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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"Spot on with the analysis and relevant to any composer, songwriter, or producer in the game now.”
“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."
"I find the site VERY valuable. I’m a fan."
"Even though I’ve been writing professionally for over ten years, I’ve found several nuggets of gold that have improved my writing already."
"My entire thought process as a producer, an engineer, a musician, and a songwriter are fleshed out in the pages of the HSD reports."
"Hit Songs Deconstructed will equip you with tools that will allow you to make hit songs more consistently."
"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."
"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."
"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."
"Well done HSD for providing the songwriting community with invaluable information and analysis."
"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."
"I have never seen hit songs broken down in such an accurate and detailed way."
"Whether you want to work with the current trends or against them, HSD is a powerful tool in music production strategy."
"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."
"I can't stress enough how important HSD is to any serious professional hit songwriter."
"You combined elements I've tried to put together through hours of studies, videos, and books into something straightforward and easy to understand."
"Hit Songs Deconstructed is in a class of its own. Shedding in-depth analysis for those ready to consume it. From singer songwriter through production, to industry and market trends. No one does it like HSD."
"If you’re truly serious about being a professional in this business, Hit Songs Deconstructed will put you on that path."
"I want to thank you for Hit Songs Deconstructed. It has really helped with our writing and arranging. The leap we have taken has led our music to be play listed at the Yankees, Islanders and also MSG!"
"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."
"Seriously, I have never seen a site that might be more valuable to me, or the songwriters/musicians on this site. You show the skeleton of a tune, but you also show where the soul of a tune arrives. I have to say I was damned impressed."
“You have given songwriters a great new tool, the beauty of which is that it reflects current trends.”
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.
"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."
"Hit Songs Deconstructed is an essential tool needed in the toolbox of any artist or producer."
“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.”
“Insight like no other into vocal melodic patterns of pop hit songs.”
"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."
"Hit Songs Deconstructed has really pushed my music to a competitive level."
"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."
Used By:
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I find the site VERY valuable. I’m a fan.
Eric Hurt
VP, A&R Publishing / Nashville at EMPIRE
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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
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"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 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.
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