The Rockstar Song Template Vault

The Ultimate Rockstar's Guide to Songwriting

This guide is broken down into three parts: Song Structures, Chord Progressions, and Ready-to-Use Templates. Think of the structure as the blueprint of your house and the chord progressions as the materials you build it with.

Part 1: Rock Song Structures (The Blueprint)

Most rock songs are built from a few key sections. Understanding their purpose is the first step to crafting a compelling song.

• Verse: This is where you tell the story. The lyrics change with each verse, but the music usually stays the same.
• Chorus: This is the main event—the big, catchy, memorable part of the song. The lyrics and music are almost always identical each time it appears. It contains the core message or hook.
• Bridge: This section provides a change of pace. It introduces a new musical and lyrical idea, offering a fresh perspective before returning to the familiar chorus. It's the "plot twist."
• Pre-Chorus: A short section that builds tension and anticipation leading into the chorus.
• Solo: The instrumental showcase, usually for the lead guitar. It often plays over the chord progression of the verse or chorus.
• Intro/Outro: The beginning and end of your song. The intro sets the mood, and the outro provides a satisfying conclusion.

Common Rock Structures

Here are the most common and effective structures. (V=Verse, C=Chorus, B=Bridge, S=Solo)

1. VCVC (The Simple Banger)
   1. Structure: Verse 1 -> Chorus -> Verse 2 -> Chorus -> Outro
   2. Why it works: It's direct, catchy, and gets straight to the point. Perfect for punk, garage rock, and high-energy anthems.
   3. Examples: "Smells Like Teen Spirit" - Nirvana, "Last Nite" - The Strokes
2. VCVCBC (The Modern Classic)
   1. Structure: Verse 1 -> Chorus -> Verse 2 -> Chorus -> Bridge -> Chorus -> Outro
   2. Why it works: This is arguably the most popular structure in modern music. The bridge provides a crucial dynamic shift that makes the final chorus feel even bigger and more impactful.
   3. Examples: "Everlong" - Foo Fighters, "Mr. Brightside" - The Killers
3. VCVCSBC (The Arena Rocker)
   1. Structure: Verse 1 -> Chorus -> Verse 2 -> Chorus -> Solo -> Bridge -> Chorus -> Outro
   2. Why it works: It has everything: storytelling verses, a huge chorus, an epic solo for the guitarist to shine, and a bridge to bring it all home.
   3. Examples: "Sweet Child O' Mine" - Guns N' Roses, "Hotel California" - Eagles

Part 2: Rock Chord Progressions (The Harmony)

Chord progressions are the emotional engine of your song. We'll use Roman numerals so you can apply these to any key.

• I: The "home" chord (Major)
• ii: Minor
• iii: Minor
• IV: Major
• V: Major
• vi: The "relative minor" (Minor)
• vii°: Diminished (less common in rock)

The "Can't-Miss" Rock Progressions

1. I - V - vi - IV (The "Axis of Awesome")
   1. Feel: Uplifting, anthemic, versatile. The most common progression in modern music for a reason.
   2. Key of G: G - D - Em - C
   3. Key of C: C - G - Am - F
   4. Key of A: A - E - F#m - D
   5. Used In: "Don't Stop Believin'" - Journey, "Zombie" - The Cranberries
2. I - IV - V (The Bedrock of Rock)
   1. Feel: Simple, driving, classic. The foundation of early rock and roll and punk.
   2. Key of E: E - A - B
   3. Key of A: A - D - E
   4. Key of G: G - C - D
   5. Used In: "Twist and Shout" - The Beatles, "Wild Thing" - The Troggs
3. vi - IV - I - V (The "Sensitive" Progression)
   1. Feel: Melancholy, dramatic, emotional. Starts on the minor chord for a darker feel.
   2. Key of C: Am - F - C - G
   3. Key of G: Em - C - G - D
   4. Key of E: C#m - A - E - B
   5. Used In: "Numb" - Linkin Park, "Otherside" - Red Hot Chili Peppers
4. I - vi - IV - V (The "Doo-Wop" Progression)
   1. Feel: Nostalgic, classic, feel-good.
   2. Key of C: C - Am - F - G
   3. Key of G: G - Em - C - D
   4. Key of A: A - F#m - D - E
   5. Used In: "Stand By Me" - Ben E. King, "Every Breath You Take" - The Police
5. The 12-Bar Blues
   1. Feel: The foundation. Groovy, raw, and essential.
   2. Structure (in Key of A):
      1. A (I) - 4 bars
      2. D (IV) - 2 bars
      3. A (I) - 2 bars
      4. E (V) - 1 bar
      5. D (IV) - 1 bar
      6. A (I) - 1 bar
      7. E (V) - 1 bar (turnaround)
   3. Used In: "Johnny B. Goode" - Chuck Berry, "Red House" - Jimi Hendrix

