One cool thing about writing songs is that you wind up becoming very aware of how a song is constructed, and having that awareness makes you appreciate music more. Also, it's fun to think about hooks, licks and other aspects of a song that make it great or not.
One aspect of a song that I often think about a lot, both when I'm writing and listening, is the middle eight. I first learned of this term, "middle eight," through the Beatles. In interviews, John Lennon would sometimes say that he had written the middle eight to some of Paul's songs and vice versa.
But the term itself to me was so weird—"middle eight." I knew what a chorus was, and I knew what a bridge was, but what the heck was a "middle eight"?
Well, basically, a middle eight is a bridge. However, it's a specific type of bridge. (Just to be clear, the "bridge" is the part of the song where the melody changes. It usually occurs when the piece is three-fourths finished and literally acts as a bridge to the end of the song.)
A middle eight is a bridge that (usually) lasts eight measures. Hence, middle eight. (Oh, and just in case you were wondering, there are four beats in one measure. So, for example, one-two-three-four, one-two-three-four would be two measures. A middle eight lasts eight of those.)
Anyway, I love middle eights because I love the part of the song where there is a departure, a change, a release, something new. Sure, the main melody is important, and of course, a hooky refrain is important, too. But there is something special about the middle eight.
And maybe you can come to appreciate the art of the middle eight as well?
Each of the songs below has an excellent middle eight.
Enjoy!
The middle eight begins at the part, "When I'm home everything seems to be
right..."
The middle eight begins at, "Have you ever heard the wolf cry to the blue corn moon..."
"Each time we meet love..."
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