Q4 Hit Songwriting Trends in Pop

Hit Songs Deconstructed Deconstructing Today's Hits for Songwriting Success http://reports.hitsongsdeconstructed.com

Q4 Hit Songwriting Trends In Pop

This report provides you with a detailed look at the key hit songwriting trends that defined all of the songs that landed in the Billboard Pop Songs top 10 from January 2013 through December 2013.

Contents:

Key Findings In Q4-2013 Trend Shifts: Q3-Q4 Average Song Length Song Length Range Average Intro Length Intro Length Range Songs That Contain An Intro Songs That Begin With The Chorus Average Outro Length Outro Length Range Songs That Contain An Outro 1st Chorus Occurrence: Average Time 1st Chorus Occurrence: Time Range 1st Chorus Occurrence: Percent Into Song 1st Chorus Occurrence: Percent Into Song Range Songs With A Pre-Chorus Songs With A Bridge Songs With A Solo Songs With An A-B-A-B-C-B Form Primary Instrumentation Primary Lead Vocal Gender Electric Vs. Acoustic Primary Sub-Genre Influence Lyrical Theme

1 / 29 Hit Songs Deconstructed Deconstructing Today's Hits for Songwriting Success http://reports.hitsongsdeconstructed.com

The Top 10 Hit Pop Songs of Q4-2013

These are the songs that landed in the top 10 on the Billboard Pop Songs chart during the fourth quarter of 2013:

*Applause (Lady Gaga)

Blurred Lines (Robin Thicke f. T.I. + Pharrell)

Clarity (Zedd f. Foxes)

*Counting Stars (OneRepublic)

Cruise (Florida Georgia Line f. Nelly)

*Demons (Imagine Dragons)

*Do What U Want (Lady Gaga f. R. Kelly)

*Hold On, We’re Going Home (Drake f. Majid Jordan)

Holy Grail (Jay Z f. Justin Timberlake)

I Need Your Love (Calvin Harris f. Ellie Goulding)

Roar (Katy Perry)

*Royals (Lorde)

Safe & Sound (Capital Cities)

Same Love (Macklemore & Ryan Lewis f. Mary Lambert)

*Slow Down (Selena Gomez)

*Stay The Night (Zedd f. Hayley Williams)

*Still Into You (Paramore)

Summertime Sadness (Lana Del Rey & Cedric Gervais)

*The Monster (Eminem f. Rihanna)

*Timber (Pitbull f. Ke$ha)

2 / 29 Hit Songs Deconstructed Deconstructing Today's Hits for Songwriting Success http://reports.hitsongsdeconstructed.com

*Unconditionally (Katy Perry)

Wake Me Up (Avicii)

*Wrecking Ball (Miley Cyrus)

(*) Signifies a “new arrival” top the Pop songs top 10 during Q4. The other songs are Q3 carryovers.

In Brief: Key Finding in Q4-2013

Lead Vocal Gender

The percentage of songs that feature a female lead vocal reached their highest level in over 4 years, accounting for the majority 48% of all songs. Additionally, note that this was the first time in over a year that the female lead vocal category has topped their male counterparts (the last time was Q3-2012).

As for duets, they saw a moderate increase as well, while songs featuring a male lead vocal saw a sharp decline during Q4, decreasing from the vast majority 57% of songs in Q3 down to just 35% by the end of the year.

Sub-Genres

The majority of top 10 hits continued to feature a fusion of multiple sub-genres despite a slight decline in number during the fourth quarter of the year.

Dance and R&B/Soul songs saw a slight increase over the preceding quarter, Hip Hop/Rap remained constant, and Rock songs continued on their downward spiral, accounting for just 4% of all songs by year’s end.

Instrumentation

There wasn’t a whole lot of fluctuation going on within the instrumentation category throughout the year. Songs featuring a combination of primary instrumentation within the mix held tight in the majority, as did songs that are primarily electric in nature. On the flip side, songs that are primarily acoustic in nature completely dropped off the map by the end of the of Q4.

Lyrical Themes

Straight-up love/relationship themed songs saw a sharp decline in Q4, decreasing from the vast majority 52% of songs in Q3 down to just 35% of songs by the end of the year. This decline was due to an increase in the number of partying/clubbing, hooking up and non- typical (“other”) themed songs entering into the Pop Songs top 10.

