The Basics: Chorus and Verse

Most basic songs are made up of two parts: CHORUS and VERSE.

The CHORUS is the main idea of the song...it tells what the song is about. It is exactly the same every time it is repeated, usually after every verse.

The VERSES tell the story of the song.

Visit the Listening Room to hear and read some examples of Verses and Choruses in songs.

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The Contest: I Wrote a Hit Song!

Please note: the I Wrote a Hit Song! Contest is on hold for part of 2012 while we reimagine/revamp the website. Thank you for your patience.

 I Wrote a Hit Song! CONTEST: If you write a song and you'd like to have the lyrics published on SongwritingforKids.com, please send:

1. The song lyrics
2. Your name
3. Your age
4. Your mailing address (for your prize!)

You can either send this information by email or by snailmail to:

Josephine Cameron
PO Box 301
Brunswick, Maine 04011

Each quarter (Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter), I will pick a winner and post the song on the I Wrote a Hit Song! webpage! Winners are chosen randomly and receive a special treat from Songwriting for Kids. You must be age 12 or younger to enter. You can use the ideas on this page or use one of the Songwriting Challenges for inspiration. Happy writing!

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Writing Assignment: Color Songs

Colors are everywhere, and they are everywhere in songs, too. Ever heard of "White Christmas" or "Lavender's Blue" or "Yellow Submarine"? For this assignment, I want you to write a song using colors. You can do this three different ways (or make up your own version!):

1. O Solo Mio: Choose only one color and only one thing that is that color (blue eyes or green grass or red socks, etc.). Then write an entire song about that one thing.

2. One Plus One Is Two: Choose only one color, but add something new in each verse that builds on the first.

EXAMPLE: If the color is GREEN...
VERSE 1 could be about green grass...
VERSE 2 about a green frog in the green grass...
VERSE 3 about green slime on the green frog in the green grass...you get the picture.

The CHORUS in this version would be about the color:

Green Green Green The best color I've ever seen You will know just what I mean When I sing of the frog and the slime and the grass so green

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Activity: Balloon Maracas

You can’t have a song without rhythm, right? When you clap your hands to the beat, that’s Rhythm. Here’s a fun way to keep the beat…

You’ll need:

• A balloon (not blown up yet)


• 10 or 12 seeds, beans, or pieces of rice (you might want to experiment with different seeds, beans, & rice…each one will make a different sound!)

Before you blow up the balloon, carefully drop the seeds into the balloon. Then blow it up about as big as your head and tie the end. Ta-da! Your own balloon maraca.

• Shake it.


• Does it sound like rain? (if you used rice, it might)


• Or thunder? (if you used heavier beans)


• Try to shake it along to the beat of a song.


• Try to sing one of your own songs while shaking the maraca to the beat.

You’ve got RHYTHM!

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Writing Assignment: A Picture's Worth 1000 Words

Sometimes, songs just pop into our heads when we aren't even trying. Other times, it can be hard to come up with an idea for a song. One good way to come up with an idea for a song is to look at a picture, and try to tell a story about that picture. Remember that a story has a BEGINNING, MIDDLE, and END. Your song should have these three elements too. Can you write or sing a song about one of these pictures?
Photo by Miikajapan.


Photo by Heartlover1717


Photo by Peevee.

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