Hit Songs Deconstructed - Powerful Analytical Tools for the Music Industry

Then & Now


A lot can happen in a year, especially when it comes to hit songwriting. What’s hot today may not necessarily be hot tomorrow, and vice versa.

Below is a brief comparison of how intros, first choruses, lead vocal gender, record labels and sub-genres have changed (or remained the same) compared to last year.

Shorter length intros became more popular

Q3-2013

The moderately short (0:10 – 0:19) intro length category was the most popular, accounting for 52% of songs. Amongst its representatives were Applause, Cruise, Cups, and Get Lucky.

The long (0:30+) intro length category was the least popular, of which there were no representatives.

Q3-2014

The short (0:01 – 0:09) intro length category became the most popular, accounting for 53% of songs. Amongst its representatives were All Of Me, Break Free, Fancy, and Shake It Off.

The moderately short category dropped to the #2 spot, accounting for 41% of songs.

The least popular was still the long (0:30+) category, of which there were no representatives.

Songs got to the chorus faster

Q3-2013

The moderately late (0:40 – 0:59) first chorus occurrence category was by far the most popular, accounting for 50% of songs. Amongst its representatives were Best Song Ever, Holy Grail, Just Give Me A Reason, and Royals.

The late (1:00+) first chorus occurrence category was the least popular, represented by just one song – Can’t Hold Us.

Q3-2014

The moderately early (0:20 – 0:39) first chorus occurrence category became most popular, accounting for 47% of songs. Amongst its representatives were Bang Bang, Boom Clap, Chandelier, and Problem.

The moderately late category dropped to the #2 spot, trailing far behind at just 26% of songs.

The late (1:00+) category was once again the least popular and was represented by just one song, Latch.

Solo male lead vocals remained the most popular

Q3-2013

The solo male lead vocal category was the most popular, accounting for 42% of songs. Amongst its representatives were Bezerk, Love Somebody, Treasure, and Radioactive.

The all female duet/group vocal lead category was the least popular; of which there were no representatives.

Q3-2014

The solo male lead vocal category was still the most popular, accounting for 45% of songs. Its representatives included All Of Me, Am I Wrong, Latch and Maps.

The all male duet/group lead vocal category was the least popular. It was represented by just one song, Wiggle (Jason Derulo & Snoop Dogg).

Additionally, the all female duet/group category moved into third place, accounting for 15% of songs. It was represented by Black Widow (Iggy Azalea & Rita Ora), Fancy (Iggy Azalea & Charli XCX), and Bang Bang (Jessie J, Ariana Grande & Nicki Minaj).

Sub-Genres: R&B’s prominence more than doubled

Q3-2013

R&B/Soul played a role in shaping the sound of 33% of top 10 hits, both within and outside the R&B/Soul primary genre category and in varying level of prominence. Amongst its representatives were Blurred Lines, Get Lucky, Hold On, We’re Going Home, and Holy Grail.

Q3-2014

R&B/Soul’s prominence more than doubled, playing a role within 70% of songs. Amongst its representatives were All Of Me, Bang Bang, Problem, Stay With Me, and Wiggle

Republic remained the top performing label

Q3-2013

Republic was the top performing label, accounting for 21% of songs. Amongst its representatives were Cruise, Cups, Hold On, We’re Going Home, and The Way.

Q3-2014

Republic was once again the top performing label, accounting for 25% of songs. Its representatives included Anaconda, Bang Bang, Break Free, Problem and Shake It Off.

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