Note, however, that the love/relationship theme was a component in ALL of the lyrical fusion

3 / 29 Hit Songs Deconstructed Deconstructing Today's Hits for Songwriting Success http://reports.hitsongsdeconstructed.com songs of the quarter.

Song Structure

Intro

The shortest intro length category (those landing between 0:01 and 0:09) saw a significant increase over the last couple of quarters, increasing from just 26% of songs in Q2 to the vast majority (56%) of songs by the end of Q4. The second most popular category was once again the 0:10 – 0:19 range, which accounted for 31% of all songs. Longer length intros (0:20 and up) were still barely a factor in the Pop songs top 10.

As for the percentage of songs that contain an intro within their framework, they saw a moderate decline in Q4 due to an increase in the number of songs that immediately kick off with the verse or chorus.

Pre Chorus

The percentage of songs that feature a pre-chorus within their framework saw a moderate drop during the last quarter of the year, decreasing from 61% of songs in Q3 down to 52% of songs in Q4. It remains as the “optional” section within top 10 Pop songs.

Bridge

The percentage of songs that contain a bridge remained pretty much constant over the last couple of quarters, concluding the year at 70% of all songs.

Solos and Instrumental Breaks

Solos (e.g. guitar) continued to be a non-factor over the last few quarters, with the percentage of songs that feature one hanging tight at 0%. Prominent instrumental breaks, however, have been steadily increasing in number over the past couple of quarters, and by the end of the year could be found in 42% of all top 10 Pop songs.

Outro

The percentage of songs that contain an outro within their framework saw a moderate decline in Q4, decreasing from 52% of songs in Q3 down to 43% of songs by the end of the year. Of those that do contain an outro, the majority landed in the 0:10 – 0:19 range, which increased to 40% of songs during Q4.

First Chorus Occurrence

On average, the amount of time that it takes for the first chorus to hit in a top 10 Pop song has been becoming shorter over the last couple of quarters. By the end of the year, first choruses on average were hitting 0:36 / 16% of the way in.

4 / 29 Hit Songs Deconstructed Deconstructing Today's Hits for Songwriting Success http://reports.hitsongsdeconstructed.com

TREND SHIFTS: Q3-2013 to Q4-2013

On The Rise

Song Count Changes

Songs that feature a female lead vocal: 48% of songs (+13%)

Songs that feature a non-typical lyrical theme (“other”): 13% of songs (+13%)

Songs that feature a partying/clubbing lyrical theme: 9% of songs (+9%)

Songs that feature a duet: 17% of songs (+9%)

Songs that are primarily Dance in nature: 22% of songs (+5%)

Songs that are primarily R&B/Soul in nature: 9% of songs (+5%)

Songs that feature primarily electric based instrumentation: 57% of songs (+5%)

Songs that kick off with the chorus as opposed to the verse: 22% of songs (+5%)

Songs that are primarily synth driven: 26% of songs (+4%)

Songs that feature a combination of electric and acoustic based instrumentation: 43% of songs (+4%)

Songs that feature a hooking up lyrical theme: 4% of songs (+4%)

Songs that contain an instrumental break: 42% of songs (+3%)

In Decline

Song Count Changes

Songs that feature a male lead vocal: 35% of songs (-22%)

Songs that contain an intro: 70% of songs (-17%)

Songs that feature a straight-up love/relationship lyrical theme: 35% of songs (-17%)

Songs that contain an outro: 43% of songs (-9%)

Songs that contain a pre-chorus: 52% of songs (-9%)

Songs that are primarily acoustic in nature: 0% of songs (-9%)

5 / 29 Hit Songs Deconstructed Deconstructing Today's Hits for Songwriting Success http://reports.hitsongsdeconstructed.com

Songs that feature more than 1 primarily lyrical theme (i.e. lyrical fusion): 25% of songs (-9%)

Songs that are primarily Rock in nature: 4% of songs (-5%)

Songs that contain a bridge: 70% of songs (-4%)

Songs that utilize an A-B-A-B-C-B form: 35% of songs (-4%)

Songs that feature a combination of primary instrumentation within the mix: 74% of songs (-4%)

Songs that feature more than 1 primary sub-genre influence (i.e. Pop Fusion songs): 52% of songs (-4%)

