This is a very subjective question. What one person likes may not be what someone else likes. For instance, you may not like rock but like country, or vice versa. Really, the "style" of music is usually what is in debate on what is the "best". Still, its just a matter of opinion. However, all these different styles (pop, rock, hip-hop, r&b and country) have something in common. When you hear the Top 40 songs on the radio or tv, regardless of style, the songs have a "formula" to their song structure. Really, since the 80's the music industry has been pretty hell bent on using this formula, and after years of writing music as performing, I can now see why... IT WORKS. Songwriting is now a science in the music industry. And yes, there are various alterations of the "songwriting formula" which can be tweaked and still be construed as a "hit". Overall, if you use the core of the "songwriting formula" you will be able to write songs much easier, and more often since you will know how to make the song sound "good" right off the bat.
I will be naming some examples of hit songs that use this formula as a demonstration, however since they have a copyright, you will need to find the song on the net, YouTube is really good with archived music videos, go through Itunes, a brick and mortar music store or various other methods.
I just wanted to write this as a disclaimer as there is no true "one way" to write a hit song, however this method that we will be discussing is SO SIMPLE, that it can be VERY elusive to even the most seasoned musician; and is so effective that it is the backbone to nearly every "hit" song you hear on the radio. So please use this blog as just another pit stop of information which you can use to grow and enhance your music. Let's keep things positive and make some great music!
Click on the "Songwriting Formula" tab to see what it's all about!
