A.
Example of AABABA Song Form
In “Longer” by Dan Fogelberg, the second bridge may either be lyrically the same or different than the first bridge and at times it can also be an instrumental part, as in this case. The last A section may also be a repeat of an earlier verse or an entirely new verse that gives the song a sense of completion.
A First verse Longer than there’ve been fishes in the ocean
A Second verse Stronger than any mountain cathedral
B Bridge I’ll bring fires in the winters
A Third verse Through the years as the fire starts to mellow
B Bridge (Instrumental)
A Final verse Longer than there’ve been fishes in the ocean (repeats first verse)
Exceptions to the Rule
There are many AABA songs that do not follow the 8-8-8-8 format, for example, the song “Send in the Clowns” has a 6-6-9-8 format. Sometimes a songwriter may feel the need to lengthen the AABA song form by adding another bridge or adding an additional A section. This format can be illustrated as A-A-B-A-B-A.
Example of AABABA Song Form
In “Longer” by Dan Fogelberg, the second bridge may either be lyrically the same or different than the first bridge and at times it can also be an instrumental part, as in this case. The last A section may also be a repeat of an earlier verse or an entirely new verse that gives the song a sense of completion.
A First verse Longer than there’ve been fishes in the ocean
A Second verse Stronger than any mountain cathedral
B Bridge I’ll bring fires in the winters
A Third verse Through the years as the fire starts to mellow
B Bridge (Instrumental)
A Final verse Longer than there’ve been fishes in the ocean (repeats first verse)
Types of Song Structure
The Parts of a Song
The Verse/Chorus/Bridge Song Form
100 of the Best Pop Songs of All Time
Top 8 XTC Songs of the ’80s
Top 10 Barbra Streisand Songs
An Overview of the Motown Music Genre
What Is the Art Song Musical Genre?
Top 10 Everly Brothers Songs of All Time
Top Toto Songs of the ’80s
Your Guide to the Best R&B Singles of 1979
Top 10 Comforting Pop Songs
The Top 10 Sad Christmas Songs
Pop Musicians Who Died in the 2000s
What Does a Lyricist Provide in the Music World?
What Is a Rhythm Section?
Types of Song Structure
Types of Song Structure
The Parts of a Song
The Parts of a Song
The Verse/Chorus/Bridge Song Form
The Verse/Chorus/Bridge Song Form
100 of the Best Pop Songs of All Time
100 of the Best Pop Songs of All Time
Top 8 XTC Songs of the ’80s
Top 8 XTC Songs of the ’80s
Top 10 Barbra Streisand Songs
Top 10 Barbra Streisand Songs
An Overview of the Motown Music Genre
An Overview of the Motown Music Genre
What Is the Art Song Musical Genre?
What Is the Art Song Musical Genre?
Top 10 Everly Brothers Songs of All Time
Top 10 Everly Brothers Songs of All Time
Top Toto Songs of the ’80s
Top Toto Songs of the ’80s
Your Guide to the Best R&B Singles of 1979
Your Guide to the Best R&B Singles of 1979
Top 10 Comforting Pop Songs
Top 10 Comforting Pop Songs
The Top 10 Sad Christmas Songs
The Top 10 Sad Christmas Songs
Pop Musicians Who Died in the 2000s
Pop Musicians Who Died in the 2000s
What Does a Lyricist Provide in the Music World?
What Does a Lyricist Provide in the Music World?
What Is a Rhythm Section?
What Is a Rhythm Section?
Home
Entertainment
Careers
Activities
Humor
About Us Advertise Careers Privacy Policy Editorial Guidelines Contact Terms of Use EU Privacy
LiveAbout is part of the Dotdash Meredith publishing family.
Home
Home
Entertainment
Careers
Activities
Humor
About Us Advertise Careers Privacy Policy Editorial Guidelines Contact Terms of Use EU Privacy
About Us
Advertise
Careers
Privacy Policy
Editorial Guidelines
Contact
Terms of Use
EU Privacy
Entertainment
Careers
Activities
Humor
LiveAbout is part of the Dotdash Meredith publishing family.
When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. Cookies Settings Reject All Accept Cookies