Song Time Changes

Average time where the first chorus occurs within a song: 0:36 (-0:03)

Remaining Constant (+/- 0:01 or 1%)

Song Count

Songs that are primarily guitar driven: 0% of songs (constant)

Songs that are primarily Hip Hop/Rap in nature: 13% of songs (constant)

Songs that feature an inspirational/empowerment lyrical theme: 13% of songs (constant)

Songs that contain a solo: 0% of songs (constant)

Song Time

Average song length: 3:51(constant)

Average intro length: 0:13 (-0:01)

Average outro length: 0:18 (constant)

Average percent into a song where the first chorus occurs: 16% (-1%)

Hit Songwriting Trends In Pop: Q4-2012 – Q3-2013

6 / 29 Hit Songs Deconstructed Deconstructing Today's Hits for Songwriting Success http://reports.hitsongsdeconstructed.com

Average Song Length Shows how average song length has been trending over time

As you can see in the graph above, the average length of a top 10 hit Pop song remained virtually constant throughout the entire year. From Q1 to Q4, it increased by only 0:01, landing at 3:51 by year’s end.

Song Length Range Shows the percentage of total songs that have song lengths landing in a particular time range

7 / 29 Hit Songs Deconstructed Deconstructing Today's Hits for Songwriting Success http://reports.hitsongsdeconstructed.com

LEAST POPULAR: Shorter Length Songs (-2:59)

Songs that land under 3:00 in length have always been in the minority on the Pop songs chart, and it was no different during the last quarter of the year. After peaking at 13% of songs in Q3 (which was the category’s highest level in 4 years), it dropped back down to just 4% by year’s end, and was represented by just 1 song (Demons – 2:55).

Short to Moderate Length Songs (3:00 – 3:29)

This category remained constant as the third most popular between Q3 and Q4, accounting for just 17% of songs.

MOST POPULAR: Moderate to Longer Length Songs (3:30 – 3:59)

After embarking on a steady decline since the beginning of the year and reaching a 4 year low during Q3, the 3:30 – 3:59 range saw a tremendous rebound in Q4, accounting for the vast majority 48% of songs by year’s end.

Longer Length Songs (+4:00)

In contrast to the 3:30 – 3:59 range, the 4:00+ category reversed course after a steady 3 quarter gain that started back at the beginning of the year. Following a 4 year high of 43% in Q3, the category dropped down to 30% of songs by year’s end. It remained as the second most popular, however.

8 / 29 Hit Songs Deconstructed Deconstructing Today's Hits for Songwriting Success http://reports.hitsongsdeconstructed.com

Average Intro Length Shows how average intro length has trended over time

Average intro length remained pretty much constant throughout much of the year. After increasing from 0:11 to 0:14 during Q2, it leveled off in Q3 until decreasing by just 0:01 during Q4 to land at 0:13 by year’s end.

Intro Length Range Shows the percentage of total songs that have intro lengths landing in a particular time range

9 / 29 Hit Songs Deconstructed Deconstructing Today's Hits for Songwriting Success http://reports.hitsongsdeconstructed.com

Not surprisingly, the number of songs that contain an intro on the shorter end of the spectrum accounted for the vast majority of songs, while those on the longer side were barely a factor in chart-topping Pop hits.

MOST POPULAR: Short Intros (0:01 – 0:09)

After initially declining to a 4 year low during Q2, the shortest intro length category saw a strong rebound over the last 2 quarters of the year. By the end of Q4, it accounted for the vast majority 56% of songs.

Short to Moderate Length Intros (0:10 – 0:19)

In contrast to the short intro category, the short to moderate length category saw a steady decline during the last 2 quarters of the year. By year’s end it accounted for 31% of all songs, though still in second place, however.

Moderate to Long Length Intros (0:20 – 0:29)

After peaking at just 10% of songs during Q3, this category saw a slight decline in Q4, accounting for just 6% of all songs by year’s end.

LEAST POPULAR: Long Intros (0:30+)

Along with the moderate to long length category, longer length intros were barely a factor throughout the year, also accounting for just 6% of songs by the end of Q4.

