A First Look at HSD’s 2024 Year-In-Review Report
Hit Songs Deconstructed releases an end-of-year report that features detailed analysis of Billboard Hot 100’s top 10 hits.
This report looks at trends relating to genres, influences, tempo, key, lyrical themes, instruments, structure and more, helping you to proactively stay in tune with what’s on the rise, what’s in decline, and how the hit song landscape is rapidly evolving.
Overview
During 2024, 73 songs charted in the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100, 16 of which reached the coveted top spot.
Behind them were 51 performing artists, 206 credited songwriters, 122 credited producers, and 13 record labels.
Shaping their sound and vibe were six primary genres, 31 sub-genres and influences, 24 prominent instruments, and seven lyrical themes.
Folk Micro Trend
While still highly atypical, the inclusion of a traditional folk influence in Hot 100 top 10 hits rose to 7% of songs in 2024, the highest it’s been since way back in 2013 when songs like “Ho Hey,” “Story Of My Life,” and “Wake Me Up” were dominating the charts. Notable representatives in 2024 include the #1s “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” and “Texas Hold ‘Em.” Inward Looking Hits
Introspection-themed lyrics rose to their highest level in over a decade at one-third of songs. Interestingly, all of the #1 hits that touch on the theme stem from the country genre.
Longer Running Songs
The average length of Hot 100 top 10 hits in 2024 rose by 22 seconds over 2023 to 3:40, the longest it’s been since 2017. Driving this was the rise of the 4:00+ range, which was most common for the first time in over a decade at 29% of songs. A little over half were hip hop/rap hits, including five of Kendrick Lamar’s. Taylor Swift accounted for five as well.
What else shaped the Hot 100 top 10 in 2024?
Download the Report Preview with free highlights from The State of the Hot 100 Top 10: 2024 Year-In-ReviewReport.
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Dr. OProducer, Young M.A., Chris Brown, Lil Wayne
“I’ve found an invaluable ally in Hit Song Deconstructed. It’s more than just a resource; it’s a window into the mechanics of what makes a song resonate with audiences today.”
Sandy ChenSongwriter, Warner Chappell Music
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Eric HurtVP, A&R Publishing / Nashville at EMPIRE
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Roy StrideHit Songwriter, Producer, Artist, One Direction, 5 Seconds of Summer, Scouting for Girls
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Prince Charles AlexanderGrammy winning, multi-platinum music producer, mixing engineer and professor at Berklee College of Music
“Hit Songs Deconstructed will equip you with tools that will allow you to make hit songs more consistently.”
Lyburn GeldenhuisA&R/Producer/Songwriter/Mixing Engineer
“ASCAP aims to provide members with a multifaceted toolchest to augment their craft and their careers. Hit Songs Deconstructed is a cutting-edge service that can support our members’ creative process with in-depth data and analysis of current songwriting techniques.”
Nick LehmanChief Strategy & Digital Officer, ASCAP
“Hit Songs Deconstructed has really pushed my music to a competitive level. The instructors are at the top of their game, detailed, and cover absolutely everything that’s happening in current, charting successful music.”
JULAPINKPop Recording Artist
“The way songs are broken down is extremely useful in really solidifying your understanding of what’s happening in the most popular music, and how you can incorporate it in your own.”
Omar ZulfiMusic Artist/Producer, Deviant Noise
“Well done HSD for providing the songwriting community with invaluable information and analysis.”
Carl CorcoranSongwriter/Broadcaster/Industry Consultant/Director of MA Songwriting Irish World Academy University of Limerick, Board Member Music Network Ireland
“As a songwriter, an important part of my job is to analyze what works in successful songs. By identifying the tools that were employed in hits, writers can incorporate them into their own songs–using techniques that have proven successful–while putting their own spin and unique creative angle on them. HSD does the research for me.”
Jason BlumeSongwriter w/50 million album sales
“I have never seen hit songs broken down in such an accurate and detailed way.”
Jerome BaylorSongwriter, Composer, Lyricist, Topline Writer, Beat Producer
“Whether you want to work with the current trends or against them, HSD is a powerful tool in music production strategy.”
