A First Look at HSD’s 2024 Mid-Year Report
Hit Songs Deconstructed releases an annual mid-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 the first half of 2024, 55 songs charted in the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100, 13 of which reached the coveted top spot.
Behind them were 39 performing artists, 134 credited songwriters, 96 credited producers, and 13 record labels.
Shaping their sound and vibe were six primary genres, 26 sub-genres and influences, 24 prominent instruments, and eight lyrical themes.
Genre Trends
Hip hop/rap was the most popular primary genre in the first half of 2024, accounting for 33% of songs. However, pop was right on its heels at 31%. Country rounded out the top 3 at a distant 16%.
Country’s presence in the top 10 is holding strong after the genre’s number of hits nearly quadrupled last year. In 2024, several artists outside of the traditional country space released crossover hits in the genre, including Post Malone (“I Had Some Help”) and Beyoncé (“Jolene”).
Instruments
Electronic instrumentation, including synths, synth bass, and electronic drums have generally been trending downward over the past five years. Conversely, some acoustic-based instrumentation, particularly acoustic drums, rose in popularity in 2024.
What else shaped the Hot 100 top 10 during the first half of 2024?
Download the Report Preview with free highlights from The State of the Hot 100 Top 10: 2024 Mid-Year Report.
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One Direction, 5 Seconds of Summer, Scouting for Girls
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Grammy winning, multi-platinum music producer, mixing engineer
and professor at Berklee College of Music
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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.
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