The Best Examples of Learn ABAB Structure in Songwriting: 3 Core Examples (Plus More)

Before we talk theory, let’s start with your ears. When people search for examples of learn ABAB structure in songwriting: 3 examples, what they really want is: Show me songs that do this, and explain it in plain English. So let’s do exactly that, then we’ll zoom out.

Think of ABAB structure as a back-and-forth conversation between two sections:

• A section: One musical or lyrical idea (often a verse, or a repeating lyric line).
• B section: A contrasting idea (often a chorus, refrain, or answer line).

The magic is in the repetition: A, then B, then A again, then B again.

Core Examples of Learn ABAB Structure in Songwriting: 3 Examples You Already Know

Here are three of the best examples of ABAB structure that most listeners recognize immediately, even if they don’t know the label.

1. “Someone Like You” – Adele (Verse–Chorus ABAB)

This ballad is a clean example of verse–chorus ABAB:

• A = Verse – Storytelling, more relaxed melody, smaller range.
• B = Chorus – The emotional peak: “Never mind, I’ll find someone like you…”

In the opening part of the song, the pattern goes:

• A – Verse 1
• B – Chorus 1
• A – Verse 2
• B – Chorus 2

That’s textbook ABAB. The verses move the story forward; the chorus keeps returning to the main emotional hook. If you’re collecting examples of learn ABAB structure in songwriting: 3 examples, this one is perfect because the contrast between A and B is so clear.

2. “Blinding Lights” – The Weeknd (Sectional ABAB Energy)

“Blinding Lights” is a modern pop hit that leans heavily on repetition and contrast, making it a great ABAB case study.

Listen to how it moves:

• A = Verse / Pre-chorus build – Tighter melody, more narrative.
• B = Chorus hook – Big, anthemic, instantly recognizable.

The early structure of the song is:

• A – Intro + Verse
• B – Chorus
• A – Verse 2
• B – Chorus 2

Again, that classic ABAB feel. The synths and drums keep the same color, but the function of the sections shifts back and forth: A pulls you in, B explodes. For writers studying examples of learn ABAB structure in songwriting: 3 examples, this bridges older verse–chorus writing with modern production.

3. “Thinking Out Loud” – Ed Sheeran (Clear Verse–Chorus ABAB)

This is another strong example of ABAB in a love ballad.

• A = Verse – “When your legs don’t work like they used to before…”
• B = Chorus – “So honey now, take me into your loving arms…”

The early layout:

• A – Verse 1
• B – Chorus
• A – Verse 2
• B – Chorus

Notice how each verse changes lyrics but keeps a similar melody and chord feel, while each chorus repeats the same lyrics and hook. That’s the heart of ABAB: an alternating pattern of new information (A) and familiar payoff (B).

These three tracks give you a solid foundation if you’re hunting for the best examples of learn ABAB structure in songwriting: 3 examples that are both popular and easy to analyze.

More Real Examples: ABAB Structure Across Genres

To really lock this in, let’s add more real examples so you can hear how flexible ABAB can be.

Pop Example: “Anti-Hero” – Taylor Swift

“Anti-Hero” is a modern pop track that uses a strong verse–chorus ABAB pattern.

• A = Verse – Confessional, detailed lines.
• B = Chorus – The hook: “It’s me, hi, I’m the problem, it’s me.”

The song moves:

• A – Verse 1
• B – Chorus
• A – Verse 2
• B – Chorus

Bridge and extra sections come later, but the backbone is ABAB. If you’re trying to gather examples of learn ABAB structure in songwriting: 3 examples and then expand beyond that, “Anti-Hero” is a great modern reference.

Rock Example: “Smells Like Teen Spirit” – Nirvana

This might surprise some writers, but the early structure is very ABAB:

• A = Verse – Mumbled, quieter vocal, more space.
• B = Chorus – Loud, explosive hook: “With the lights out, it’s less dangerous…”

You get:

• A – Verse
• B – Chorus
• A – Verse 2
• B – Chorus 2

The dynamics alone make the A/B contrast obvious. This shows ABAB isn’t just for pop ballads—it works in grunge and rock too.

