Songwriting Secrets: How To Write A Great Chorus Easily | Songwriting Academy

In this video, multi-platinum songwriter Martin Sutton explains his simple secrets to writing a great chorus consistently.
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Timeline of Video:
What is a Chorus? 0:16
How do we say what we want to say in the Chorus? 3:00
Chorus tips 3:36
Overview 6:39
Music references:
Elvis Presley - Jailhouse Rock: • Elvis Presley - Jailho...
Phyllis Nelson - Move Closer: • Phyllis nelson-Move Cl...
Ben E. King - Stand By Me: • Ben E. King - Stand By...
LeAnn Rimes & Brian McFadden - Everybody's Someone: • LeAnn Rimes & Brian Mc...
James Blunt - You're Beautiful: • James Blunt - You're B...
Whitney Houston - Where Do Broken Hearts Go: • Whitney Houston - Wher...
Jimmy Ruffin - What Becomes of the Brokenhearted: • Jimmy Ruffin - What Be...
THE SHIRELLES-WILL U STILL LOVE ME TOMORROW: • THE SHIRELLES-WILL U S...
The Human League - Don't You Want Me: • The Human League - Don...
Elton John - Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word: • Elton John - Sorry See...

[@jbela]

Thanks so much for this tip, I always get lost telling a story in the song then get stuck on not getting the chorus

[@tomlitterick560]

A chorus is just one tool that you can use in composing. Saying that a song NEEDS a chorus is just bad song writing. One of the most famous songs in the world Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen doesn’t have a chorus. Focus on what you’re trying to achieve first. If a chorus fits in that idea then great, they are easy to write and you get to repeat them. But if it doesn’t it honestly doesn’t matter and can even make your song seem less ‘poppy’ and more artistic.

[@jbela]

@@tomlitterick560 Thanks so much, that makes sense! The body of work in a song is so much more than a chorus.

[@theKirbyShow]

Bro fr I find it best to write my song and just pick a catchy part from it and just loop it to were it makes sence

[@cesruhf2605]

I make a chorus, but then the verse and pre-chorus is more catchier than the chorus

[@yourfriendgen6713]

I have the same problem. I can make really good verses and prechoruses but when it gets to the chorus I dont know what to do.

[@markitux]

@@yourfriendgen6713 hahaha +1 here! maybe we can start a club... :(

[@navancheerecords5424]

Can I join the club too?

[@shucksful]

@@navancheerecords5424 mee tooo? Lol. 🤩

[@afiqdanial9090]

invite me tooo

[@borbalaszeplabi694]

"do you think you might like to stand by me" had me snort into my coffee

[@mastercontender6139]

Title of my next song

[@Mattskito529]

sounds so simple and obvious, but it's really where a lot of amateur songwriters (myself included) go wrong

[@simonsapparition3700]

for real

[@tw4592]

please dont stop making these videos. theyre so helpful

[@martinsutton3410]

thomas walls don’t worry, plenty more on the way!

[@echomusicswe]

Thx Martin, awesome tips!!! love it :)

[@ChernobogStudio]

Wonderful video as usual, Martin. Thank you!

[@clarkstokes7080]

Pure Gold Martin! Thank you very much…cheers!

[@suzanneroux]

Thanks so much Martin, great input !

[@kebedeareri7642]

Great Presentation! Blessings!

[@guymustsingpatreon]

Fabulous! Thank you for your genererosity Martin! Very kind! :-)

[@theresasinger9039]

Thank you, Martin! I'm already missing you and the TSA team!

[@machidotv]

Thanks so much sir♥️

[@LennySugiono]

Absolute fountain of knowledge

[@Signal_Intelligence]

Thanks Martin, I appreciate your informative videos on song writing. ;) I'm learning a lot, thank you. Have a super day!

[@GaryMeadowsMusic]

Thanks, Started writing a song using your advice, still not completely happy with the chorus but so far it may end up one of my better ones.

[@dbxniker7484]

this man has probably helped so much artists

[@jimanderson5172]

Everyone is different some people come up with great words someone people have a knack for song writing, it's what ever is in your mind at that moment, don't over think, be real with yourself it's your song and enjoy what you're doing. I enjoy writing songs it's very relaxing

[@officialweet-bixfanaccount6020]

its very east to fall into that trap of trying to make something super complex when it doesn't need to be, which inevitably ends in disappointment. sometimes I need something to knock me out of that state of mind and remind me I'm doing this for fun so thank you for that.

