The picked intro to Run to You sets a moody feel to the song. This is due to the choice of a minor key and aided further by the addition of an atmospheric 'yearning' guitar lead before the singing begins.

During the chorus the guitar plays on the off beats, adding a great deal of rhythm and movement. This helps to give the chorus separation from the rigid rhythm of the verse and lifts the whole song into action.

We then drop back down to the guitar riff on it's own, joined again shortly after by the same atmospheric lead guitar part. Using peaks and troughs such as these helps to separate the parts of the song and build excitement and direction.

The percussion kicks back in as the singing begins in the second verse. This helps to give us a sense that the song is now in full swing and makes verse two a little different from verse one. Again, the song builds dynamics and volume leading into the chorus, which is now repeated twice to really hammer the hook-line home.

The lead solo in the middle of the song uses a simple melody, which creates a mellow soothing mood. By using a major key, the guitarist adds quite a different feel to the song. This is helped further by the introduction of a major harmony riff being played over the second half of the solo on another guitar. Harmonising lead guitar parts is a common way of repeating the same melody without it becoming boring. It also adds a more interesting and musical feel to the solo. (To hear good use of harmonised lead guitar parts, also check out Thin Lizzy and Iron Maiden.)

In contrast again, the minor feel of the chorus riff, takes us back to a harder sound allowing the full power of the chorus to shine through as the whole band kick back in again.

The chorus is repeated several times at the end of the song with ad-libbed vocals. This helps to further emphasise a more human element to the song, and the emotional context in which the writer wants the lyrics to be understood.

What can we learn?

• Choose a key that suits the mood you want to create for a song. Minor for moody, sad or mean. Major for happy and light.
• Use expressive lead guitar parts, feedback and effects to add diversity rather than just a plain solo.
• Add instruments as the song progresses to build dynamics
• Sing the song like you mean it.
• Use various mixtures of rhythm within a song such as the off beats used here in the chorus.
• Create peaks and troughs using loud and quiet parts in your songs.
• Take the listener on a journey to lots of musically different places .
• Repeat choruses to hammer hook lines home.
• Solo sections can be completely different to the rest of the song. Instead of just playing over a chord sequence used elsewhere in the song, why not create an entirely new part.
• Use guitar harmonies to liven up and embellish lead parts.
• Use contrasting parts or keys to create drama and excitement.
• Add-libbed vocals create a more human and emotional feel to song.