doesn't affect me because normally I have a two bar introduction (or more!) for most songs and the vocal melody can 'pick up' before the verse starts. 'frame the song' for chorus length and there is usually a bar or two before the following choruses allowing the 'pick up' again. quite a lot of songs follow that format so unless you need to 'pick up' over silence the problem doesn't arise.

or have i missed your point entirely? smile