The musical 2-1-1 code

I’ve written about this before, in print - not here, and didn’t get a satisfactory answer. Once again, I’m like the last to get the memo. I never knew until recently that almost all pop songs follow the 2-1-1 pattern. 2 pairs of verse and chorus, then a portion that deviates a lot or a little in speed, words or pitch, and then back to verse and chorus. Who had this idea first, or is it just natural in all music to have the counterpoint to the main thrust of the song – a break, a change, a step out of the pattern, before returning to the central theme. I don’t know why I find this so fascinating. Does anyone have any thoughts or insight to share on this matter?

Comments

[steve turnbull]

Hey Carl, I read a couple of years ago somewhere that Stephen Foster invented the practice of placing a bridge or break in the middle of his songs...essentially inventing the "modern" pop song. He's famous for songs like Old Folks at Home, My Old Kentucky Home, Jeannie With the Light Brown Hair, Hard Times Come Again No More, Beautiful Dreamer, and of course Oh! Susannah.