Part 3: Ready-to-Use Songwriting Templates

Now, let's combine structures and progressions into actionable templates.

Template 1: The 90s Alternative Rock Hit

• Goal: Create a song with a quiet/loud dynamic that builds into an explosive chorus.
• Structure: Intro -> Verse 1 -> Pre-Chorus -> Chorus -> Verse 2 -> Pre-Chorus -> Chorus -> Bridge -> Solo -> Chorus -> Outro
• Dynamics & Chords:
  • Intro: Use a clean or slightly gritty guitar tone. Play the verse progression once.
  • Verse (vi - IV - I - V): Keep it sparse. Bass, drums, and a clean guitar. Vocals are narrative and subdued. (e.g., Am - F - C - G)
  • Pre-Chorus: Build tension. Add palm-muted power chords, drummer moves to the hi-hats, vocals get more intense.
  • Chorus (I - V - vi - IV): Explode with distortion. Full power chords, crashing cymbals, and a powerful, soaring vocal melody. (e.g., C - G - Am - F)
  • Bridge: Drop everything down. A single guitar line or just bass and drums. A moment of reflection before the final push.
  • Solo: Play it over the chorus progression for maximum impact.

Template 2: The Garage Rock Anthem

• Goal: A high-energy, riff-driven song that is instantly catchy.
• Structure: Riff Intro -> Verse 1 -> Chorus -> Verse 2 -> Chorus -> Bridge -> Chorus x2 -> Outro
• Dynamics & Chords:
  • Intro: A powerful, simple, and memorable guitar riff.
  • Verse (I - IV - V): Use driving power chords. Keep the energy high. The vocals are punchy and rhythmic. (e.g., A5 - D5 - E5)
  • Chorus (vi - IV - I - V): Make it a sing-along. The whole band kicks in with full force. (e.g., F#m - D - A - E)
  • Bridge: A simple breakdown. The guitar might drop out, leaving just the bass and drums for a few bars to create a moment of tension.
  • Outro: Bring back the main riff and fade out or end abruptly with a final crash cymbal.

Template 3: The Classic Rock Ballad

• Goal: An emotional song that builds from a gentle beginning to a powerful climax.
• Structure: Intro -> Verse 1 -> Chorus -> Verse 2 -> Chorus -> Solo -> Bridge -> Final Chorus -> Outro
• Dynamics & Chords:
  • Intro: An acoustic guitar or clean electric arpeggiating the verse chords.
  • Verse (I - vi - IV - V): Start soft. Acoustic guitar, simple bass line, gentle drums. Vocals are heartfelt and clear. (e.g., G - Em - C - D)
  • Chorus (vi - IV - I - V): Build the energy. The full band comes in, but not at full power yet. Add vocal harmonies. (e.g., Em - C - G - D)
  • Solo: A melodic, soulful guitar solo over the verse or chorus progression. This is the emotional peak of the song.
  • Bridge: Change the key or introduce a new chord to add a sense of release or reflection.
  • Final Chorus: Go all out. Double the vocals, add more layers of guitar, and have the drummer play with maximum passion.
  • Outro: Fade out with the solo melody or a repeating vocal hook.