JPF Home Page Forums General Messages Songwriter Message Forum What exactly is a lift?

Hey gang,

I've seen them in other folks' lyrics but have no clue just what they're supposed to be. What is a lift?

Charlann

Think of it as the on-ramp to a bridge. Ain't never used one, myself.

Joe

To me, a "lift" is a few words or lines that help the flow from verse into the chorus. They aren't part of either, but help that transition. Not sure if that's how others see it.

It's the thing that goes under your car so you can change the tire.

Actually Mary Lou defined it quite nicely. A lift can be very helpful in a song. It's usually a little build (hence lift) taking you from the verse to the chorus in a more contrasting way than had you gone directly from verse to chorus. The word "lift" is also used interchangeably with the word "build".

To lift or not to lift, that is the question.

I have only ever seen it used in lyrics, or lead sheets, and never, as I recall, in sheet music.
I take it as a word's person's indication of where the head tune (even when they don't realise they have one) is heading.
Musically, it can be seen by the change in sheet music instructions.
A change of time signature, or noise level indication maybe.
Graham

HiDee Mz C!

A "Lift".."Ramp" or "Climb" is a Small Bit of Lyric & Music that elevates ya from Verse to Chorus. Kinda Builds your Velocity-cum-Mood a bit more than JUST goin' "Bare" from Verse-to-Chorus.

Best Example I can think up this eve is maybe Lou Reed's "Walk on the Wild Side"...

(VERSE) Blah-Blah-Blah

(LIFT:) "And the Colored Girls Sing"...

(CHORUS/REFRAIN)
Boop-de-Doop...etc.

Sorry I got Nothin' Better comin' to mind...but that's The General Idea. It's kinda like a Shift from 1st to 2nd Gear, gettin' ready for Third to come in Real Strong.

Try Some..they're often More Exciting Writing.

Big Hugs,
Stan

I think it is also called a pre-chorus.

thanks everyone! I had absolutely no clue!

You've all been a big help!

Charlann

Mornin' Charlann -
Tampa Stan gave a great definition of a lift.
I use a lift in the song I submitted for this week's Mentor Forum, Falling From Your Grace - the last line of the verses leading into the chorus vocally and musically rise, to build the energy to the chorus.... it's a clue that "something's comin'"
I believe sometimes the terms "lift" and "pre-chorus" are used interchangably. A pre-chorus sets up the chorus ... so does the lift, but the lift must do what it says ... So, I think a lift is a pre-chorus, but a pre-chorus may not always be a "lift".

I brought this song earlier to an NSAI critique and the over-all comment was my lift didn't lift musically ... I needed to re-write the music there to build into the chorus... I haven't been back to a critique since I made the change, so I am not 100% sure I accomplished my goal ... but that was the goal ...
It's on my soundclick page if you would like to take a listen.
http://www.soundclick.com/bands/pagemusic.cfm?bandID=100751
Joanne

I'm reminded of a song I heard on the original Shrek soundtrack.
The song is titled "Hallelujah". It was written by Leonard Cohen and performed by John Cale. It actually describes the lift in the first verse as it's being sung.

Isn't LIFT a British term for elevator.LOL

Hey Everett
You beat me to it. Shucks... JIM

A lift is musical; not lyrical. It channels the energy upward from the verse into the chorus.

When I teach my songwriting classes, this is what I use as a great example of a lift (or channel, or pre-chorus...all the same thing):

"You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling" (Mann, Weil)

VERSE
You never close your eyes any more when I kiss your lips
And there's no tenderness like before in your fingertips

LIFT
You're tying hard not to show it
But Baby, Baby, I know it...

CHORUS
You've lost that......etc

From the first note of the lift, it keeps going, up, up until it climaxes at the first note of the chorus.

Also, note how the first note of the chorus lands on the second count of the measure. The music allow that first chord to "land" hard (BOOM...you've lost that lovin...) before the singing starts. Brilliant.

A lift is a technique used to provide greater pay-off for the chorus.

Imagine a chorus is a piece of chocolate , however you are not sure if there will be any chocolate . The lift tells you that there is chocolate and what's more you are about to get some

Nige

Thanks Nigel!

That is one definition that I can truly relate to! I love the imagery!

Charlann

I want to thank everyone for their responses! You are all wonderful mentors for me!

Charlann

Nigel ... I agree ... I like the "chocolate" analogy ... hmmmm come to think of it ... I could probably relate chocolate to many facets of my life
Joanne

I like your description but I'd say it's an on-ramp to a chorus, not a bridge.

I think people also call it a pre-chorus. It is a rather effective songwriting technique. A build-up for the chorus. I'd suggest reading some good songwriting books for in-depth info.

I've always called it a launch ramp myself. Like the thing Thunderbird 2 uses to get to the chorus.....LOL!

I want to thank TrumanCoyote for actually giving an example of a "lift" in a song we all probably know- "You've Lost that Loving Feeling"- a song that I understand never made it to number 1 on about 3 popular releases- the best and most famous being the release by the Righteous Brother's.