The Unexpected Secret Behind this Popular Song
Many songwriters think that there are only a few traditional song forms which they can use to write with. However, the truth is that song form is modular – you can write a song arranged in any way you wish. To help you understand how to do this, we take a look at “Do You Realize??” by The Flaming Lips, and analyse what exactly makes this song get stuck in your head.
This article is a summarised transcript of our video “The Songwriting Secret Hidden Inside this Hit Song”. Click here to watch the video for more details, explanations and examples.
An Overview of the Song
When you listen to “Do You Realize??” by The Flaming Lips, one of the first things you’ll notice is that the first section you hear in the song isn’t a verse. Instead, it sounds more like a chorus.
In order to understand this, we first have to take a look at a few key details. For one, the key of the song is C Major. This means that the home chord – also known as the tonic chord – of the key is C Major. Throughout the first section of the song, C Major is used a total of 3 times. Each time it is used, it creates a sense of unambiguous “confidence” in the lyrical message, which further enforces the idea that the first section is a chorus.
Download our free PDF here to learn more about chord functions within a diatonic system:
On the other hand, a song’s title serves to deliver its central message, and give us an idea of what the song is about. What’s more, a song’s title is often used as the refrain or chorus line. Since the first section of the song repeatedly uses the line “Do you realize” – which is the song’s title – it further leads us to believe that the first section is a chorus.
The Functions of Song Sections
Whilst it’s uncommon for songs to start with a chorus, it’s certainly not something unheard of. However, in order to modify conventional song forms, we must first understand the purpose of different song sections. Below is a list of song sections, and their respective functions:
- Chorus: Delivers the central message of the song.
- Verse: Offers us some context or back story, perhaps developing some of the characters.
- Pre-Chorus: Sits between the verse and the chorus. It also creates tension that can then be resolved by the chorus.
- Solo: A chance to create contrast and feature instrumental improvisation.
- Post-Chorus: Extends and maintains the energy of the chorus, sometimes introducing additional hook material.
- Bridge: Versatile section that offers a chance to create musical contrast, provide different lyrical perspectives or pivot the narrative.
- Interlude: Creates buffers between sections and provides opportunities to feature melodic or harmonic elements.
- Intro: Sets the mood and creates first impressions.
- Outro: Leaves the listeners with a final thought or feeling.
Every song is made out of a combination of these different sections. As a songwriter, we encourage you to think of these sections as “coloured blocks” to be moved around and arranged in different orders. We can also move these sections higher or lower to help us indicate dynamic changes in a song. So, blocks can be placed higher to denote a louder section, and lower to denote a softer section.
Here’s what it would look like if we used this system to analyse “Believe” by Imagine Dragons:
Here’s another example, this time analysing “Don’t Let Me Down” by The Beatles:
Analysing “Do You Realize??” by The Flaming Lips
Below is what it looks like when we break down the song form of “Do You Realize??” by The Flaming Lips with the earlier system of coloured blocks:
What’s interesting about the structure of this song is that there are no verses at all. The entire song is constructed purely of choruses, instrumental sections, and one line pre-choruses. There are no verses in the song.
The reason this works is because the song is structured in a “Question” and “Answer” sort of manner. For example, Chorus 1 focuses on using the title as a question by asking if the listener realises specific things. On the other hand, Chorus 2 focuses on using the word “realise” in the context of a statement.
In this Song Exploder interview with songwriters Wayne Coyne and Steven Drozd, they describe how they specifically wanted to write a song which worked with the word “realise”. They had previously written a song which ended with “realise”. However, they felt like it wasn’t nailed, and wrote “Do You Realize??” as a way of redoing that.
Practical Methods of Application
Now that we’ve discussed song form, song sections, and an overview of the song, here are some things you can try in your own songwriting process:
- Break down the forms of songs you love or find interesting and listen to them with the intention of mapping out the sections. Then, observe the arrangement of these sections.
- Consider the functions or the roles these sections are performing in carrying the song forward and supporting the central message.
- If you’re not already doing it, start collecting titles and refrain lines – keep a separate book or folder dedicated only to these special lines or phrases.
Not only can you focus on writing the chorus first, you can also experiment with placing the chorus first in your arrangement.
Conclusion: The Unexpected Secret Behind this Popular Song
To summarise, “Do You Realize??” is a song comprising two different choruses, both implying similar things. Chorus 1 sets up the question, whilst Chorus 2 delivers potential answers. However, both of them heavily feature the title and refrain line. Most importantly, this song breaks conventional song form by writing a song which is essentially one giant chorus.
This teaches us that song form isn’t a fixed construct. Thus, songwriters should strive to view song form as song sections arranged in specific order. There isn’t any “right” order – there is only the order which best suits the needs of your song.If you would like more details, explanations and examples, then be sure to check out the video now.