Haha - he certainly mashed up the bridge on All the Things You Are - nul points, I'm afraid. Though he can have a full ten for the opening cigarette smoke.
It's a shame that the bridge/middle 8 has fallen out of fashion, though only to be expected with much modern day songwriting being based around a repeated harmonic sequence as well as the favouring of keeping a song to a Spotify friendly length of under 3 minutes. However, The Lemon Twigs still fly the flag for it, as this gem of theirs shows...
another great column. The best writers on music, and it’s damned hard, MAKE you go and listen to the songs about which they are writing, again… Which is exactly what I am going to have to do now
You seem to have reduced your stress issue. Whilst the writting is sound ( Ha-Ha!) ther topic is too esoteric, even to a vertically challenged polymath ! Ant xxx
The definition of geeky is "A description of someone, or something, characterized by intense, passionate enthusiasm for niche topics". Wow! Fits my piece perfectly.
I love a good bridge, sadly something that’s missed in today’s era of 2 min 30 secs pop. George Michael created some fantastic bridges - Outside, Fast Love, Everything She Wants. Sometimes it feels like the bridge alone could be another amazing song. Maybe those days will return.
Great read. Of course the title wouldn’t have been as punchy if it were ‘Building Middle Eights’ 😂
Perhaps ‘After Eights’?
A couple of weeks ago we were discussing new artists and their songwriting, arguing it was as good now as it’s ever been? It’s interesting that you reference classic songwriters. Contemporary songs seem to have a different structure. Is the middle eight dead?
Of course it is - I agree - all this “not what it used to be” is rubbish. The best new songs are as good as anything previously - different technologies cause different structures and emphases within the songs, but that’s as it should be.
Aah - but it's s-l-o-w progress - I'm also working on a couple of films and two new music projects. The weekly Substack posts will be part of the new book so at least you can read a bit of it each week.
'bridges' in music, i'll go hear these songs now... such an imporatant part of songwriting and build-up... and the most fun part to compose... feel they are a bit underused these days where songs often stays in same chord progression through out the full song...
Streaming may have changed the style but most hits are pretty sophisticated - just not in an 80s way. Even the static chord hits have loads of addedi 9ths or 11ths or sus4s - or bass lines that walk up scales creating new inversions. All quite clever. But I agree - not as tuneful. Though sometimes old style tunes suddenly crop up - almost as good as they used to be. Strong melodies never go away.
so so true, hits always have this something xtra to them... thats why i love hits so much... often you don't notice... extended chords really make such a difference... love the use of them in melody a lot... melodies that use 2nd, 9th and the rest... think, every step, police early 80's did it for me. down to the brilliant weekly jazz night , guess i'll go home tonight without hearing a single base note... funny..thats jazz... another story
The Americans call it the Bridge which makes no sense. They call our bridge the pre chorus which is a dull statement. Bridge is a way better description for a bridge between the verse and chorus although arguably we then call it a Middle 8 which is way too specific.
Yes - all a bit of a muddle - some people also call it the release. I prefer middle 8 because that's what I was bought up with. And like you, I definition like the term bridge for the verse to chorus bit - because that's exactly what it is.
Good observations here Simon, talking of whom… Paul Simon’s bridges are a collection of masterpieces on their own, a particularly spectacular one being in ‘American Tune’ from his ‘There Goes Rhymin’ Simon’ album which takes the whole song to the next level as the lyric questions American democracy… should be DT’s theme song lol…
I always thought the chorus of 50 Ways to Leave Your Woman probably started out as the bridge - but was then deemed just too good not to be doubled up into a chorus.
The song is in charge. The song dictates whether anything happens. Artists are sometimes guilty of forcing a bridge... the bigger the artist the greater the force.
The bearded guy? I do so many of them - and so many have beards. But delighted you enjoyed it. I think the one you were talking about was with Mike Gendler, and the link for anyone who wants it, is here - https://youtu.be/_dYuLHB3mbA
Take it to the bridge indeed!
Where IS that confounded bridge? ;-)
Very good…
The first one that came into my head when I started reading this was...
She's-the-kind-of-girl-who-puts-you-down-when-friends-are-there-you-feel-a-fool.
"Jerome Kern’s All the Things You Are is a masterpiece of modulation."
Sure. Speaking of which, Rick Beato's breakdown of 'All The Things You Are/Michelle' DNA was pretty interesting...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H9nKr6DPxK4
Nice read. HAGD.
Rick at his most expansive. But always worth a listen.
The only reason I was aware of that song prior is that my GF happens to be something of a Serge Gainsbourg freak.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WnrOLcvJlZ8
Curiously enough, Gainsbourg's later output was conspicuously short of middle eights.
Maybe he was too thunk to drink any up.
Haha - he certainly mashed up the bridge on All the Things You Are - nul points, I'm afraid. Though he can have a full ten for the opening cigarette smoke.
