Bridges

For those that aren't familiar with musical bridges, they're a structural and harmonic variance from a song's main melodic line that often leads up to and includes the song's climax. 99% of songs today use the intro, verse, chorus, verse, chorus, bridge, chorus formula to a tee.

It occurred to me recently that the bridges of many songs nowadays suck. I think it has to do with a few factors.

1. If you're forced to meet deadlines and write/produce songs that stem from something other than your innate creativity, there is bound to be a hit in quality at some point. Not that these songs can't still be great, but I think bridges are the most apparent place for the dips. "Oh shoot, gotta meet the formula... let's just throw these chords in there, yeah?"
2. Writers often work in teams of 2-4 on a given song, with numerous outside contributors, arrangers and musicians. With so many people, I think the song can sometimes lack a singular vision, and the overarching tone and feel can get lost, especially in bridges.
3. The increased use of synthesized beats and background, which takes away from the organic-ness that could come with composing on real instruments.
4. Pandering to the lowest common denominator, which does not typically appreciate innovation, creativity or boldness. Most of us write off new-age music as music that sounds like whales mating in a Buddhist Temple, don't we?

Therefore, many bridges have been reduced to a predictably rising chord progression that only tangentially relates to the feel of the song (Disturbia). Stevie Wonder didn't have bridges in most of his songs as he preferred a change in key or instrumental break, but there's only one Stevie Wonder I guess.

Epically great bridge: Iris - Goo Goo Dolls