There is a structure to songwriting. Hitmakers have laid the groundwork for what formula makes a top-selling song. Most songwriters follow it to a “T.” However, there are rare artists who throw the rulebook out the window. Not all of them succeed in subverting expectations, but the four songs below didn’t suffer for a lack of a usual chorus.
“Bohemian Rhapsody” (Queen)
Perhaps the most obvious example of a song that ditches a chorus and manages to get away with it is Queen‘s “Bohemian Rhapsody.” This song has no traditional structure; instead, it was at the mercy of Freddie Mercury‘s creative whims. From operatic sections to driving guitar riffs, “Bohemian Rhapsody” truly has it all. You certainly don’t miss a chorus in the song. There isn’t room for much else to be wedged into this musical masterpiece.
“A Day in the Life” (The Beatles)
Much like “Bohemian Rhapsody,” The Beatles’ “A Day in the Life” is composed of two distinct song sections powerfully combined. While John Lennon leads one section, Paul McCartney takes over the reins on the other. In many ways, this song exemplifies the differences in their songwriting. Although they may have been writing partners during the Beatles’ tenure, their sensibilities were distinctly different. This song is indicative of that.
“Losing My Religion” (R.E.M.)
While R.E.M.‘s “Losing My Religion” does have some semblance of a chorus (I thought that I heard you laughing / I thought that I heard you sing / I think I thought I saw you try) it’s a short section of the song and functions more like a bridge. However, this song certainly doesn’t suffer from the lack of a robust chorus. The verse melody is so catchy that it is nearly a refrain in and of itself. Fans have had no trouble remembering this hit, despite not having a familiar set of lyrics to return to.
“Hey Jude” (The Beatles)
Circling back around to The Beatles, the next inclusion on our list of songs without usual choruses is “Hey Jude.” Truth be told, the entire song is a chorus. The verses follow a repeating formula that includes the song title, functioning like a refrain. All of those verses then explode into a breakdown section. Needless to say, it’s not the traditional structure of a song, but that certainly hasn’t hurt its popularity.