Country Example: “Tequila” – Dan + Shay

Country loves clear structures, and “Tequila” is another strong ABAB pattern.

• A = Verse – Specific scenes and images.
• B = Chorus – The repeating emotional hook built around the word “Tequila.”

Again, you hear A (story) alternating with B (emotional summary) all the way through.

Indie Example: “Skinny Love” – Bon Iver

Even in indie and folk-leaning songs, ABAB shows up.

• A = Verse – Intimate, evolving lyrics.
• B = Refrain/Chorus-like section – Recurring hook lines.

The structure is a little looser, but you still feel that back-and-forth pattern between two main ideas.

These extra songs give you more real examples beyond the original 3 examples so you can recognize ABAB structure even when the production style shifts.

How ABAB Structure Actually Works (Without the Boring Jargon)

Now that you’ve seen several examples of learn ABAB structure in songwriting: 3 examples and more, let’s put some simple language around what’s going on.

Think of ABAB as:

• A = Setup
• B = Payoff
• Then repeat: setup, payoff, setup, payoff.

In practice, that usually means:

• A sections change lyrics more often.
• B sections repeat lyrics more often.
• A sections feel more conversational or narrative.
• B sections feel more like a slogan or headline.

This alternating pattern keeps listeners from getting bored (too much A) or overwhelmed (too much B). It’s a balance between variety and familiarity, which music psychology research often points to as a key ingredient in songs people replay.

If you’re curious about how repetition and variation affect the brain, the National Institutes of Health has accessible articles on music and reward systems in the brain, such as research summaries available at nih.gov. You don’t need to be a scientist to get the big idea: the brain likes patterns it can predict—but not so predictable that it gets bored.

Writing Your Own ABAB Song: A Step-by-Step Walkthrough

Let’s turn those examples of learn ABAB structure in songwriting: 3 examples into a simple writing process you can actually use.

Step 1: Decide What Your A and B Sections Do

Before you write a single line, answer two questions:

• What does A do? Tell a story? Paint images? Ask questions?
• What does B do? Sum up the feeling? Deliver the hook? Answer the question?

For instance, in a breakup song:

• A (verse): Specific scenes from the relationship.
• B (chorus): The one line that sums up how you feel now.

Step 2: Write a Short A Section

Keep it simple. Four lines is plenty to start. Aim for:

• Clear images
• A steady rhythm
• A melody that’s easy to sing but leaves room to grow in the chorus

Example A (rough draft):

We left our jackets on your kitchen chair
Coffee getting cold while we just sat and stared
You traced my name into the window’s fog
Like you were scared to say it out loud

Step 3: Write a Contrasting B Section

Now write a B that feels different:

• Higher melody or stronger rhythm
• Shorter, more repeatable lines
• A clear emotional headline

Example B (rough draft):

But it’s over, over, over now
Every word we said is coming down
I keep trying not to say it out loud
It’s over, over, over now

You can already feel the AB contrast: A tells the story, B nails the feeling.

Step 4: Repeat the Pattern: ABAB

Now build your song like this:

• A – Verse 1 (new images, same general melody)
• B – Chorus (same lyrics and melody each time)
• A – Verse 2 (different details, similar shape)
• B – Chorus again

You’ve just built a basic ABAB structure. If you listen back-to-back with the examples of learn ABAB structure in songwriting: 3 examples we covered—Adele, The Weeknd, Ed Sheeran—you’ll notice you’re using the same backbone.

Why ABAB Still Dominates Pop Playlists in 2024–2025

If you look at recent Billboard Hot 100 charts through 2024 and into 2025, you’ll notice a pattern: most big hits still rely on some flavor of ABAB, especially in the early part of the song. Short attention spans and streaming culture haven’t killed structure—they’ve made it more important.

Here’s why ABAB keeps working:

• Listeners know where they are in the song quickly.
• Choruses arrive often, which matters when people skip fast.
• Verses don’t overstay their welcome, because you’re always on your way back to B.

