There have been a lot of discussions about "standard structures" in songs, & some will poo-poo my suggestion pf a bridge, prolly.
I think the bridge is invaluable, though, in that it can really nail home the main theme, once you go away from it & return. There are few other ways to really do that. The only alternative that comes to mind is the key change. Stepping off the path for a bridge makes the return to that path real sweet, imho, especially when you're dealing with a slower song like this one. Without that bridge, it just seems to drag after a bit, unless it's very short.
There are reasons that some things are popular.
I think the bridge is invaluable, though, in that it can really nail home the main theme, once you go away from it & return. There are few other ways to really do that. The only alternative that comes to mind is the key change. Stepping off the path for a bridge makes the return to that path real sweet, imho, especially when you're dealing with a slower song like this one. Without that bridge, it just seems to drag after a bit, unless it's very short.
There are reasons that some things are popular.
SMILE - it's the safest way to spread your cheeks!