10 / 29 Hit Songs Deconstructed Deconstructing Today's Hits for Songwriting Success http://reports.hitsongsdeconstructed.com

Songs That Contain An Intro Shows the percentage of total songs that contain an intro in their framework

The percentage of songs that contain an intro within their framework saw a moderate drop during the last quarter of the year, decreasing from 87% of songs in Q3 down to 70% in Q4.

The reason for the decline was due to the increase in the number of songs that immediately kick off with the chorus or verse.

And speaking of immediately kicking off with the verse, there were more songs that did this during Q4 than any other point throughout the entire year. They included Stay The Night, Holy Grail, Demons and Royals. Despite the increase, however, it’s still a rarity.

Songs That Begin With The Chorus Shows the percentage of total songs that begin with the chorus as opposed to the verse

11 / 29 Hit Songs Deconstructed Deconstructing Today's Hits for Songwriting Success http://reports.hitsongsdeconstructed.com

After dropping down to its second lowest level in almost 4 years during Q3, the percentage of songs that kick off with the chorus as opposed to the verse rebounded in Q4, accounting for 22% of all songs by year’s end. Notice that this percentage was pretty much in line with that of the first 2 quarters of the year.

Average Outro Length Shows how average outro length has trended over time

12 / 29 Hit Songs Deconstructed Deconstructing Today's Hits for Songwriting Success http://reports.hitsongsdeconstructed.com

After decreasing slightly during Q2 and Q3, the average length of a top 10 outro remained constant during Q4, landing at 0:18.

Outro Length Range Shows the percentage of total songs that have outro lengths land in a particular time range

13 / 29 Hit Songs Deconstructed Deconstructing Today's Hits for Songwriting Success http://reports.hitsongsdeconstructed.com

As you can see in the graph above, during Q3 the 2 “middle of the road” ranges accounted for the vast majority of songs that utilized an outro within their framework, while those on the more extreme ends of the spectrum (very long and very short) were in the minority.

During the last quarter of the year, the following shifts took place:

Short/moderate length outros increased from 33% to 40% of all songs, accounting for the vast majority by year’s end.

Moderate/long outros saw a moderate decrease in number, dropping from 33% of songs down to just 20%.

The “extreme” ranges (short and long) saw a slight increase in number during Q4, both accounting for 20% of all songs by year’s end as well.

Songs That Contain An Outro Shows the percentage of total songs that contain an outro in their framework

After steadily increasing during the first 3 quarters of the year and culminating in a 3+ year high, the percentage of songs that feature an outro within their framework declined during Q4,

14 / 29 Hit Songs Deconstructed Deconstructing Today's Hits for Songwriting Success http://reports.hitsongsdeconstructed.com accounting for 43% of all songs by year’s end. It’s still the second highest level in 2-1/2 years, however.

1st Chorus Occurrence: Average Time Shows the average time where the first chorus occurs within the song

The average amount of time that it takes for the first chorus to hit in chart-topping Pop songs has steadily been becoming shorter over the last 2 quarters. By the end of Q4 it averaged at 0:36 of the way into a song, which is the earliest it’s been in a year and a half.

The reason for the continued decline can primarily be attributed to the greater influx of songs that contain an intro on the shorter end of the spectrum, the increase in the number of songs that kick off with the chorus as opposed to the verse, and the lesser amount of songs that contain a pre-chorus within their framework (specifically during Q4).

15 / 29 Hit Songs Deconstructed Deconstructing Today's Hits for Songwriting Success http://reports.hitsongsdeconstructed.com

1st Chorus Occurrence: Time Range Shows the percentage of total songs that had their first chorus occur in a particular time range

The 2 “middle of the road” first chorus occurrence ranges remained as the most popular throughout the entire year.

Notice that the 0:20 – 0:39 range became more popular as the year progressed while those on the longer end of the spectrum (0:40 – 0:59) decreased in prominence over the last couple of quarters. Again, this was primarily due to increased prominence of shorter intros coupled with the decrease in the number of songs that feature a pre-chorus within their framework.

Additionally, first choruses that occur farthest into the song continued to lose ground, and were barely a factor by year’s end (and for good reason – you want to hit with the payoff ASAP!)

On the flip side, choruses that occurred in the 0:01 – 0:19 range remained constant over the last 2 quarters of the year, accounting for 22% of all songs. Note that this category primarily accounts for songs that kick off with the chorus as opposed to the verse.

