Refrain - in Popular Music

In Popular Music

In popular music the chorus may include the entire AABA section in thirty-two bar form (the bridge consisting of B), or it may consist of every B section (with the bridge being C), as in ABABCAB. The chorus contrasts with the verse, which leads into it, while the bridge contrasts with and leads into both. "Many popular songs, particularly from early in this century, are in a verse and a chorus (refrain) form. Most popular songs from the middle of the century consist only of a chorus."

A pop chorus is not the same as a refrain. A writer on pop-song theory, Davis opines that a refrain musically and lyrically resolves a verse and therefore ends it, whereas a chorus begins a distinctively new music section of at least eight bars. A refrain is often a two line repeated lyrical statement commenting on or summarizing the preceding verse, for example:

"Like a bridge over troubled water I will lay me down.
Like a bridge over troubled water I will lay me down."

This contrasts with the chorus of a typical modern pop song, which often consists of more than one line repeated, for example the chorus to Cher's "Believe":

"Do you believe in life after love
I can feel something inside me say
I really don't think you're strong enough, no."