Dean NelsonDirector of Music Production, Ontario Institute of Audio Recording Technology
“HSD provides a great platform for breaking down various aspects of the creative process in the making of a hit song. Powerful tool for learning hit songwriting, production techniques and trends.”
Rod ButlerSongwriter/Producer
“I can’t stress enough how important HSD is to any serious professional hit songwriter.”
Hilton Wright IIRecord Producer/Songwriter, Billboard #1 RIAA Platinum & Gold winning songwriter & producer, (Drake, Mike Posner, black•𝘪𝘴𝘩)
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Reanne HowellSongwriter
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Andre JarreauSongwriter
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George HaughtonEducator/Songwriter
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Tyson HardingSongwriter/Guitarist for Skyfever
“Hit Songs Deconstructed is a great go-to if you’re interested in what makes today’s pop songs tick. Founders Dave Penn and Yael Penn, experts in music and marketing, break down today’s most popular songs and musical trends.”
John BrhelThe Muse’s News
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Ott LuckSongwriter
“You have given songwriters a great new tool, the beauty of which is that it reflects current trends.”
John BraheneyAuthor of The Craft and Business of Songwriting
I highly recommend “Hit Songs Deconstructed”. It is an insightful and detailed description of the craft of writing hit music for today’s music markets. I read it every month to keep sharp, and ahead of the curve.
David TrotterCo-Founder, Creative Director, and Producer, Studio 51 Music
“It opened my mind to a more structured approach to the melody writing part of my own songs. The analysis are deep and logical. Everything in this is very helpful.”
Paolo NanniSongwriter/Producer
“Hit Songs Deconstructed is an essential tool needed in the toolbox of any artist or producer.”
Reginald Wiseman, Sr.Singer/Songwriter, CEO D R Wiseman Enterprises LLC
“For those of you concerned about producing and writing hits songs while staying current, this masterclass is for you. Wonderful insight into what makes these current hit songs appeal so well to the artists audience.”
Atom TroyProfessor/Artist
“Insight like no other into vocal melodic patterns of pop hit songs.”
Pablo ArangoSongwriter
“I’m going on 40 years of working with top-level artists and you have made me understand even better all the things I’ve learned over the years working with them.
Thanks much for all you do.”
Khaliq GloverGrammy Award Winning Recording Engineer (We Are the World, Justin Timberlake, Christina Aguilera),
“Hit Songs Deconstructed has really pushed my music to a competitive level.”
JULAPINKPop Recording Artist
“Hit Songs Deconstructed reveals so much detail about things you might never have noticed before in hit songs, but are right in front of you. They go beyond identifying what works and explain WHY it works.”
Jem AswadExecutive Editor, Music at Variety
Used By:
“
I find the site VERY valuable. I’m a fan.
Eric Hurt
VP, A&R Publishing / Nashville at EMPIRE
“
Spot on with the analysis and relevant to any music theory, composer, songwriter, or producer in the game now.
– Dr. O
Producer, Young M.A., Chris Brown, Lil Wayne
“
“Even though I’ve been writing professionally for over ten years, I’ve found several nuggets of gold that have improved my writing already.”
Roy Stride
Hit Songwriter, Producer, Artist
One Direction, 5 Seconds of Summer, Scouting for Girls
“
My entire thought process as a producer, an engineer, a musician, and a songwriter are fleshed out in the pages of the HSD reports.
Prince Charles Alexander
Grammy winning, multi-platinum music producer, mixing engineerand professor at Berklee College of Music
“
Some producers have a hit or two by sheer fluke/talent and the subconscious knowledge of a lifetime of growing up with music. However, making hits songs consistently is not just about talent and the occasional fluke. There is a science to the art of making hit music.
Hit Songs Deconstructed will equip you with tools that will allow you to make hit songs more consistently.
Lyburn Geldenhuis
A&R/Producer/Songwriter/Mixing Engineer
“
ASCAP aims to provide members with a multifaceted toolchest to augment their craft and their careers. Hit Songs Deconstructed is a cutting-edge service that can support our members’ creative process with in-depth data and analysis of current songwriting techniques.
Nick Lehman
ASCAP Chief Strategy & Digital Officer