AABB Rhyme Scheme Explained

The AABB rhyme scheme, also known as the couplet rhyme, is the simplest and most common four-line stanza structure in music and poetry. It is defined by its paired rhyming lines, which create a highly predictable and driving rhythm.

In this structure, the first two lines rhyme, and the third and fourth lines rhyme.

• The first line ends with the A sound.
• The second line ends with the A sound.
• The third line ends with the B sound.
• The fourth line ends with the B sound.

For a true AABB scheme, the A rhymes (and B rhymes) should be perfect rhymes: words whose final stressed vowels and all subsequent sounds are identical (e.g., care/share, too/do). In practice, many songs use near rhymes while still functioning effectively as AABB.

Note on Coupled Rhymes: AABB is built from the most common rhyming pattern: the couplet (AA, BB, CC, etc.). This pairing can be extended indefinitely for longer stanzas, resulting in schemes like AABBCC (six lines) or AABBCCDD (eight lines). The core concept remains the same: consecutive lines rhyme.

The Function and Effects of AABB

The AABB scheme excels at creating forward momentum and easier memorization. The predictability of the paired rhymes gives the lyrics an almost sing-song rhythm that is easy to follow.

Because of its simplicity, the scheme is defined by the following characteristics:

Rhythm

It provides a steady, fast-paced rhythm perfect for verses that need to deliver a lot of information quickly (exposition) or set up a strong, simple hook. In many classic AABB songs, the lines have a nearly identical length, further contributing to the marching, repetitive feel.

Memorability

AABB is often found in the chorus of complex songs and is the foundation for most nursery rhymes and early pop music due to its easy recall.

Genre Versatility

This scheme is used in all types of music, but it’s especially prominent in early rock & roll, simple folk songs, doo-wop, and straightforward country music.

AABB Rhyme Scheme Examples in Popular Music

Below are six examples of AABB used in well-known songs.

Example 1: “Daniel” by Elton John

Elton John’s classic uses AABB throughout, but it’s most obvious in the verses.

Daniel is travelin’ tonight on a plane (A)
I can see the red taillights headin’ for Spain (A)
Oh, and I can see Daniel wavin’ goodbye (B)
Must be the clouds in my eyes (B)

Related: “Daniel” Song Meaning

Example 2: “Someone Like You” by Adele

The verses in Adele’s hit use the AABB scheme.

I heard that you’re settled down (A)
That you found a girl and you’re married now (A)
I heard that your dreams came true (B)
Guess she gave you things I didn’t give to you (B)

Related: “Someone Like You” Song Meaning

Example 3: “Biscuits” by Kacey Musgraves

This 2015 country track uses the AABB scheme throughout, including in the chorus.

Just ho​e your own row and raise your own babies (A)
Smoke your own smoke and grow your own daisies (A)
Mend your own fences and own your own crazy (B)
Mind your own biscuits and life will be gravy (B)

Example 4: “Sunday Bloody Sunday” by U2

The second verse of U2’s ’80s track is another great example of AABB.

Broken bottles under children’s feet (A)
Bodies strewn across the dead-end street (A)
But I won’t heed the battle call (B)
It puts my back up, puts my back up against the wall (B)

Related: “Sunday Bloody Sunday” Song Meaning

Example 5: “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star”

Lullabies like “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” are well-known for using this rhyme scheme.

Twinkle, twinkle, little star (A)
How I wonder what you are (A)
Up above the world so high (B)
Like a diamond in the sky (B)

Related: Best Campfire Songs

Example 6: “Only You (And You Alone)” by The Platters

Like many of the doo-wop tracks of the ’50s, “Only You” has a classic AABB pattern.

Only you can make, oh, this world seem right (A)
Only you can make the darkness bright (A)
Only you and you alone can thrill me like you do (B)
And fill my heart with love for only you (B)

Related: Best Love Songs

Tips for Using Couplets in Your Lyrics

If you’re a songwriter, use these tips to help you write an AABB rhyme scheme.

• Use it for Pacing: If you want your listener to absorb straightforward narrative information quickly without stopping to reflect, use AABB in your verse.
• Highlight the Chorus: If your verse is complex, switch to AABB in the chorus to make the most important, repeated section simple and instantly memorable.
• Mind the Monotony: Using AABB for every part of a very long song can become repetitive or “sing-songy.” To counteract this, you can vary your line lengths and rhythm to keep interest.
• Contrast Your Mood: AABB’s predictability can work against a song when the mood should be reflective, emotionally complex, or ambiguous. Consider using another scheme for those sections.

Key Takeaways

To sum up, the AABB rhyme scheme is one of the most powerful and accessible tools for any songwriter.

• Accessibility: It is the ideal structure for narrative verses and catchy, simple choruses.
• Clarity: It is highly predictable and easy for listeners to follow.
• Momentum: It creates a strong, driving, and consistent rhythm that pushes the song forward.

Related Guides

The AABB scheme is the basis for many other common structures. If you want to see how this simple pattern evolves into more complex forms, check out these related guides:

• ABAB: See how breaking the couplet into an alternating pattern creates a different sense of balance and resolution in a song.
• Internal Rhyme: See how artists pair end-rhymes (like AABB) with rhymes inside the lines for added lyrical complexity.
• Rhyme Schemes Index: View the full catalog of all rhyme schemes used in music.