Song structure / lyrics structur

If I ignore the age old folk songs, where storytelling was leading, I think that the western tradition is pretty much:
- couplet
- couplet
- bridge/lift
- refrain/chorus

- couplet
- couplet
- bridge/lift
- refrain/chorus

- bridge/lift
- refrain/chorus

I still call them refrains because Sandy Denny told me so, but I think in da Kitchen chorus is the more common word?

I used to do a Roy Orbison now and then.

- 5 or 6 times a couplet
- 1 chorus at the end

Yesterday evening I did a Roy Orbison all of a sudden and I was quite pleased with the result.

I was once asked about the difference between Elvis and Roy Orbison. My answer was, that Roy made 20 song that I liked very much, and Elvis made 20 I didn’t like very much.

By which I mean that I seriously value Roy’s work. But I am not too great a fan of his.

Now, here’s the question of course:
Who does a Roy Orbison now and then?
And also do you do that because that’s what you are after, or does it pop out that way?

Kind regards, Gus

Hi @LePlongeur

I think Roy Orbison probably didn't know or pay attention to the rules. To me, he starts with an emotion. The only song of his I know how to play is "Pretty Woman" - which has no chorus. How can it be a classic without a chorus?

Well, I like the guitar riff. Also, I think every man alive can identify with the song - Hey - look at me! I think it also appeals to women because it's sung to them.

Although I think Elvis probably never really wrote a song (he's given writing credit so the Colonel could get a piece of the publishing, I think)

I still try to channel my inner Elvis once in a while though 

In answer to your question though, I do have a song, that may not be a song by definition - but yet, no matter what version of it I record and post on SC it has done well (at least by my scale) It's titled "Sing A Song For Me"

Vince
 

Who does a Roy Orbison now and then?
And also do you do that because that’s what you are after, or does it pop out that way?

I have to admit that I mostly do "Leonard Scapers"....which means that they always just kind of pop out that way as I don't often give much thought to actual song structure. 

I still try to channel my inner Elvis once in a while though 

Ah....I knew it, @Vince   

 

Thank you
@Vince
@Leonard Scaper
That you took the time to think about it.

The comparison Roy/Elvis was nothing more than that. And my inner Elvis likes peanut butter sandwiches too.
As in value for the music and the way it developed. They had more in common:
- The same hair color
- And the same car wax
to make it shine.

I was wondering if Roy’s way of working had anything to do with (certainly in his Monument period) the repeated instruction to combine to songs and make one of them. And even that method is considered more of a story than of a truth.

I’ve asked him of course, but his diction is deteriorating lately.
Maybe it’s meant to remain a mystery for me.

Will you please shine your light upon this once more?
Thank you!
Kind regards, Gus