When you listen to a song, there’s often a part that sticks with you—the repeating line that feels familiar each time it comes around. This is called a refrain, a short, memorable phrase that appears throughout the music.
Whether in classical, folk, pop, or jazz, refrains are used to create emotional impact and make songs more engaging. If you’ve ever heard a tune and found yourself humming the same piece over and over, that’s the power of a well-crafted refrain.
As someone passionate about songwriting, I’ve noticed how a refrain helps shape the musical form and gives a song structure. Think of it as a guiding element in a track—something that pulls the listener back to a familiar space.
Even big Grammy Award-winning hits use refrains to make their lyrics unforgettable. At GetMuzeek, where we focus on everything related to music theory, we often discuss how songwriters can use refrains effectively. Whether you’re just getting started with songwriting or looking to refine your skills, understanding how to use refrains can take your process to the next level.
What is a Refrain in Music?
A refrain is a repeated part of a song that helps create a strong emotional connection with listeners. It usually carries the main message of the lyrics and stands out because of its memorable melody.
This recurring section can appear multiple times in a piece of music, reinforcing the core idea of the story being told. Whether in folk, opera, or a pop track, a refrain ties the song together and keeps the audience engaged.
Some of the biggest hits, including tracks by the Beatles, use this technique to leave a lasting impact. The chorus of a song often works as its refrain, repeating in a way that makes it instantly recognizable.
The word Refrain comes from old French, where “Refraindre” means “to repeat.” In pop music, this technique is a key part of songwriting, as it strengthens both the written lyrics and the melody. Songs like “Call Me Maybe” by Carly Rae Jepsen are great examples, where the chorus has a different rhythmic, harmonic, and melodic feel compared to the verses that come before or after it.
Because of these unique musical elements, refrains help create cohesion and make a song easy to remember. Whether you’re writing your first song or studying music theory, understanding refrains will give you a better grasp of how great songs are structured.
Why Are Refrains Important?
A refrain is what makes a song stick in your mind long after you’ve heard it. Think of any classic hit, and the first thing you’ll probably remember is its repeated line. Take Hey Jude for example—most people will either recall the famous “Hey Jude…” intro or the “Na na na na-na-na-naaaa” part at the end.
This is because John Lennon and Paul McCartney understood how a strong refrain could make a song truly memorable. Without a catchy hook, even a great melody can be difficult to remember. That’s why songwriters often use a refrain with a repeating melody and lyrics that the audience can easily sing along to.
But a refrain is more than just a way to make a song catchy. It helps create structural cohesion, ensuring that different parts of the song fit together smoothly. It also enhances the emotional impact, reinforcing the message and making the audience feel more connected to the storytelling.
A great refrain doesn’t just help people remember a song—it strengthens its narrative, making it more powerful and lasting. Whether you’re listening to a Beatles song or another classic hit, the refrain is often the heart of the song, pulling everything together and giving it meaning.
Is a Refrain the Same as a Chorus?
Many people think a refrain and a chorus are the same, but that’s not always true. A refrain is a repeated line in a song that stays the same each time it appears. It often holds the main idea of the lyrics and helps make the music more catchy.
In contrast, a chorus is a larger section of a song that typically includes multiple lines and might have slight variations in melody or words. For example, in “Yellow Submarine”, the chorus also acts as a refrain because it repeats exactly.
However, in a song like “Hotel California”, the chorus slightly changes each time, meaning it is not a refrain, but the first line—”Welcome to the Hotel California”—remains constant, making it a refrain.
Similarly, in Rihanna’s “We Found Love”, the refrain repeats without any change, reinforcing the melody and emotional impact of the song. So, while a refrain can be a chorus, not all choruses are refrains.
What’s The Difference Between A Refrain And A Chorus?
A refrain and a chorus may seem similar, but they serve different roles in a song structure. A chorus is a separate section that repeats the same melody and lyrics, often standing out as the most memorable part of the song.
In contrast, a refrain is a short phrase or lyrical idea that repeats within a verse instead of being a standalone section. Many classic songs use a refrain to create a strong hook, making the music more engaging.
For example, in the Beatles’ Let It Be, the phrase “Let it be” acts as a refrain, appearing at the end of each verse. Meanwhile, in Journey’s Don’t Stop Believin’, the chorus is a full, repeated section with the words “Don’t stop believing”. Both elements make a song memorable, but a refrain blends into the verse, while a chorus stands as its section.
Verse-Chorus
A verse-chorus structure follows an ABAB pattern, where A represents the verse and B is the chorus. In this structure, the verses have changing lyrics, while the chorus remains the same throughout the song.
Many popular songs use this format because it creates a clear, repetitive pattern that listeners can easily remember. A pre-chorus may also appear before the chorus, adding a smooth transition.
AABA Form
Unlike the verse-chorus format, the AABA form follows a repeating A section, introduces a different B section, and then returns to A. This style is common in jazz music and older rock and roll songs.
The last A section is sometimes called the shout chorus, where the melody is played with extra energy. A famous example of this is Journey’s Don’t Stop Believin’, which follows this structure.
Refrain Vs Chorus
A chorus is a separate section with a distinct melody and repeated lyrics, while a refrain is a short, repeating phrase that appears inside a verse. For example, in the Beatles’ Let It Be, the words “Let it be” serve as a refrain that repeats within the verse.
Meanwhile, in Journey’s Don’t Stop Believin’, the full chorus repeats as an independent section. A refrain helps create a strong hook, making a song more memorable, while a chorus serves as the main emotional and musical peak of the song.
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Can a Song Work Without a Chorus?
