Using Resolutions in Songwriting

Music tells a story, not just in the lyrics, but in the melody and chord structure too.

And these stories usually have some kind of setup and conclusion. A way of taking the narrative to an uncomfortable place before bringing it down to a satisfying completion. In music, this is called Resolution.

Wikipedia states:

'Resolution in western tonal music theory is the move of a note or chord from dissonance (an unstable sound) to a consonance (a more final or stable sounding one). Dissonance, resolution, and suspense can be used to create musical interest.'

Look at this song by Bob Dylan, titled It Ain't Me Babe. He is constantly setting up a dissonance and then making a resolution. Most obviously in the lyrics:

You say you're looking for someone who's weak but always strong
To protect you and defend you whether you are right or wrong
Someone to open each and every door
But it ain't me babe, no no no it ain't me babe
It ain't me you're looking for

But also in the chords and pace of the song. Listen to the song or play it in your head - can you hear the chords G and C in the opening line are more drawn out than the G, D and G at the end of the line? There is a quicker finish to the line, which gives a kind of resolution.

(G)Go 'way from my (C)window, (G)leave at your (D)own chosen (G)speed

In the chorus, the chords come along even faster:

But it ain't (G)me babe, (C)no no (D)no it ain't (G)me babe.
It ain't (C)me you're (D)looking (G)for.

The melody follows a similar pattern too. In the lead up to the chorus, melodic notes and his vocal style follow an ascending structure, asking a question. He then answers this question and descends the notes and vocals back to a familiar starting place - thus forming a resolution.

The Cure wrote Friday I'm In Love, which is full of resolutions. The most memorable part of the song is the repeating verse. The melody repeats in the same manner with only the lyrics changing, all except for the song title at the end of each verse. This is the resolution. They create a set up with the opening three lines each time.

Similar to Dylan's song, the melody charges forward with ascending energy before bringing a sense of relief to the listener in the final line:

I don't care if Monday's blue
Tuesday's grey and Wednesday too
Thursday I don't care about you
It's Friday I'm in Love

Using resolution is an excellent way of bringing your songs to life and creating drama with just a few lines. The examples I've used so far have a quick evolution from dissonance to consonance. In my next example, you can see it can be equally effective by approaching it slowly and emotionally.

Adele's Someone Like You takes its time and has a more complex arrangement. The first section is part one of the setup and sets the scene. It's downbeat and reflective, both in lyrics and melody:

I heard you're settled down
That you found a girl and you're married now
I heard that you're dreams came true
Guess she gave you things I didn't give to you

Then she turns up drama a notch, as part two of the setup, putting herself out there and exposed:

I hate to turn up out of the blue uninvited
But I couldn't stay away, I couldn't fight it
I'd hope you'd see my face and that you'd be reminded
That for me it isn't over

The resolution comes when she realises it's all worthless and decides to offer her hopes and desires:

Never mind, I'll find someone like you
I wish nothing but the best for you two
Don't forget me, I beg, I'll remember you said
Sometimes it last in love but sometimes it hurts instead

Building tension in a song often amounts to using despair or longing to show the songwriters anguish and emotional journey. It creates a darker scene that is waiting to be lightened up by a chorus or a final line. The tension is released and a resolution found.