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Here are more examples of hooks in popular hit songs from the bookGet Started In Songwriting by Sam Inglis which you can get from amazon.com
See if you can identify the hook in each of the following songs. Listen to the song first before reading further. See if the hook you identify is the same as the one described by Sam Inglis in his book.
BBC Cricket Theme called Soul Limbo. This upbeat music does go great with cricket highlights, especially when players are celebrating victory.
Sam Inglas says the hook is the opening cowbell. I would disagree. I think the hook is organ playing the main melody. That is the part you remember that stick in your head. You can whistle that tune all day if you hear it once.
Next up is Take a Walk on the Wild Side by Lou Reed and The Velvet Underground.
Sam Inglis says it is the sliding bass guitar. That is certainly memorable. But also the refrain, “Hey, Babe, take a walk on the wild side” which became kind of a catch phrase. And of course, anybody can sing along with, “Doo du-doo du-doo du-du-doo”.
Now we get to some Seattle grunge with Smells Like Teen Spirit by Nirvana (1992).
Sam Inglis says the hooks is the opening guitar chords. I would say the main hook is the power chords on the guitar played on the lower strings. Also the chorus sung by Kurt Cobain
With the lights out, it’s less dangerous
Here we are now, entertain us
I feel stupid and contagious
Here we are now, entertain usA mulatto, an albino
A mosquito, my libido
Yeah, hey, yay
Here is Blue Monday by New Order (1983)
This song has an electronic sound. The percussion is so mechanical and rigid and exact. Sam Inglis says the synthesized snare drum is a hook. Another is the quality of the singer’s deadpan voice (Bernard Sumner). I would agree. What I remember most is opening with the drum and electronic instrument. Also the opening lyric, “How does it feel, to treat me like you do?”
These examples of hooks in songs are from the book Get Started In Songwriting by Sam Inglis which you can get from amazon.com
