what is a refrain in music

A refrain in music is a repeated line or verse used throughout a song, often with an accompanying melody particular to that line/verse. It is a recurring theme or motif that helps to establish a songs identity and build emotional resonance. Refrains are used in all kinds of music, from classical to folk to pop and jazz music. In music, a refrain has two parts: the lyrics of the song and the melody. Sometimes refrains vary their words slightly when repeated, but recognizability is given to the refrain by the fact that it is always sung to the same tune, and the rhymes, if present, are preserved despite the variations of the words. Refrains are used to get listeners hooked to a song or used to reinforce a point in a songs story. The term "refrain" applies to a songs lyric, while the word "chorus" applies to a songs music. All choruses are refrains, but not all refrains are choruses.