Guide · Songwriting
What is a hook in a song?
A hook is the part of a song that grabs your attention and stays in your head. It can be a melody, a line of lyrics, a rhythm or a riff. In most songs the hook is the title line sung in the chorus, but it can be anywhere.
Updated 20 Oct 2026
The types of hook
| Type | What it is | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Melodic hook | A short tune you can hum | The "na na na" ending of Hey Jude |
| Lyric hook | A phrase that sums up the song, often the title | Any title line repeated in the chorus |
| Riff hook | A short instrumental pattern that repeats | The opening guitar riff of Smoke on the Water |
| Rhythmic hook | A rhythm or groove people remember | The bass line of Billie Jean |
| Sound hook | A production sound or effect that marks the song | A distinctive synth, sample or vocal chop |
Hook or chorus: what is the difference?
The chorus is a section of the song. A hook is a moment inside it, or outside it. A chorus usually contains a hook, and often the hook is the title line, but a song can have a hook in the intro (a riff) and another in the verse. A song can also have more than one.
Where hooks live
- The chorus. The title line sung on the strongest melody.
- The intro. A riff or phrase that tells you the song within seconds.
- The end of a verse. A line that drops into the chorus.
- The outro. A repeating phrase that fades out.
What makes a hook work
- It is short. A few notes or a few words. If you cannot sing it back after one hearing, simplify it.
- It repeats. A hook earns its place by coming back, usually in the same place each time.
- It contrasts. The hook stands out because what is around it is plainer: a higher note, a rhythm change, a pause just before it.
- It is easy to say. Words that sing easily in the mouth stick better than clever ones.
How to write a hook
- Start with the title line. Write ten short phrases about the song's idea and pick the one you can imagine hearing over and over.
- Sing it, do not just say it. Try it on different notes and rhythms. Keep the version that feels natural to sing.
- Repeat it. Put it at the start or end of the chorus, or both. Repetition is what makes it a hook.
- Make the line before it set it up. A rise, a pause or a question in the line before makes the hook land.
- Test it. Play it for someone, then ask them to sing back what they remember. That is your hook.
Keep your hook ideas
Hooks often turn up as a few seconds in a long, rambling voice memo. In songdrafts you can drop a marker on a take at the point where the hook is, name it, and tap the marker to jump straight back to it. Every take of the song stacks on one card with the lyrics, so the hook is never lost somewhere in a pile of recordings.
Common questions
What is the hook of a song?
The part people remember: usually the title line sung in the chorus, or a short riff or melody that repeats.
Is the hook always in the chorus?
No. Often it is, but a hook can be in the intro, the verse or the outro.
How long should a hook be?
Short, from a few notes to a line of lyrics. If it takes more than one hearing to sing back, it is probably too long.
Can a song have more than one hook?
Yes. Many songs have a riff hook in the intro and a lyric hook in the chorus.
What is the difference between a hook and a refrain?
A refrain is a line that repeats at the end of each verse. A hook is the catchiest part, wherever it is. A refrain can be a hook.
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