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Songwriting Guides > Writing a song > Middle 8 Songwriting Guides
Writing a song Middle 8

A middle 8 is so called because it is a section in a song that tends to happen towards the middle of the song, and tends to be eight bars in length. The purpose of this section is to break up the simple repetition of a verse /chorus/verse/ chorus structure by introducing new elements into the song. This can be a new chord sequence and melody , maybe a big change in the arrangement of the song, or even an instrumental solo. These new elements in the song help to keep the listener interested in what's happening, much like a subtle twist in the plot of a novel or movie. Of course, there is no rule that says the middle eight has to be eight bars long, but that is the most common length. Here's an example:

Oh let our love survive
Or dry the tears from your eyes
Let's don't let a good thing die
When honey, you know
I've never lied to you
Mmm yeah, yeah
Suspicious Minds (James)

This middle 8 slows the pace of the song and allows the audience time to reflect on the strong emotion of the whole lyric before the pace picks up again for the finale of the song.
It can be exciting to allow a singer to freestyle over an instrumental section.
Steve Hillier

A great middle 8 will keep your audience interested in your song. Here are some ideas on how to keep everyone awake at the back:

• Some of the best middle 8s reveal something new in the lyric, a subtle twist or revelation in the subject matter. This is a classic way of keeping a listener's interest; just when they unconsciously feel they've heard everything you have to say in the song, you rekindle their interest with something new.
• How about repeating the melody and lyric from the chorus, but over a new and different chord sequence? This can create some very interesting musical effects.
• Sometimes it can be exciting just to allow a singer to improvise (or 'freestyle') over an instrumental section in your song, maybe singing without specific words ie, bah bah bah, la la la!
• Try changing key. If your song is in a major key, try changing to the relative minor key for your middle eight (the relative minor key is three semitones lower than your major key, so A minor is the relative minor to C major).

Jeff Lynne Jeff Lynne
Was particularly pleased with a tricky harmonic progression in ELO's 'Living Thing'. "There's one chord change that makes the whole song."
Listen to the interview
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