Question

[jdblessing1970]

I was looking over some lyrics I wrote last year for a Christmas song and I realized yesterday that while the verses are in 4/4 time, the chorus is written for 3/4. Is it "permissable" for songs to switch like that or should I work on rewriting the chorus to fit the timing of the verses?

 

[jdblessing1970]

I was looking over some lyrics I wrote last year for a Christmas song and I realized yesterday that while the verses are in 4/4 time, the chorus is written for 3/4. Is it "permissable" for songs to switch like that or should I work on rewriting the chorus to fit the timing of the verses?

Here's the first verse and chorus:

In a tiny little home on the outskirts of town
A precious little child laid her Christmas wishes down
For a great big man with a great big heart
For whom spreading Christmas cheer plays a great big part

She said, Santa last year I looked hard for your sleigh
But you didn’t make it here at all by Christmas day
Momma says you had trouble finding our neighborhood
I hope you make it this year; I’ve tried to be good.

And Santa, I believe in you
You’re real, I know it’s true
No matter what others may say
My faith won’t go away
‘Cause, Santa, I believe in you.​

 

[Whatmysay]

Shinny Happy People by REM did well with time changes - I do not think there are any rules - I think the transition between the two is the key to it.

IMHO it is down to the bass (or bass strings of 6 strings) and the foot drum (if in arrangement) - a good song has many hooks lyrical and musical - so the time change could be just what you want to make the song hook - particularly if you composed it that way quite organically