Music educators and songwriting teachers at universities like Berklee College of Music often highlight verse–chorus patterns (which are usually ABAB at the start) as a standard tool for commercial songwriting. You can explore more about song forms through their online resources at berklee.edu.

In other words, if you’re learning structure in 2024 or 2025, focusing on examples of learn ABAB structure in songwriting: 3 examples and beyond is time well spent. You’re studying the language modern hits still speak.

Variations on ABAB: When Writers Bend the Rules

Songwriters rarely stay in a strict ABAB pattern for the entire track. You’ll often see:

• ABAB + Bridge (C) – A very common pattern: verse, chorus, verse, chorus, bridge, chorus.
• Intro or Pre-chorus folded into A or B.
• Post-chorus hooks that feel like a mini B section after the main B.

For example, “Blinding Lights” eventually adds extra sections and instrumental breaks, but the early part of the song still fits neatly into ABAB. That’s why it still works as one of the best examples of learn ABAB structure in songwriting: 3 examples when you’re focusing on the foundation.

When you’re writing, think of ABAB as the skeleton. Later, you can add bridges, intros, outros, and post-choruses like muscles and skin. But if the skeleton is solid, the song stands up.

Common Mistakes When Using ABAB (And How to Fix Them)

Even with strong examples of ABAB in your playlist, it’s easy to stumble. Here are frequent issues and quick fixes:

1. A and B Don’t Feel Different Enough

If your verse and chorus sound almost the same, the listener can’t feel the AB pattern.

Fix:

• Raise the melody or energy in B.
• Simplify the lyrics in B so they’re more chant-like.
• Change the rhythm or chord movement slightly in B.

2. A Sections Are Too Long

Modern listeners bail fast. If your verse goes on forever, they may never reach B.

Fix:

• Keep verses tight—often 4–8 lines before you hit the chorus.
• Study song lengths and structures by timing verses and choruses in your favorite real examples.

3. B Section Doesn’t Land Emotionally

If your chorus doesn’t feel bigger than the verse, ABAB loses its punch.

Fix:

• Rewrite B with clearer, more direct language.
• Use repetition: if a line feels like the heart of the song, repeat it.
• Look back at the earlier examples of learn ABAB structure in songwriting: 3 examples and notice how often the title appears in the chorus.

For more on how repeated phrases can help memory and emotional impact, general health and psychology resources like Mayo Clinic discuss how music interacts with mood and memory.

Quick FAQ About ABAB Songwriting

What is a simple example of ABAB structure in a song?

A straightforward example of ABAB structure is a song that goes: Verse (A), Chorus (B), Verse (A), Chorus (B). “Someone Like You” by Adele and “Thinking Out Loud” by Ed Sheeran both follow this pattern early on, making them some of the best examples of learn ABAB structure in songwriting: 3 examples for beginners.

Do all hit songs use ABAB structure?

Not all, but a large percentage of modern pop, rock, and country hits use some kind of verse–chorus alternation that feels like ABAB, especially in the first half of the song. Many then add bridges, pre-choruses, or post-choruses on top of that foundation.

Can lyrics themselves follow an ABAB rhyme scheme inside a section?

Yes. Inside a verse or chorus, lines can rhyme in an ABAB pattern (line 1 rhymes with line 3; line 2 rhymes with line 4). That’s separate from the section-level ABAB we’ve been talking about, but the idea is similar: alternating patterns that help the listener predict what’s coming.

How can I practice ABAB structure using real examples?

Pick three songs from this guide—say Adele, The Weeknd, and Taylor Swift—and write down the section order as you listen. Label each part A or B. Then write your own short verse (A) and chorus (B) and copy their ABAB order. Using examples of learn ABAB structure in songwriting: 3 examples as a template is one of the fastest ways to internalize the pattern.

If you keep a small playlist of these real examples and write along with them, ABAB will stop feeling like a theory term and start feeling like muscle memory. That’s when your songwriting really opens up.