What Do All Hit Songs Have In Common?

Question by DJ:

Is there some kind of a "recipe" for writing a hit song?


Answer from Eszter (HitJerker-Songwriting.com)

Hi DJ,

There isn't a "recipe" for writing a hit song. If there was one, everybody would be writing hit songs.

However, there are characteristics that most current hits share. And the more of these you include in your songs, the more likely you are to write a potential hit song.

Some features of most songs currently on the charts:

• Average length of intro: about 5-15 seconds
• Tempo: between 90-130 bpm
• Length: 3.5-4 minutes
• Subject: love
• Structure: Verse 1 - Pre-Chorus - Chorus - Verse 2 - Pre-Chorus - Chorus - Bridge - Chorus
• Singer: male

Of course, to write a hit song, you don't have to stick to these. And if you do, it doesn't guarantee success. This is just to give you a basic idea of what hit songs have in common these days.