Lyrics can sometimes influence or force a change in the time signature of a song. This happens because the natural rhythm and phrasing of the lyrics may not fit neatly into the established time signature. When writing music, songwriters often find that the flow of the lyrics-such as the way syllables are stressed or the natural pauses in speech-may feel awkward or forced if constrained by a strict time signature. To accommodate the lyrical phrasing, they might change the time signature, add or remove beats, or use a combination of time signatures (e.g., switching between 4/4 and 3/4 within a song). A classic example of a time signature change driven by lyrics is “We Can Work It Out” by The Beatles. The song starts in a straightforward 4/4 time signature, which is typical for pop music. However, when the lyrics shift to the line "Life is very short, and there's no time," the time signature changes to 3/4 (waltz time). This change allows the music to emphasize the more reflective, almost urgent tone of the lyrics. Here's how it breaks down: Verse (4/4 time): "Try to see it my way, Do I have to keep on talking till I can't go on?" Bridge (3/4 time): "Life is very short, and there's no time, For fussing and fighting, my friend." The switch from 4/4 to 3/4 creates a sense of contrast and highlights the lyrical shift in mood, making that part of the song feel more introspective and poignant. The change in time signature supports the lyrical content, making the message of urgency and reflection stand out more effectively.
Weirdly enough, John and Paul didn't write the 3/4 bit into the song, it was an idea that George had during the recording process. When I think of a Beatles song where the lyrics influence a time signature change, I usually think of "Across the Universe" or "Good Morning Good Morning."
You guys are amazing. Thank you for explaining this. I would do this automatically in songs, but confused myself for the account. This clarifies it brilliantly.
Yes, many examples in the Beatles, especially 2/4 inserted into 4/4, and dropped measure(s) (Yesterday). Excellent lesson. Jazz uses 7/4 and 7/8 a good bit in instrumentals, but how would you subdivide in a song?
I’ve just been working on a song mainly in 7/4, and without realising I divided it into one group of 4/4, then two group of 3/8, at least as far as the drums are concerned. I feel it has a really nice driving pulse
Oh Not So Long Ago A Friend Of Mine Who`s Been Playing Guitar For A Few Years Asked Me If I Could Teach Her A Thing Or Two About Songwriting , I Told Her Of Course So I Gave Her Some Of My Songwriting Notes , & Some Methods For Her Song Works , As Time Pasted She Showed Me A Note Book Of Her Writings For Lyrics For Songs , Although She Had A Couple Of Good Ideas I Had To Explain That Her Words Were More Like Poems , Not Song Lyrics , So I Started To Explain , What`s The Differences ??? Poems vs Lyrics . There Are 8 Major Points I`ll Mention A Few , Poems , Not Meant To Be Put To Music , Lyrics Meant To Be Put To Music , Poems No Responsibility To Rhyme , Lyrics Have A Responsibility To Rhyme In Order To Help People Learn The Song & Be Catchy , Poems Can Use Flowery Old Fashioned Or Complex Words , Without Concern , Lyrics Benefit From Simple Everyday Conversational Language , Poems Can Often Have A Deep Or Complex Story , Lyrics More Often Than Not Have A Simple Easy To Follow Story , Poems Touch People In An Emotional Thought Provoking Profound Or Abstract Manner , Lyrics Touch People In A Direct Often Simple & Emotional Manner. Note This Could Be A Future Video Topic For KEPPIE & BEN , Maybe ???
Thank you so much for this video!! 🙏🏼 Sooo useful 🤩 I understand the difference so much better now
Lyrics can sometimes influence or force a change in the time signature of a song. This happens because the natural rhythm and phrasing of the lyrics may not fit neatly into the established time signature. When writing music, songwriters often find that the flow of the lyrics-such as the way syllables are stressed or the natural pauses in speech-may feel awkward or forced if constrained by a strict time signature. To accommodate the lyrical phrasing, they might change the time signature, add or remove beats, or use a combination of time signatures (e.g., switching between 4/4 and 3/4 within a song). A classic example of a time signature change driven by lyrics is “We Can Work It Out” by The Beatles.
