Best Bridge Sections: Bringing New Vibes to the Track
New key, who this?
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Best Bridge Sections: Bringing New Vibes to the Track · Source: Goddard on the Go / Alamy Stock Photo
Bridge sections are where songs evolve. Let’s find out how they make tracks unforgettable, helping to get listeners hooked.
Best Bridge Sections:
What is a Bridge in Music?
It’s all well and good talking about them, but what exactly is a bridge section in music? By definition, a bridge provides a break from the usual ebb and flow of the song.
Usually placed after the 2nd chorus, the bridge section delivers a new flavour, in the form of perhaps a new key, rhythm, or lyrical themes. Following the bridge, you’ll usually find another chorus that concludes the song.
Across the history of rock music, there have been many iconic bridge sections that totally switch things up. Let’s look at what makes them so great.
Something – The Beatles
Okay, so our first pick comes from The Fab Four, and was the brainchild of the quiet Beatle, George Harrison. This hauntingly beautiful track was the 2nd track on the legendary Abbey Road Album.
This specific bridge arrives right on queue after the 2nd chorus, and modulates from C major to A major. Providing an uplifting shift from the rest of the track. After eight bars, we then go back into C major for the guitar solo. It actually borrows the chords from ‘While My Guitar Gently Weeps‘.
These eight bars are very important, as this isn’t technically a bridge section. We could also describe it as a middle eight. Whereby, we have a string of eight bars in the middle of the track that acts as a different section comapred to the rest of the song. It does what it says on the tin!
Baba O’Riley – The Who
Next up, we’re jumping into the 1970s. This drug-propelled performance in Shepperton Studios is almost as distinctive as the bridge section of this song.
Played in the key of F major, with a capo on the first fret of Townshend’s Les Paul, the lyric ‘Don’t cry…’ sets the tone for a new section. This bridge takes a dynamic break from the previously epic and loud instrumental triumph.
From a listening perspective, what heralds the start of this bridge is the change in vocal and overall volume. This bridge is then succeeded by another verse with Rodger Daltrey back on the mic.
Bohemian Rhapsody – Queen
Thirdly, we’ve got this headbanging journey thanks to the brilliance that is Queen. Now, I can already hear you typing away, as this song doesn’t technically have a bridge section! Let’s see what it does instead, and why it still makes this list.
Bohemian Rhapsody is essentially three songs glued together, comprising of an opening Ballad, followed by an Operatic section, also featuring Brian May’s guitar work in a Hard Rock section. The purpose of a bridge is to make a change in the melodic metre. Therefore, isn’t the whole song just loads of bridge sections?
Not really, but all the same, it’s a perfect example to listen to. And speaking of nearly perfect examples, *Thomann has a wonderful Red Special copy. Ideal for stepping into the world of Queen from a playing perspective.
Comfortably Numb – Pink Floyd
A lot of bands have their own Bohemian Rhapsody, and for Pink Floyd, that’s Comfortably Numb. You could also say that groups also have their own Comfortably Numb, and for Queen that’s Rhapsody.
Likewise, this bridge section isn’t actually a bridge at all. However, we progress from a dark verse in Bm, followed by a bright and distinct chorus in D major. The two themes contrast so much, it has all of the hallmarks of a great bridge section. ‘There is, no pain, you are receding…’. This imagery completely contradicts the feel of the verse, and sets us up for one of the most legendary guitar solos ever.
What do you need to get closer to that Gilmour sound? As long as you’ve got a *Stratocaster, you’re at least halfway there. Although there are some other goodies that you could also get your hands on:
Suspicious Minds – Elvis
Concluding our look at the best bridge sections, we’ve got one of my all-time favourites. How can you not like The King?
What makes this section definitive and different is the shift in metre. We go from a regular 4/4 time signature and make the swinging shift to 6/8. Moreover, the dynamics change. The instrumentation gets quieter, whereas Elvis’ vocals power through our speakers. Its effective and powerful.
So special that the isolated vocal from this bridge was used in the trailers for the 2022 Baz Luhrmann film.
Honourable Mentions:
Videos:
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