A hook is a musical idea, a passage or phrase, that is believed to be catchy and helps the song stand out, it is, "meant to catch the ear of the listener" (Covach 2005, p.71). This term generally applies to popular music, especially pop music.

In "Be My Baby", performed by The Ronettes the hook consists of the "be my baby" lyrics over the conventional I-vi-IV-V chord progression of the chorus (ibid).

See also: riff, lick (music).

Source

• Stein, Deborah (2005). Engaging Music: Essays in Music Analysis. New York: Oxford University Press. ISBN 0195170105.
  • Covach, John. "Form in Rock Music: A Primer".