Not every song needs a chorus to be memorable. Some songs rely on a refrain, a repeated line that appears at the end of each verse instead of a full chorus section.
A great example is The Police’s hit, Every Breath You Take, where the phrase “I’ll be watching you” acts as a refrain, reinforcing the song’s theme without a traditional chorus. This approach keeps the song structure simple while still making the lyrics catchy and engaging.
In genres like folk and jazz, songs often follow an AABA structure, where the B section introduces a new idea, and the refrain brings back familiarity.
Since a refrain is usually a short, repeated phrase, it helps listeners connect with the melody and lyrics even if there is no chorus. This technique allows a song to feel unified without needing a separate chorus section, proving that repetition can be just as powerful in different forms.
How To Use a Refrain in Your Music
Adding a refrain to your music makes your song more catchy and memorable. It helps to repeat a strong lyrical phrase that connects with the listener. Here’s how you can use it effectively:
- Write a strong melody – Your refrain should have a simple but memorable melody that fits smoothly into your song structure.
- Make it rhythmically interesting – A unique rhythm makes the refrain stand out and feel more natural.
- Repeat key phrases – The lyrics should reflect the main idea of the song, repeating in a way that feels natural and not forced.
To make your refrain impactful, focus on the emotional core of your song:
- Use poetic phrasing – A well-written lyrical phrase adds depth to your music.
- Place the refrain strategically – You can include it at the end of a verse, between sections, or even as a part of the chorus.
- Get inspiration from other musicians – Study how artists like Taylor Swift use a refrain to reinforce a song’s message.
A well-crafted refrain gives your song a powerful identity, making it more engaging for listeners.
More Example Refrains In Songs
Catchy Lines in “Call Me Maybe” by Carly Rae Jepsen
One of the most memorable parts of “Call Me Maybe” by Carly Rae Jepsen is its catchy refrain, which makes the song instantly recognizable. The phrase “Call me, maybe” is repeated throughout, reinforcing the main theme.
This lyrical hook is short, simple, and easy to sing along with, making it a perfect example of how a refrain can strengthen a song’s identity. Even if someone forgets the full chorus, they often remember this repeated phrase.
A refrain helps to create familiarity in a song, making it engaging and easy to recall. In this song, the refrain blends seamlessly into the melody and rhythm, adding to its overall musical flow. Many popular songs use this technique to keep listeners hooked.
By using a strong refrain, artists like Carly Rae Jepsen ensure that their music stays with the audience long after the song ends.
Why Did It Have To Be Me? by Abba
Not every pop song needs a true chorus to be memorable. In Abba’s song “Why Did It Have To Be Me?”, the main verses end with a refrain, repeating the lines, “It’s only natural, but why did it have to be me?” This phrase ties the piece together, even though there isn’t a separate chorus. Instead, the song relies on its repeating refrain to reinforce its theme.
Swing Low, Sweet Chariot
A great example of a refrain in music is the traditional song “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot.” This piece follows a strophic form, where each verse ends with the same lines.
The refrain “Coming for to carry me home” appears in the middle and at the end of every verse, making it a key part of the song’s structure. This technique is common in old traditional songs, as it helps create a familiar and memorable melody for listeners.
A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall – Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan’s folk songs are known for their deep storytelling and strong message. In A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall, the refrain appears at the end of each verse, repeating the song’s title.
This song form makes the lyrics more memorable and helps listeners connect to the meaning of the song. The repetition in the chorus gives the song an emotional impact, making it a timeless piece in music history.
The theme of the song is reinforced through its poetic phrasing and composition. The structure follows a pattern that guides the listener through vivid imagery and rhythm.
Bob Dylan masterfully blends melody and lyrics to create an unforgettable connection with his audience. His use of a refrain in this songwriting style makes the song more powerful, leaving a lasting impression.
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History of the Refrain
The word refrain comes from the Popular Latin term refringere and later from the Old French word refraindre, both meaning to repeat. In early poetry and music, a refrain was a repeated line, often at the end of a phrase, giving structure and emphasis.
A great example of this is Dylan Thomas’ poem, Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night, which uses repetition to create an emotional impact. In the 20th century, Tin Pan Alley popularized a standard song structure where a verse intro led to a 32-bar AABA structure, with the refrain being the main, memorable part. Classic songs like I Got Rhythm and My Funny Valentine followed this form, though the verse intro was often skipped in recordings.
With the rise of rock music, the meaning of refrain changed. The verse-chorus structure became more common, shifting focus to strong choruses rather than repeated lines within verses.
The introduction of noisy guitars and bands like Nickelback made the term refrain less popular in modern songwriting. However, the concept still exists, as many songs repeat a key line or phrase for emotional impact and familiarity.
Final Words
Understanding how a refrain works in a song can make a big difference in music composition. While some people may use the terms chorus and refrain interchangeably, they are not always the same.
A refrain is usually a short, repeated phrase within verses, while a chorus is a separate section with its melody and lyrics. No strict rules define how these elements must be used, but knowing their purpose helps craft a memorable song.
In songwriting, focusing on the listening experience is more important than debating terminology. Many great songs use a refrain to strengthen their structure and create a lasting impact.
Whether it’s part of an AABA song or a modern verse-chorus format, a well-placed refrain can make a song unforgettable. So, when writing, trust your instincts and let your music flow naturally.
That’s all! You can also check out 30 Most popular line dance songs of All time and 10 Best Depeche Mode Songs of All Time (Exclusive Guide).
Adam Smith is the Founder, writer, and news publisher of GetMuzeek, where he shares the latest updates, insights, and stories from the world of music. With a passion for uncovering fresh trends and delivering engaging content, Adam keeps readers informed and inspired.
