Glossary

Lyrical Themes

Boasting: Lyrics with excessive pride and self-satisfaction about ones

achievements, possessions, or abilities.

Freestyle: Lyrics with an improvised vibe. Typically feature minimal

repetition.

Historical/Biographical:Lyrics that account someones life and/or

reference historical events.

Hooking Up:Lyrics that relate to sex.

Inspiration/Empowerment/Perseverance: Lyrics that reect condence,

overcoming adversity, and/or motivation.

Introspection: Lyrics that examine ones own thoughts or feelings.

Lifestyle: Lyrics that reect the way one lives.

Love/Relationships: Lyrics that pertain to relationships between

individuals. Includes (but is not limited to) platonic, romantic, or familial
relationships.

Novelty: Lyrics that are unusual and/or comical.

Partying/Living it Up: Lyrics that pertain to social situations and/or a

carefree attitude.

Religion: Lyrics that have religious connotations.

Song Sections
Song Sections

Intro: A section other than a verse or chorus that begins the song.

Verse: A section that communicates the songs narrative (story). It usually

contains a similar vocal melody between occurrences but dierent lyrics.

Pre-Chorus: A section that functions to set-up the chorus or primary

sectional payo (in songs that dont contain a chorus).

Post Chorus: A classication of a vocal break, instrumental break, or

another section that follows the chorus and houses a unique or recycled
instrumental and/or vocal hook.

Chorus:A section that provides thesummation of a songs narrative.

Typically the most infectious, engaging, and memorable part of the song.

Bridge: A section that provides a pronounced vocal, musical, and/or

energy level departure relative to other sections in the song and features
new lyrics that provide a development in the narrative. Typically only
occurs once in a song, though its elements may be recycled in other
sections (e.g. outro).

Bridge Surrogate: In songs that do not contain a bridge, a section of the

song (vocal break, instrumental break, or another section) that provides a
pronounced musical and/or vocal departure relative to other sections in
the song in lieu of a bridge.

Instrumental Break: A section that features an instrumental hook or solo

as its focal point, and is typically longer than four bars. Can contain
vocals, but they are typically minimal.

Vocal Break: A section that features a vocal hook as its focal point. Can
include elements of the chorus, song title, proper and/or nonsense lyrics,
and does not progress the narrative.

Outro: A unique section that concludes a song. Can be composed of

recycled material from other song sections (chorus, bridge, etc.), unique
material that doesnt appear anywhere else in the song, or a combination
of both.

Turnaround: A section four bars or shorter that provides a transition

between sections.

IntroCharacteristics
IntroCharacteristics

Artist Plug: The statement of the name of a primary or featured artist.

Backing Music: Some or all of the accompaniment of the intro carries

over into the section that follows.

Multifaceted: New elements are added to and/or removed from the mix
as the section progresses.

Narration: Features spoken vocals.

Sparse: Features minimal elements relative to other sections of the song

OutroCharacteristics

Artist Plug: The statement of the name of a primary or featured artist.

Accompaniment Carryover: Contains essentially the same

accompaniment as the preceding section.

Breakdown/Sparse: Features minimal elements relative to the preceding

section or other sections of the song.

Multifaceted: New elements are added to and/or removed from the mix
as the section progresses.

Narration: Features spoken vocals.

Ending Types

Abrupt: A short, sudden ending.

Sustained: Concludes with a held vocal or instrumental note or chord.

Resolved: Ends on the tonic of the song.

False: Unexpected and/or unresolved.

Fadeout: Backing music and/or vocals continue as the volume decreases

gradually to nil.
gradually to nil.

General

Recycled: Material that is utilized in other sections of the song.

New: Material that is unique to the section.

Breakdown: Features minimal elements compared to the preceding

section, or other like-sections in the song. Can correspond to part or all of
the section.