[@fillypetite6898]

Love this company ❤️

[@RavenMadd9]

thank you Martin

[@MustafaBaabad]

Thank you very much. God Bless You! Cheers from Indonesia

[@apokolypzejonez22]

This was helpful 👍🏾

[@crazygoodmotherhood5260]

Thank you! This was very helpful!

[@AquashiiMusic]

Shall we rock for a little while...lol Love it!

[@elenawalter1855]

Hi Martin, I just discovered your Songwriting Academy web site and the Community where I see many likeminded people, I am happy to join! Thanks a lot!

[@BillyReedMusic]

Great advice. Thanks! I just subscribed!

[@Marcnshae2011]

Thank you!

[@RickyTehra]

Awesome as always 💐

[@tomsalutan7217]

thank you very for the tips . GOD BLESS !

[@jammybilly]

Thanks Martin. Nice summary of some of the info from the other videos.

[@cathyhilton5298]

Chorus is the meat and heart of a song

[@vitaminfian]

Thank you

[@muherezahillary8521]

I can make a chorus now, Thank you

[@devonplaza4202]

thank you

[@steveg3314]

You‘re amazing, Martin! Please never stop doing these videos!

[@Andersabjorn1]

Feels like he has...😨

[@StevenDiLeo]

Thank you for these ideas! :)

Great! Thanks.

[@stephaniemaxine676]

this was extremely helpful

[@JunyL]

gracias just what i was missing everythng makes so much sense

[@christinauhrbak]

Thank you for actually being concrete and knowing what you talk about - I signed up on your website

[@mauriciomanino]

Woah! Very great tools! Thanks!!!!

[@johnpucilla7157]

Excellent and simplified. Regards, Songwriter John Pucilla

[@MontegoBayApartment]

so helpful...give tanx

[@KaitavSapreMusic]

Great tips, thank you so much!

[@Shiyounin]

Liked, subscribed, notification bell rung, and commented. I was going to add a chorus too, but I'll refrain.

[@duniaquirante5083]

Wow I'm a directioner and honestly I didn't see the Where Do Broken Hearts Go part coming haha, this video is so helpful thanks

[@FindMeInsanity]

Are they still a thing? Zayn's the only one that still makes unique stuff and goes awf with his vocals and shows versality across all genres. Harry Styles has more commercial success but its mostly because of payola

[@LeahLlewellyn]

thanks so much.

[@littizja]

I truly love your necklace… mind sharing where’d you get it?

[@sujayanarula3913]

Thank you Mr Sutton, I have written some songs if you want to evaluate it, plz let me know if I can share it with you. Appreciate your tips to write better.😊

[@myversionofstuff]

Nice, thanks

[@djfroggy1566]

Point 3 Of Using A Question, Reminds Me Of A Song Titled: " Do You Remember?" By Phill Collins 👏

[@gasparucciox9706]

i liked this tutorial a lot

[@darrenross9168]

excellent tips, thank you Martin, all the best, Darren Ross.

[@seanobrien7568]

Yeah great tips, Sean O'Brien

[@charlieleo7236]

Truly a helpful video, Charlie Leo

[@b4rtir4]

Just discovered your channel. Thank you much for these videos, they're really helpful! I can't download the pdf, it sends me to a generic free domains page thingy.

[@stylesdangerfield]

I think that for the most part you should write exactly how you feel in a song. If you're not sure that you are in love with her who loves somebody else who is interested in someone else and in fact the whole thing might not work out, then someone else probably feels something similar. And those are the people that you are going to relate to. It sort of depends how poppy you are trying to get with the song. But I do think what he is saying is a good point, but keep in mind "Tools not Rules" there is nothing that you can't doing or at least try.

[@twopianomanGAB_D]

I like the people who take the time to say what's on their minds.

[@TrueGritProductions]

I like songs that sound like they were written by Michael Bay and Jerry Bruckheimer. "I'm a badass. I'm taking you home tonight. We're gonna do it. We're gonna do it right."

[@tuftyindigo]

That's fine as long as you're definite about it. Even if the core idea of the song is that you're not sure about something, the chorus can still say, "Can we make it?" or "Tell me what to do". You can be short and punchy and still be honest about your uncertainty or inner turmoil.

