Intimate/Grandiose, Retro/Modern, Artsy/Mainstream, Pop/Rock – these are just some of the diverse terms that describe fun.’s mega cross-over hit – We Are Young.

Written by Antonoff, Dost, Means and Ruess, it was the first single released from their Some Nights album, and to-date has hit #1 on eight charts in five countries throughout the world, including the Billboard Hot 100, Pop Songs, Rock Songs, and Alternative Songs charts in the U.S.

So – just what made a song filled with so much diversity so effective and popular? A few of the many reasons explored in depth within the report include:

• We Are Young comes across as unique & original in relation to songs topping TODAY’S charts, while also possessing a “familiar” sound that provides the listener with a “comfort level” that quickly hooks them in on a deeper level within the song (think Elton John, Queen, Ben Folds 5 influences.)

• Effective licensing (Glee, Chevrolet Super Bowl Ad) that led to widespread visibility taking the song (and the band) to a level that would have been difficult, if not impossible to achieve in such a quick time frame in today’s music industry.

• Strong production and engineering values that fuse intimate/grandiose, retro/modern and Pop/Rock seamlessly under one roof.

• The listener is provided with TWO strong payoffs within the song – one in the chorus and one in the bridge. (THREE if you include the breakdown chorus that occurs after the bridge. It lends itself to an “audience participation sing-along” in a live setting.)

Check out the full report to see how all of the elements came together in propelling We Are Young to the top of the charts!

Written by Kenny Chesney and Brett James, Reality was the 5th single released from Chesney’s Hemingway’s Whiskey album, hitting #1 on the Billboard Country Songs Chart during the week of March 17, 2012.

As you’ll see throughout Reality’s Deconstruction, the song contains core attributes such as a strong, engaging intro and memorable chorus that aided in its rise to #1, but also possesses key flaws such as a lackluster vocal performance from Chesney that no doubt accelerated its quick fall from the top. Two weeks after hitting #1, Reality didn’t even crack the Country Songs top 40.

Star power can get you there, but the song itself will determine for how long!

Check out the full report to see what worked, what didn’t, and what can be learned from Kenny Chesney’s Reality.

Written by Elofsson, Tamposi, Gamson, and Kurstin and produced by Greg Kurstin, Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You) was the second single released from Kelly Clarkson’s fifth album, Stronger, and to date has landed in the top 10 in eight countries throughout the world and hit #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and Hot Dance Club Songs charts.

So, what made Stronger such an effective song causing it to rise to the top of the charts? Just a few of the many factors contained within the report include:

• An outstanding, engaging vocal performance from Clarkson that exemplifies raw human emotion.

• Superior crafting that engages the listener from the get-go and culminates with an exceptionally strong payoff in the chorus.

• A combination of Love/Relationship and Inspirational/Empowerment themed lyrics conveyed in a simplistic yet emotionally charged manner making it easy for the listener to connect.

First Look:
Here’s a first look at Kelly Clarkson’s vocal melody in Stronger. As you can see, her register reflects the emotional intensity present in each section of the song, peaking in the chorus and bridge.

You can find a full breakdown for each section of the song within the full report.