What is this musical/lyrical device called?

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hemantjup78
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02 Dec 2020, 9:49 am

Is there a name or specific term for when a chorus gets repurposed with slight changes in lyrics and melody during the section near the end of a song before the final chorus (not sure if this qualifies as a bridge, or maybe the “C” section?)? Seems to be super common in pop, especially 90’s pop. Two examples that made me think to ask:

It’s Gonna Be Me by *NSYNC- chorus “every little thing I do// never seems enough for you// you don’t wannna lose it again// but I’m not like them” vs end of song “all that I do// is not enough for you// don’t wanna lose it// but I’m not like that”

Stronger by Britney Spears- chorus “Cause now I’m stronger than yesterday// Now it’s nothin but my way” vs end of song “stronger than yesterday// it’s nothing but my way”

Both end sections have slightly different melodies and lyrics for dramatic effect and I guess my question is what is THAT called?



funeralxempire
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02 Dec 2020, 1:01 pm

Isn't that a reprise?


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05 Dec 2020, 6:53 am

I don't know if there's a specific technical term for it. If I was talking to other songwriters (in my local songwriters' group, or an online community I use) we'd just say something like "variant chorus," "alternative chorus" or "modified chorus."

Singer-songwriters and bands who write their own material don't seem to bother much with standardised technical terms for this kind of stuff. If they need to clarify the structure, they can just play the relevant bit. But the "hit factory" songwriters who create songs for major pop acts may well have additional technical terms to help them discuss the song structure with micromanaging producers. You don't find them slumming it with us amateurs and semi-pros, so I wouldn't know.

It's even more confusing when you try to talk about a second, completely different section of music that's also being used as a chorus. In my notes, I'd call it "chorus 2," "chorus B" or "alternative chorus," but talking to someone else it'd take me a whole sentence to clarify that no, I don't just mean the second time the chorus is played. And yes, the phrase "alternative chorus" can cause confusion with the situation you were describing. It really is that vague!


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ezbzbfcg2
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05 Dec 2020, 7:05 am

It's called the ending refrain or ending chorus. Indicates that it's similar to - but slightly different than - the main chorus used throughout the song, and that this change-up comes specifically at the conclusion of the song.