Codetta and Anthem Postchorus Types in Top-40 Pop from 2010 to 2015

Abstract

In this article, I present two broad types of postchoruses determined according to the rhetorical role of closing material and the particular placement of buildup and climax over the course of the chorus and postchorus. The codetta-type postchorus is characterized as an independent section of music featuring closing material that follows the attainment of closure in the chorus. The anthem-type postchorus is an independent and climactic section of music that follows a building chorus. For this study, 1335 Top-40 songs from 2010 to 2015 were surveyed. Of these songs, 13.3% had a postchorus. Examples discussed in this article include “Roar” by Katy Perry (2013), “Undo It” by Carrie Underwood (2010), “Party Rock Anthem” by LMFAO (2011), “I Need Your Love” by Calvin Harris ft. Ellie Goulding (2012), “La La La” by Naughty Boy ft. Sam Smith (2013), and “Animals” by Maroon 5 (2014).