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One meaning of the word hook is "a thing designed to catch people's attention." In pop music a hook is something catchy designed to become lodged in the listener's memory and help them remember and identify a song when it is heard again. Hooks are usually simple and short and repeated frequenly, so that by the time you've heard the song a few times it will be stuck in your memory. |
There are a number of types of hooks, and you should experiment with different types in a song to see what works best. You may want to use more than one.
Melodic - The most common type of hook is a phrase in the chorus that stands out and is easily remembered. It often incorporates the title of the song.
Example: "How Sweet It Is"
Instrumental riff - a background part played between phrases of the vocal line
Example: guitar riff in "Satisfaction" by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards
Chord progression - a characteristic sequence of chords
Example: "Louie, Louie" by Richard Berry (I - IV - v - IV)
Rhythm - a groove that is identifiable
Example: "Late in the Evening" by Paul Simon
Harmony - a sing along part
Example: "Da Doo Ron Ron" by Jeff Barry
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