[@TrueGritProductions]

Great video

[@Lifestylentertainmentv]

This is so useful i always battle with chorus makes me lose interest whenever I get inspiration to write a song I get lost trying to balance the chorus

[@JackTheRabbitMusic]

"Sorry seems to be the hardest word" is one of my most favorite Elton John songs! When Covid ends, and I go visit my friends in the UK, I am going to give you a hug, sir! 🐰❤️🎸🎶🤝✌️

[@mariettekoolhoven5578]

Very usefill tips. And you seem so charming and sweet! Really like a very kind and warm soul. Very nice to listen to

[@BetaDaysStudios]

It's useful to me Sir,I wish I could get in touch with you

[@Plafintarr]

Strong, bold statements are what make Noah Gundersen such a compelling songwriter to me. He means everything he writes 110%. Thanks for pointing this out! I'm gonna try to really state something in my next song!

[@Table-Top]

Thanks Martin . Can you do ELO Twilight? Thats genius songwriting imho.

[@yours_truly_]

funny that one of my favorite chorus is "well i guess that i just don't know, well i guess that i just don't know" from Heroin.

[@PHNPressPlay]

🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥👑

[@rockmackenzie995]

I love to see your cross..

[@jevaunnybarton2986]

What is really the structure in writing a chorus using first ,second and third person? When do u use them?

[@sidrasiddiqui2625]

Where do broken hearts go ~one Direction

[@jeffj6997]

HI There, Love your videos!... The link to your 7 step song planner does not seem to be working.. Can you help? Thanks!

[@Sean-cr7xk]

5:06 James Blunt once said the song is about a stalker so...yeah😅 Great video though, very helpfull

[@artistsingerwriterproducer8288]

Invest etc please

[@johnduggan7896]

I assume others here are songwriters. Where do you put your music? I'd love to hear what others are writing.

[@mineralt]

John Duggan thanks for asking; music.apple.com/us/album/circus/1488263764?i=1488263947

[@JackTheRabbitMusic]

I just started sharing my songs in Dec 2019. I have a KZbin channel. I am not sure what the next step is. Cool that you asked this! 🐰❤️🎸🎶🤝✌️

[@mineralt]

What have you got to share John?

[@JackTheRabbitMusic]

@@mineralt I checked your site out...really nice man!! 🐰❤️🎸🎶🤝✌️

[@johnduggan7896]

@@mineralt I just upload on my YT channel

[@artistsingerwriterproducer8288]

Regards

[@acharich]

Brilliant stuff Sir..! 🎯 Always interesting actually understanding what makes songs work, being that most times, I just write them intuitively.. 🔥 A lot of what u are saying lines up perfectly.. 💯 - @Acharich

[@hectorvelazcoh]

Hello. The link is not working

[@CaryChilton]

plz break down billboard 1 songs on your channel

[@LarsStroke]

First Video I watch from you. Subscribed! So many Songwriters I can't listen to...

[@oldunclemick]

Choruses are it for me. Most verses are blah-di-blah (I apologize to those who pour their souls into their verses). Songs with verses that catch my attention often have an arrangement/performance that makes it impossible ignore them. Examples are: Bad Guy, Bohemian Rhapsody (there is no chorus!). Stand and deliver. Life's been good. Tainted love (Soft Cell version). Money (Pink Floyd). Money (the other one and the Flying Lizards version because it's the _only_ one where the singer's attitude is consonant with the lyrics).

[@BlueBullsBusiness]

How I contact you Sir I want to give you Song

[@ethangray7392]

I been writing poetry for awhile now and I'm trying to get to lyrical writing yet I can't write a song to save my life.

[@princelazavevo1864]

Pleasant good morning to you sir i am prince from Jamaica i enjoy watching your video I'm struggling to write chorus and verses i just need some help i like reggae music and dancehall I'm interested to learn

[@Mannyindahouse]

It’s hard to start writing the chorus when you’ve put the title in the prechorus. I want to avoid repeating lines in other sections.

[@ivorycybernetics]

hi! the url in the in link seems to be broken..?

[@songwritingacademy]

Hi the link has now been updated, please go to thesongwritingacademy.co.uk/planner to download it!

[@TheDrfrankenstien]

@thesongwritingacademy is this website no longer active? It directs me to buying a domain name.

