Chiaroscuro Posted October 15, 2007 Report Share Posted October 15, 2007 What is the definition of "a hook". I hear DJs saying "that song has a great hook", and the legendary John Peel once said "that song has three hooks". Technically, what exactly is a hook? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheLizard Posted October 15, 2007 Report Share Posted October 15, 2007 From what I understand, it's the opening part of a song, generally a kickass guitar riff when it comes to rock, that immediately grabs your attention and makes you continue to listen. For example, "Life In The Fast Lane" has a really good hook. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucky Posted October 16, 2007 Report Share Posted October 16, 2007 I don't know that it's specifically the opening of a song. I think it's more... the hook . I think it's the the part that grabs you, a riff, a repeated line, etc. Someone will come along with an exact definition. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
c_s_1987 Posted October 16, 2007 Report Share Posted October 16, 2007 I don't think it's the opening, just the thing that makes the song "catchy". Examples of popular songs with hooks: Baker Street - Gerry Rafferty (Saxophone hook) Sweet Child O' Mine - Guns N' Roses (Guitar hook) Kashmir - Led Zeppelin (Guitar/keyboard hook) I tried to think of a song with a keyboard/piano hook that isn't by an Australian band, but I failed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
c_s_1987 Posted October 16, 2007 Report Share Posted October 16, 2007 Hooks on Wikipedia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
indigoboo Posted October 16, 2007 Report Share Posted October 16, 2007 I think Blues Traveler defined it extremely well. The hook is what brings you back. Blues Traveler - Hook Lyrics It doesn't matter what I say So long as I sing with inflection That makes you feel I'll convey Some inner truth or vast reflection But I've said nothing so far And I can keep it up for as long as it takes And it don't matter who you are If I'm doing my job then it's your resolve that breaks Because the hook brings you back I ain't tellin' you no lie The hook brings you back On that you can rely There is something amiss I am being insincere In fact I don't mean any of this Still my confession draws you near To confuse the issue I refer To familiar heroes from long ago No matter how much Peter loved her What made the Pan refuse to grow Was that the hook brings you back I ain't tellin' you no lie The hook brings you back On that you can rely Suck it in suck it in suck it in If you're Rin Tin Tin or Anne Boleyn Make a desperate move or else you'll win And then begin To see What you're doing to me this MTV is not for free It's so PC it's killing me So desperately I sing to thee Of love Sure but also rage and hate and pain and fear of self And I can't keep these feeling on the shelf I've tried well no in fact I lied Could be financial suicide but I've got too much pride inside To hide or slide I'll do as I'll decide and let it ride till until I've died And only then shall I abide by this tide Of catchy little tunes Of hip three minute diddys I wanna bust all your ballons I wanna burn of all your cities to the ground But I've found I will not mess around Unless I play then hey I will go on all day Hear what I say I have a prayer to pray That's really all this was And when I'm feeling stuck and need a buck I don't rely on luck because Because the hook brings you back I ain't tellin' you no lie The hook brings you back On that you can rely Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tenacious_Peaches Posted October 16, 2007 Report Share Posted October 16, 2007 Excellent, excellent, excellent, indigoboo! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blue_n_white Posted October 16, 2007 Report Share Posted October 16, 2007 I think a "hook" can be several things. Great guitar riffs,great lyrics,catchy melodies,ect.,ect. I think the classic songs all had some sort of "hook". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken Posted October 17, 2007 Report Share Posted October 17, 2007 UB40's "Red Red Wine" has an awesome hook. As does Johnny Nash's "Hold Me Tight".... And this has an awesome hook. Listen to that cheerful guitar line playing along underneath....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken Posted October 17, 2007 Report Share Posted October 17, 2007 UB40's Kingston Town has a great hook. And Beenieman's King Of The Dancehall has a hook that takes weeks to get out of your head... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
indigoboo Posted October 17, 2007 Report Share Posted October 17, 2007 I'm not in love with this song, but KT Tunstall's Black Horse and Cherry Tree is a hook MACHINE! It has two distinct hooks. First thing I noticed is the "woo hoo" at the end of each stanza. The second noticeable hook in that song is the "no, no, no, no-no-no". Very easy to sing along with, even the very first time you hear the song. I feel sure that the first time she ran that song by her producer, they knew they were looking squarely at a cash cow. That woman writes brilliant hooks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Posted October 17, 2007 Report Share Posted October 17, 2007 Brian Epstein was a genius, he new that if the Beatles were going to have success and their songs become hits, they had to have "hooks". He had an eloquent voice with Paul, and edgy voice with John, and a mixing voice with George. But with George he had a great guitar player, and the hooks in riffs that George displayed were fabulous. Day Tripper was the quintessential hook. And Please Please Me as was Love Me Do had the harmonica. I Saw Her Standing There it was the clapping. These hooks along with their energy and harmony launched them to stardom. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skuff Posted October 21, 2007 Report Share Posted October 21, 2007 Pink Floyd's "Bike" has a great hook: "I've got a bike, you can ride it if you like, I'd give it you but I borrowed it!.....I know a mouse and he hasn't got a house I don't know why, I call him Gerald!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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