I know, I know. The country/folk genre manager writing a pop article? Pretty odd, right?

Outside of country, folk and some soft rock, modern pop music is probably my most listened to genre. I shamelessly love Olivia Rodrigo, Tate McRae and even some Billie Eilish and Chappel Roan, especially their sad music. If you know me, you know I love sad music and sad pop music, which often has the best bridges out there.

In this article, I will count down five of my favorite bridges in pop music, both sad and not, and discuss why I like them so much.

No. 5 – “Revolving door” – Tate McRae

Change my mind so much I can’t find it

I work so much, can’t be reminded

Life feels worse, but good with you in it

Supposed to be on stage, but fuck it, I need a minute

Change my mind so much it’s exhaustin’

I still think ’bout that night out in Boston

I’m more hurt than I would admit

I’m supposed to be an adult, but fuck it, I need a minute (Oh)

“Revolving door,” the second song on McRae’s newest album “So Close To What,” features one of, if not my favorite, bridges from the Canadian singer. Others that I really enjoy include “want that too,” “messier” and “hate myself.” I actually contemplated putting the latter in this No. 5 spot, but this newest bridge is honestly unmatched. 

This bridge is a great confidence boost. I recently saw an Instagram reel saying the same thing, about how this guy turns into LeBron James while running when this bridge comes on. On an album that, overall, I was disappointed by, “Revolving door” is one of my favorites, and it’s thanks to this bridge. 

Also, as a New Englander, I’ve seen McRae twice in Boston. I went to MGM Music Hall for her Think Later Tour, and TD Garden for her most recent tour, so the Boston shoutout is always appreciated, even if it’s a part of a controversial backstory.

No. 4 – “Good Luck, Babe!” – Chappell Roan

Ah, ah-yeah, oh

When you wake up next to him in the middle of the night

With your head in your hands, you’re nothing more than his wife

And when you think about me all of those years ago

You’re standing face to face with “I told you so”

You know, I hate to say, I told you so

You know, I hate to say, but I told you so

Anyone making a “best bridges” article has an obligation to put this song in. One of the many songs that put Chappell Roan on the map, “Good Luck Babe!” is still the artist’s most-streamed song on Spotify. The song itself is, in my opinion, still one of her best, and much of that is due to the bridge.

The way Roan delivers this bridge is part of what makes it so iconic, as she puts everything she has into the lyrics. And the last two lines, as she elevates into the final chorus, might be the best part. Roan doesn’t have many bridges that really blow my socks off, as a lot of times they’re mundane or even nonexistent, but this one is different, and well worthy of my top five. 

No. 3 – “Break It Right Back” – Megan Moroney

So go use your fancy big words at your fancy big job

Tell your friends how you’re right and how I’m just so wrong

And how you do it all, and I don’t do enough

How you can’t settle down with a girl that lives on a tour bus

A good bridge doesn’t always have to be long. Megan Moroney, an artist who borders the country/pop line, is my personal favorite female artist ever. Though a lot of her music is not meant for me, it doesn’t take away from my enjoyment of it, and “Break It Right Back” is no exception.

Moroney has so much anguish and anger in these lyrics that help to make this bridge that much better. The line “How you can’t settle down with a girl that lives on a tour bus,” might be my favorite from her, as it perfectly describes the struggles of dating while being a touring musician.

Though this might not technically be a “pop” song, I think it toes the line, and considering she’s my favorite, its inclusion on this list was a must. 

No. 2 – “Out Of The Woods” – Taylor Swift

Remember when you hit the brakes too soon?

Twenty stitches in the hospital room

When you started crying, baby, I did too

But when the sun came up, I was lookin’ at you

Remember when we couldn’t take the heat?

I walked out, I said, “I’m settin’ you free”

But the monsters turned out to be just trees

When the sun came up, you were lookin’ at me

You were lookin’ at me, oh, you were looking at me

(Are we out of the woods yet? Are we out of the woods yet?)

(Are we out of the woods yet? Are we out of the woods?)

I remember

(Are we in the clear yet? Are we in the clear yet?)

(Are we in the clear yet, in the clear yet? Good)

Oh, I remember

Though I thought about putting the bridge to “All Too Well (10 Minute Version)” on here, I wanted one song from each artist, so that one gets the boot. My No. 2 spot is filled by the bridge of “Out of the Woods (Taylor’s Version),” a bridge that was my favorite for years, until No. 1.

This bridge is just a masterpiece, delivered by one of the greatest bridge writers of the modern era. Taylor Swift has absolutely mastered the art of the bridge, and this is one of her best. It’s a very empowering one, and I’m not sure it’s even meant to be. And the way she delivers the lyrics that are in italics above is the icing on the cake.

It’s hard to even put into words what I like about this bridge, because I think it is that perfect. 

No. 1 – “Let It Happen” – Gracie Abrams

You’ve turned all my skies to pourin’ rain

Locked me out the house again

Is this how you see me now? I’m reelin’ and I might

Break the windows, let myself back in

Lost it for a minute there

Get my shit together, it’s whatever, but I could die

Knowin’ that you’re probably out somewhere

While I’m in my underwear

Eatin’ through my feelings, I’m still reelin’ but it’s fine

Oh thank god that you’re not seeing this

I’ll spare you from everything

If you would still have me, I’ll be waitin’ all my life

This is, and might forever be, my No. 1 bridge of all time. When Gracie Abrams really blew up and received some “industry plant” labels, I decided to dive into her music to see if I was missing anything. I take pretty well to pop music as a whole, and I thought a lot of her stuff was really solid.

But when I reached the sixth song on her sophomore album “The Secret of Us,” I ascended to another planet. Aside from the rest of the song, which features a great chorus and some solid opening lines, the bridge is absolutely what makes this.

Like “Out of the Woods,” it’s hard to put into words what I like about this bridge, because in all honesty, it’s all of it. The length. The lyrics. The tone at which she sings it. It’s an absolute masterpiece in songwriting and is, without a doubt, 100% my favorite bridge of all time.

I haven’t really stuck with a lot of Abrams’ music, with a few rare exceptions, but this song will always stick with me.