Sorry, I meant bridge….not refrain
aah yes - now your comment makes better sense - 😋
It's a shame that the bridge/middle 8 has fallen out of fashion, though only to be expected with much modern day songwriting being based around a repeated harmonic sequence as well as the favouring of keeping a song to a Spotify friendly length of under 3 minutes. However, The Lemon Twigs still fly the flag for it, as this gem of theirs shows...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kt-SfqTIzcs
another great column. The best writers on music, and it’s damned hard, MAKE you go and listen to the songs about which they are writing, again… Which is exactly what I am going to have to do now
Haha! Then you can argue with me about them.
absolutely! 😀
You seem to have reduced your stress issue. Whilst the writting is sound ( Ha-Ha!) ther topic is too esoteric, even to a vertically challenged polymath ! Ant xxx
Aah yes - simple minds. I forgot. I'll give you something easier next week.
Just not geeky enough !
The definition of geeky is "A description of someone, or something, characterized by intense, passionate enthusiasm for niche topics". Wow! Fits my piece perfectly.
Agreed ! But sadly my geekyness does not extend to bridges......
Obviously then - a gap that needs to be brid.... Oh dear, no. Perhaps - jumped over.
I love your conversation and humour , but it’s always nice to be able to participate with at least a working knowledge of the subject! X
Queen's Good Old Fashioned Lover Boy has a good bridge with a notable tonal change.
Quite an altered structure too - but technically I think it still just manages to be a bridge - and, you're right - a good one.
Yeah, the call-and-response part. But it's really the piano part before the vocals that really sets up the mood change in the first place.
I love a good bridge, sadly something that’s missed in today’s era of 2 min 30 secs pop. George Michael created some fantastic bridges - Outside, Fast Love, Everything She Wants. Sometimes it feels like the bridge alone could be another amazing song. Maybe those days will return.
I think quite often the bridge does indeed become the song - and the writer changes the first 16 bars from A-A to two verses.
Great read. Of course the title wouldn’t have been as punchy if it were ‘Building Middle Eights’ 😂
Perhaps ‘After Eights’?
A couple of weeks ago we were discussing new artists and their songwriting, arguing it was as good now as it’s ever been? It’s interesting that you reference classic songwriters. Contemporary songs seem to have a different structure. Is the middle eight dead?
Of course it is - I agree - all this “not what it used to be” is rubbish. The best new songs are as good as anything previously - different technologies cause different structures and emphases within the songs, but that’s as it should be.
I need to buy your latest book. Is it out yet?
Aah - but it's s-l-o-w progress - I'm also working on a couple of films and two new music projects. The weekly Substack posts will be part of the new book so at least you can read a bit of it each week.
I get it. We are interested in following your film and music projects. Have a great day…
Gosh! Which lone? I’ve written five.
I know and edited the comment to ask about the latest. We thought one was in progress?
loved to read such a fine article about
'bridges' in music, i'll go hear these songs now... such an imporatant part of songwriting and build-up... and the most fun part to compose... feel they are a bit underused these days where songs often stays in same chord progression through out the full song...
Streaming may have changed the style but most hits are pretty sophisticated - just not in an 80s way. Even the static chord hits have loads of addedi 9ths or 11ths or sus4s - or bass lines that walk up scales creating new inversions. All quite clever. But I agree - not as tuneful. Though sometimes old style tunes suddenly crop up - almost as good as they used to be. Strong melodies never go away.
so so true, hits always have this something xtra to them... thats why i love hits so much... often you don't notice... extended chords really make such a difference... love the use of them in melody a lot... melodies that use 2nd, 9th and the rest... think, every step, police early 80's did it for me. down to the brilliant weekly jazz night , guess i'll go home tonight without hearing a single base note... funny..thats jazz... another story
i first started playing bebop in the 1950s -suddenly that first four bars of the tonic in a blues became 11 different chords
Thanks Simon…..I’m currently writing a song which incidentally doesn’t have a refrain…..you’ve certainly given me food for thought
All the best…..always great reading
The Americans call it the Bridge which makes no sense. They call our bridge the pre chorus which is a dull statement. Bridge is a way better description for a bridge between the verse and chorus although arguably we then call it a Middle 8 which is way too specific.
Yes - all a bit of a muddle - some people also call it the release. I prefer middle 8 because that's what I was bought up with. And like you, I definition like the term bridge for the verse to chorus bit - because that's exactly what it is.
Let’s start a campaign to call the middle 8 the ‘ BEST BIT’
Good observations here Simon, talking of whom… Paul Simon’s bridges are a collection of masterpieces on their own, a particularly spectacular one being in ‘American Tune’ from his ‘There Goes Rhymin’ Simon’ album which takes the whole song to the next level as the lyric questions American democracy… should be DT’s theme song lol…
I always thought the chorus of 50 Ways to Leave Your Woman probably started out as the bridge - but was then deemed just too good not to be doubled up into a chorus.
The song is in charge. The song dictates whether anything happens. Artists are sometimes guilty of forcing a bridge... the bigger the artist the greater the force.
Solomon Burke certainly pushed them hard. I agree, sometimes a timid bridge can be nicely refreshing.
Really educational.
Thanks for explaining "the bridge".
PS I liked your interview on YouTube with the bearded guy on the difficulties faced in managing celebs. Humorous and informative.
The bearded guy? I do so many of them - and so many have beards. But delighted you enjoyed it. I think the one you were talking about was with Mike Gendler, and the link for anyone who wants it, is here - https://youtu.be/_dYuLHB3mbA