While thinking about a new music reviewing project it occurred to me I really should solidify at least the basics of naming sections of songs. I've always thought that my use of the word "bridge" to describe a section of a song was wrong. Turns out, at least to wikipedia, I was right:

In song writing, a bridge is an interlude that connects two parts of that song, building a harmonic connection between those parts.

Normally you should have heard the verse at least twice. The bridge may then replace the 3rd verse or precede it. In the latter case it delays an expected chorus. The chorus after the bridge is usually last and is often repeated in order to stress that it is final.

If and when you expect a verse or a chorus and you get something that is musically and lyrically different from both verse and chorus, it is most likely the bridge.

Such honest and mater-of-fact descriptions of song structure always turns the whole act of writing a song into a farce. This used to bother me but I'm OK with it now. I no longer care. Writing music is fun. Usually a song doesn't feel finished until it has a bridge. Another "bit". Maybe that's my musical upbringing. Cool. Whatever.