Verse replacing opener in pub song (5)

I believe the answer is:

vocal

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'song' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

I can't explain the remainder of the clue.

(Other definitions for vocal that I've seen before include "speaking loudly" , "Loud in complaining" , "Given to speech, often in protest" , "(Performance of) piece that is sung" , "To do with the voice, say cords" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.

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