Those who truly improve at their craft don’t fall into the trap of repeating their strengths or practicing what they are good at. Masters lean into their weaknesses and constantly improve upon them. I confess, I have neglected song structure and composition for it has not been my strength or area of interest in the process. Therefore, I wanted to take a new approach to this area of songwriting and composition.
I was inspired after reading Robert Greene’s book on Mastery and the Walter Isaacson biography of Leonardo da Vinci – the value of an apprenticeship, and eventually internalization and individual adaptation of the work to your own.
Relating it to Japanese, there’s a concept called 守破離 (Shu-Ha-Ri), which consists of three kanji: 守 (Shu) meaning ‘to protect’ or ‘to follow,’ 破 (Ha) meaning ‘to break’ or ‘to diverge,’ and 離 (Ri) meaning ‘to separate’ or ‘to transcend.’ This describes the stages of learning: first by imitating the masters (守), then breaking away (破), and finally achieving personal expression (離). This method is relevant for musicians, especially when analyzing song structure to improve their own compositions. By studying how great songs are built, we can better understand why they work and apply those principles in new ways.
I will break down the structure and chord progressions of three songs: “Here Comes the Sun” by The Beatles, “I Feel Love” by Donna Summer, and “Jesus of Suburbia” by Green Day. Each represents a different style; but they follow fundamental songwriting principles that I hope to learn from.
1. Here Comes the Sun – The Beatles (Classic Rock/Pop Structure)
Song Structure:
- Intro: Acoustic guitar riff
- Verse 1: Soft vocals, building instrumentation
- Chorus: Uplifting with harmonized vocals
- Verse 2: Variations in melody and instrumentation
- Bridge: Dynamic contrast
- Chorus: Return to main uplifting theme
- Outro: Repeats motif, fades out
Chord Progression:
- Verse: | D | G | A | D |
- Chorus: | G | A | D | G | A | D |
- Bridge: | Bm | E | A | D |
** Variations:**
- The song modulates between different keys, creating a sense of movement.
- The iconic D–G–A progression is common in folk/pop and creates a bright, open sound.
- The bridge introduces Bm and E, adding emotional contrast.
Key Takeaways:
- The use of major chords and melodic movement creates a feeling of hope. The sun will rise again I suppose…
- The structure is simple but effective, with dynamic variations. Simple is usually best. Dynamics are a long-forgotten motif in modern music, more on that later.
- The intro motif returns throughout, reinforcing familiarity. Repetition works because it reinforces musical ideas, making them memorable and emotionally impactful.
2. I Feel Love – Donna Summer (Classic Dance/Deep House)
Song Structure:
- Intro: Synth arpeggio loop
- Verse 1: Ethereal vocals over simple beat
- Chorus: Repeated vocal hook with layered synths
- Verse 2: Minor variations to maintain interest
- Breakdown: Stripped-down moment before build-up
- Outro: Fades with looping arpeggio
Chord Progression:
- Repeating pattern: | C | G | F |
Variations:
- The C–G–F progression is looped throughout, with variations in arrangement and dynamics.
- The synth arpeggios create harmonic movement without changing chords.
- Subtle layering and automation prevent repetition from feeling stagnant.
Key Takeaways:
- Repetitive structures work if layers evolve over time. Put the dancefloor in a trance, but don’t lull them to sleep.
- Simple chord progressions can be effective in dance music. Again, simple is better for most pop or dance tracks.
- The interplay between rhythm and melody is crucial. This is harder to make concrete, time and experience will lead to better production and composition decisions.
3. Jesus of Suburbia – Green Day (Multi-Section Rock Epic)
Song Structure:
This song is a suite with five distinct sections:
- “Jesus of Suburbia” – Anthemic opening
- “City of the Damned” – Darker tone, new chord progression
- “I Don’t Care” – Aggressive punk energy
- “Dearly Beloved” – Melodic contrast, piano-driven
- “Tales of Another Broken Home” – Climax and resolution
Chord Progression – Simplified Version (Main Themes):
- Part 1: | G | D | Em | C |
- Part 2: | C | G | D | Em |
- Part 3: | D | A | Bm | G |
- Part 4: | C | F | G | C |
- Part 5: | G | D | C | G |
Variations:
- Each section modulates slightly, reflecting the emotional shifts.
- Some sections use power chords, emphasizing a punk rock feel, but also eliminating overtones which brings the attention back to the vocals and story of the lyrics.
- The transition between parts creates an evolving story. It’s a 9-minute song, but does it feel long?
Key Takeaways:
- A song can tell a story through structure.
- Changing keys and tempos can make long songs engaging. Harder to implement unless you record with a live band, but this is common in many famous rock tunes like ‘Gimme Shelter’ and even some disco tracks. The tempo increases with energy and vice versa.
- Dynamic movements within a song can create a cinematic experience. Many modern productions tend to overlook the importance of dynamic range. Have we forgotten about loudness contrast?
Applying this concept to your favorite music and songwriting process
- Study the structure of songs you admire. Learn their patterns.
- Experiment with variations. Use similar progressions but change instrumentation or tempo.
- Keep dynamics in mind. Build tension and release to maintain listener interest.
- Think in movements. Even in short songs, sections should feel distinct but connected.
Begin with 守 – Shu, copying existing structures.
Gradually reach 破 – Ha, modifying them to preference.
Arrive at 離 – Ri, re-create something totally unique.
Learning from the masters is a crucial step along the path to mastering your own sound.
Space Forest Cafe 