1st Chorus Occurrence: Average Percent Into Song Shows the average percent into the song where the first chorus occurs

16 / 29 Hit Songs Deconstructed Deconstructing Today's Hits for Songwriting Success http://reports.hitsongsdeconstructed.com

Over the past year, the average percent into the song where the first chorus occurs remained pretty much constant, decreasing by just 2% from Q1 to Q4.

1st Chorus Occurrence: Percent Into Song Range Shows the percentage of total songs that had their first chorus occur at a particular percent range into the song

17 / 29 Hit Songs Deconstructed Deconstructing Today's Hits for Songwriting Success http://reports.hitsongsdeconstructed.com

When we talk about the percentage into the song where the first chorus occurs, we’re talking about the occurrence relative to the length of the entire song (which is why the results sometimes differ from the “time into song” section, which doesn’t take into account total song length).

As you can see in the graph above, the vast majority of songs had their first chorus occurring within the 2 “middle of the road” ranges throughout the entire year. During Q4, however, notice that the 10% – 19% range saw a significant increase over Q3, increasing from 35% to the vast majority 48% of songs. Conversely, the 20% – 29% range continued to decrease in number, accounting for 30% of songs by year’s end.

The next most popular was the 1% – 9% range, which accounts primarily for songs that kick off with the chorus as opposed to the verse. This category remained constant over the last 2 quarters of the year, accounting for 22% of all songs.

Last, and certainly least, is the 30%+ category, which after remaining stable at 8% during Q2 and Q3 dropped down to nil at the conclusion of the year. It’s a non-factor, and with good reason!

Songs With A Pre-Chorus Shows the percentage of total songs that contain a pre-chorus in their framework

18 / 29 Hit Songs Deconstructed Deconstructing Today's Hits for Songwriting Success http://reports.hitsongsdeconstructed.com

After peaking at 61% during the third quarter, the number of songs that utilize a pre-chorus within their framework saw a moderate decline during Q4, reverting back to where it all began at the beginning of the year by accounting for 52% of all songs.

It remains as the “optional” section to include in one’s song.

Songs With A Bridge Shows the percentage of total songs that contain a bridge in their framework

19 / 29 Hit Songs Deconstructed Deconstructing Today's Hits for Songwriting Success http://reports.hitsongsdeconstructed.com

The percentage of songs that feature a bridge within their framework hit their lowest level in over 2 years during Q4, accounting for 70% of all songs. Despite the decline, however, it goes without saying that the vast majority of chart-topping Pop hits still utilize a bridge.

Songs With A Solo Shows the percentage of total songs that contain a solo in their framework

20 / 29 Hit Songs Deconstructed Deconstructing Today's Hits for Songwriting Success http://reports.hitsongsdeconstructed.com

Over the past year, only 1 song, (The A Team), featured a “proper” solo (e.g. guitar) within its framework. Obviously solos are still not the “in” thing within the mainstream Pop scene!

Songs That Feature A Prominent Instrumental Break Shows the percentage of total songs that contain a prominent instrumental break within their framework

21 / 29 Hit Songs Deconstructed Deconstructing Today's Hits for Songwriting Success http://reports.hitsongsdeconstructed.com

In contrast to the solo category, the percentage of songs that feature a prominent instrumental break within the mix steadily increased over the past couple of quarters, accounting for 42% of all songs by year’s end.

Note that each sub-genre category had songs containing an instrumental break EXCEPT for R&B/Soul and Rock.

Songs Following An A-B-A-B-C-B Form (Verse-Chorus-Verse-Chorus-Bridge-Chorus) Shows the percentage of total songs that follow an A-B-A-B-C-B form

22 / 29 Hit Songs Deconstructed Deconstructing Today's Hits for Songwriting Success http://reports.hitsongsdeconstructed.com

The percentage of songs that follow a straight-up A-B-A-B-C-B form have been in decline over the past couple of quarters, and by the end of the year hit their lowest level in 4 years, accounting for just 35% of songs.

Despite the decline in number, the form is still the most popular when it comes to chart-topping Pop hits.

Primary Instrumentation Shows the percentage of total songs that feature a particular instrument in a prominent manner within the mix

23 / 29 Hit Songs Deconstructed Deconstructing Today's Hits for Songwriting Success http://reports.hitsongsdeconstructed.com