The song starts in a straightforward 4/4 time signature, which is typical for pop music. However, when the lyrics shift to the line "Life is very short, and there's no time," the time signature changes to 3/4 (waltz time). This change allows the music to emphasize the more reflective, almost urgent tone of the lyrics.
Here's how it breaks down:
Verse (4/4 time):
"Try to see it my way,
Do I have to keep on talking till I can't go on?"
Bridge (3/4 time):
"Life is very short, and there's no time,
For fussing and fighting, my friend."
The switch from 4/4 to 3/4 creates a sense of contrast and highlights the lyrical shift in mood, making that part of the song feel more introspective and poignant. The change in time signature supports the lyrical content, making the message of urgency and reflection stand out more effectively.
Weirdly enough, John and Paul didn't write the 3/4 bit into the song, it was an idea that George had during the recording process.
When I think of a Beatles song where the lyrics influence a time signature change, I usually think of "Across the Universe" or "Good Morning Good Morning."
@@MyNameIsNeutron I think "Across the universe" is using 4/4 throughout ...
@@const71there are some measures of 5/4 for some lyrics
Count it and see
Paul Simon's "How The Heart Approaches What It Yearns" switches from 5/4 to 3/4!
This. Is. What. I. Needed. Right. Now.
😊
Great video!! The feel from 6/8 to 4/4 is very obvious.
These videos are so amazing, I purchased some of your content a few weeks ago. Thanks for posting these videos!
You guys are amazing. Thank you for explaining this. I would do this automatically in songs, but confused myself for the account. This clarifies it brilliantly.
Gonna try this down the line thanks!
please make a video on all possible ways to to play a chord progression , all rhythms and whatever you know
It would be cool for you guys to make 2 different songs from 1 song. 2 different storys and patterns.
Thank you always :)
Wonderful thank 😂
Nice idea
Yes, many examples in the Beatles, especially 2/4 inserted into 4/4, and dropped measure(s) (Yesterday). Excellent lesson. Jazz uses 7/4 and 7/8 a good bit in instrumentals, but how would you subdivide in a song?
I’ve just been working on a song mainly in 7/4, and without realising I divided it into one group of 4/4, then two group of 3/8, at least as far as the drums are concerned. I feel it has a really nice driving pulse
Helpful many thanks 🙏🏻
Have you done any videos on how to get out of the rutt of songwriting with rhymes? I have the uncontrollable desire to rhyme every single line.
Would you say "Hallelujah" by Leonard Cohen has the 6/8, the "side to side" motion?👈
I'm from Delhi, India.. How can I join the community?
There's a link in the description of the video. I joined a few months ago and it and it is very helpful. I have learned a lot!
I thought prosody is the innate musical nature of spoken words. (featuring variation of pitch and syllabic rhythm. )
But not always you fit one chord per bar that neatly …
Oh Not So Long Ago A Friend Of Mine Who`s Been Playing Guitar For A Few Years Asked Me If I Could Teach Her A Thing Or Two About Songwriting , I Told Her Of Course So I Gave Her Some Of My Songwriting Notes , & Some Methods For Her Song Works , As Time Pasted She Showed Me A Note Book Of Her Writings For Lyrics For Songs , Although She Had A Couple Of Good Ideas I Had To Explain That Her Words Were More Like Poems , Not Song Lyrics , So I Started To Explain , What`s The Differences ??? Poems vs Lyrics . There Are 8 Major Points I`ll Mention A Few , Poems , Not Meant To Be Put To Music , Lyrics Meant To Be Put To Music , Poems No Responsibility To Rhyme , Lyrics Have A Responsibility To Rhyme In Order To Help People Learn The Song & Be Catchy , Poems Can Use Flowery Old Fashioned Or Complex Words , Without Concern , Lyrics Benefit From Simple Everyday Conversational Language , Poems Can Often Have A Deep Or Complex Story , Lyrics More Often Than Not Have A Simple Easy To Follow Story , Poems Touch People In An Emotional Thought Provoking Profound Or Abstract Manner , Lyrics Touch People In A Direct Often Simple & Emotional Manner. Note This Could Be A Future Video Topic For KEPPIE & BEN , Maybe ???