Annnnnd there’s the kick-off! The ball is in motion. The players explode into action. The fans are on their feet. It’s the moment they’ve all been waiting for! That’s the power of the kick off.
Now think about launching a verse or chorus with that kind of energy!
A kick-off line can add a big shot of excitement to any section of your song. It can be the attention-grabbing opening of Verse 1. It can be the boost that gives your chorus a chance to really soar.
An effective kick-off line is a combination of strong melody and lyric writing. So, let’s check out some examples from a few big, contemporary hit songs to see how it’s done.
“BELIEVER” – IMAGINE DRAGONS
(Rock, Pop/Rock)
Listen to the song on YouTube.
Imagine Dragons uses a kick-off line in every section of this enormous hit, giving the whole track a feeling of intense energy.
1. Verse 1 starts with the lyric:
First things first
I’ma say all the words inside my head.
The phrase “first things first” implies that the most important thing is coming up right away (which it is) and the singer will have more to say. It’s a heads-up that gets the listener’s attention. The syncopated, choppy melody adds strength to the lyric, giving it even more emphasis. Verse 1 has started the ball rolling.
2. In the opening line of the Pre-chorus the lyric pace suddenly picks up by delivering more words or syllables per beat. Note that the underlying tempo of the track doesn’t change—just the number of syllables that are sung to each beat, making the song sound like it’s suddenly moving faster. This a great trick for propelling the listener into a new section of your song.
3. The chorus of “Believer” has a great example of a kick-off line. Actually, it’s a kick-off word: PAIN! This is a word with loads of emotional and physical associations. By leaping up into it (a 7th above the previous note) and delivering it with a shout, it sets in motion the huge chorus of this hit song. A great example of a kick-off perfectly delivered. Read my complete Song Guide here.
“ROLLING IN THE DEEP” – ADELE
(Adult Contemporary)
Listen to the song on YouTube.
Adele’s songs offer a master class in writing great kick-off lines that drop the listener right into the action.
1. The opening of Verse 1 pulses with energy.
There’s a fire starting in my heart.
Reaching a fever pitch that’s bringing me out the dark.
There’s loads of power in the image of a fire starting and words like fever and dark. Whatever’s going on, it’s a big deal and listeners want to hear more about it. The game is on!
2. The chorus catapults the energy way up by pairing the opening line—We could’ve had it all—with a big, upward rush of a melody line. The intensity stays at this level throughout the chorus, keeping listeners involved and excited.
Read more about “Rolling In the Deep” and two more Adele hits.
PLAY IT AGAIN – LUKE BRYAN
(Country)
Listen to the song on YouTube.
Country songs really know how to launch a great game with a kick-off line.
“Play It Again,” a big Country hit for Luke Bryan, is one of my favorite Country songs and it’s got some awesome kick-off lines.
1. The opening lines of Verse 1 paint a quick, clear picture of the girl he falls for.
She was sittin’ all alone over on the tailgate
Tan legs swingin’ by a Georgia plate
This immediately gives listeners a connection to the singer. We see her through his eyes. It’s as if we’re part of the action, standing right next to him. That sets the ball in motion for this song.
Here are 5 more ways to write a strong opening line.
2. The melody of the Pre-chorus begins rising from the very first line, pumping up the energy as the lyric pushes the emotion higher—Soon as I sat down, I was fallin’ in love.
3. The Chorus actually takes off and soars on the energy of two lines: the last line of the Pre-chorus: She jumped up and cut me off… and first line of the chorus: She was like “Oh, my God, this is my song”
I love the way this works. As soon as he sings She jumped up and cut me off… the energy goes way, way up. Cutting someone off is a strong action; listeners want to know why she did it. Her youth and excitement burst out in the exclamation “Oh, my God! This is my song!” and our question is answered. We’re carried along by her enthusiasm through the rest of the chorus. Once you get the ball in the air, keep it there!
Read the Song Guide on my website.
ATTENTION – CHARLIE PUTH
(Pop/R&B)
Listen to the song on YouTube.
1. Verse 1 of this R&B/Pop hit by Charlie Puth starts out with an irresistible kick-off line. Who can resist a lyric that sounds like a screaming, 5-inch headline in The National Enquirer?
You’ve been runnin’ round, runnin’ round, runnin’ round throwin’ that dirt all on my name
What a great opening play! Not only is the situation sensational, but the rhythmical repetition of an action phrase—runnin’ round, runnin’ round, runnin’ round—catches attention and gets the listener’s body swaying.
R&B kick-off lines often shun the big, rising melodies of Pop, Rock, and Country, relying on rhythm and lyric revelation to make their point instead.
2. That said, Puth’s Chorus uses the same two-line strategy as Luke Bryan’s Country hit. The last line of the Pre-chorus—You’re not comin’ home with me tonight—makes us wonder why not. After all, he just told us he’s thinking about when they were together. The answer kicks off the start of a big chorus: You just want attention, you don’t want my heart. The fans love it!
Here are five ways today’s hit songwriters create exciting kick-off lines.
âś… The rising melody line is still a winner. Either a steady rise or a big leap will work.
âś… Pick up the pace of the words. Sing more words per beat. Or try the opposite; stretch out the words for a smooth, long line leading into a chorus.
âś… Use images and phrases with strong emotional or physical associations.
âś… Melodic and/or lyric repetition will grab attention, especially if the rhythm of the repetition is catchy.
âś… The final lyric line of one section can set the listener up for the opening line of the next one.
– Try It Now –
Check out the songs I’ve mentioned here and listen for the kick-off lines. Then take a look at a song you’ve written to see if you can punch up your opening or transitional lines with a strong image, a big melody line, or some rhythmical repetition. Give your fans something exciting to cheer about!