[@songwritingacademy]

Our website has now been updated! Please go to thesongwritingacademy.co.uk/ to find out more

[@handicappuccino8491]

Verse one My rage very intense even though my philosophy was complete nonsense Are used to embrace toxic masculinity but eventually Accepted The fact that that it would not benefit me - [ ] Corus and Just like how Cupid spread love everywhere I will show all my dates well that I hold dear I may not know what my type is yet but I promise you will find I am left evil chapter that Really far behind - [ ] Verse two - [ ] I wanted To rule in a way that is extremely krool and am handicapped so I was defeated from the start but that doesn’t matter now that had total A change of heart - [ ] Bridge - [ ] I was very persistent even though I was inconsistent even though I hated romance I wanted to move to Paris France That makes no sense - [ ] Corus - [ ] so just like how Cupid spread love everywhere I’ll treat all my dates well that I hold dear I may not know what my type is yet but I promise That I left that evil chapter really far behind The cord progression is GaGDA

[@lukerossi8676]

If you’re thinking of writing a chorus using the advice in this video then maybe you should use it to write a chorus.

[@jaredSPC]

Questions we we all fall asleep where do we go??

[@drk4192]

Please upload it again.nits not available

[@boertush]

The statement of "you're beautiful" wasn't that clear because according James Blunt himself the song is about stalking your ex in the underground while being high

[@buffyguy10]

I love it how they talk so much about it but they never show any examples...

[@david.v7605]

It's annoying

[@eden704]

My problem is that I can write a verse and a pre chorus but when I get to the chorus I just can't make it into a melodic tune

[@bjarnyg]

so how many great choruses have you written?;-)

[@IceBlaqBeatsOfficial]

✅💓💝💕💝💓✅

[@poesypoet]

A child talks with her father it was terrorists were told the child she doesn't know it off to war now Dad must go but before this time is over there is something he must say there something he must tell his child that breaks his heart today remember me when I'm no longer with you remember me then and these words that i say remember me now and how much i love you remember me please that's all that i pray a bride walks with her father down the isle now they both stroll as they arrive up at the alter the time has come to let her go there is something he must tell her before he gives his little girl away and as a tear rolled down his cheek he spoke these words that day remember me when I'm no longer with you remember me then and these words that i say remember me now and how much i love you remember me please that's all that i pray a family walks to the grave site no one talks along the way hand in hand they walk together there silent sorrow shared today as they gather at the headstone through teary eyes they can see carved in stone each one remembers their fathers eulogy remember me when I'm no longer with you remember me then and these words that i say remember me now and how much i love you remember me please that's all that i pray

[@austromnot6740]

did you write this?-

[@poesypoet]

@@austromnot6740 Yes I wrote it you can read more at poesypoet.com

[@leroydanny4072]

Can i use this for a song in the future ??? If you don’t have a use for it

[@poesypoet]

@@leroydanny4072 Did Leonardo lend out the Mona Lisa like some two bit side show. No harm in asking but that's a ridiculous request to ask a song writer "If you don't have a use for it" Did Leonardo paint the Mona Lisa just for the fun of it. Just to make myself clear no you can't use my lyrics unless your willing to purchase them.

[@LarsStroke]

But unfortunately the link below does not work anymore :-(

[@unpolishedyablo3140]

what do you think about rocking for a little while wouldve been a banger too hahaha

[@andrewdenine1685]

Great video but I dissagre with obvious point and direction. Some songs don't mean anything and were made for that verry purpose to give the listeners a blank canvas so they have there own point of view about the peice. Look at the beatles people too this day argue what some of those songs are about.

[@prudencemuchada7424]

Thanks

[@i_am_an_idiot_but]

This has to do with abstract lyrics too, like that of Radiohead. To most people, their lyrics might be strange and meaningless, but the purpose was for people to find their own meaning.

[@jeffreymorris2673]

Google "The BPM's Jeff Morris Official Video." It's a great biker song. I wrote the lyrics for this song. Tell me what you think of the chorus of the song.

[@Michaeltison7]

Another tip for people if u really want to make a hit everytime just put your chorus in the beginning of the song and people won’t give af about what u say next😂

[@teachingallchildrenacademy2648]

Its called a ballad, not a "I love you song".

[@officialWWM]

Don't bore us, get to the chorus...