verse
A section of a song with recurring music but changing lyrics.
In Depth
The verse is the storytelling section of a song — the music stays the same (or nearly so) while the lyrics change with each repetition, advancing the narrative or developing the theme. In a typical verse-chorus structure, verses alternate with choruses, with each verse presenting new text while the chorus provides the memorable, repeating hook.
The verse-chorus form dominates popular music, but verse structure appears throughout music history. Strophic songs (where the same music repeats for every verse) are the oldest song form. In folk and country music, the verse carries the story while the chorus delivers the emotional payoff. Skilled songwriters create verses that build tension and anticipation for the chorus.
Bob Dylan's Like a Rolling Stone was revolutionary partly because its verses are twice as long as a typical pop verse — the story builds and builds before the explosive chorus.