How to Write Next Year’s Hits

At a recent online workshop, I addressed some of the most common mistakes songwriters make. Let's look at one of the pitfalls I most often encounter.

When I critique songs, I always ask the writers' intentions or hopes for their songs before I assess them, so I can determine if they are hitting their intended target. In many cases the writer is aiming for a genre that bears little resemblance to the song they have written. I find myself wondering whether these writers listen to anything other than the songs played on oldies stations.

I've heard it said that the songs that come naturally for most people are those that are similar to the ones they listened to in high school. This might work if you are currently a high school student, but for many of us, high school is a distant memory.

If I were to write songs akin to those I heard in high school, I'd be writing pop songs that emulated artists such as Barry Manilow, Diana Ross, Alice Cooper, and Bread. Similarly, my country songs might sound at home on playlists with Loretta Lynn, Merle Haggard, George Jones, and Conway Twitty. These artists-and the songs they recorded-are iconic, but they have been relegated to oldies stations and would sound out of place on playlists with today's hitmakers.

Musical styles are constantly evolving, and it is up to us to create and introduce the next big thing. Below are suggestions to help you use techniques that proved successful in today's hits to write those that might top next year's charts. Listen to-and study-the songs that are current hits in the styles you hope to have success with. Examine the lyrics of these songs and identify the tools the writers incorporated. For example, does the lyric "show" (using imagery and action) or "tell," (stating how the singer feels)? Do the lyrics express a new angle-a new approach-to a topic that is widely relatable? Have the writers incorporated lines that are fresh and original-lines that no other writer would be likely to write? What kind of title did the hit use? (Is it one word? Clever? Unique? Heartfelt?) Is the title supported by the verse lyrics? Do the lines sound conversational or poetic? Are the lyrics easy to understand-or are they vague, abstract, and open to interpretation?

Now, put the music under the microscope. Was each section of the song differentiated from the others? Did you have no doubt when the chorus began-and if so, how did the writer(s) achieve that? Did the chorus include higher notes? Did it introduce new rhythms in the vocal melody? Are the chord changes predictable-or are there any "wow" chords that elevate the melody? Examine the rhythms and intervals in the vocal melodies. Are the rhythms in the vocal melody hooky and fresh?

Analyze the song's structure and form. Is there a pre-chorus? A post-chorus? How many musical bars are in each section? Is there an instrumental section? A bridge? Where is the title found? How many times is the title included in the song? How long is the intro? Are there additional elements that add to the appeal-"bonus hooks?" For example, catchy nonsense syllables that are sung? Is there an instantly recognizable signature lick?

2024 saw the emergence of new hitmakers including Shaboozey, Ella Langley (with Riley Green), Teddy Swims, and Sabrina Carpenter, who carved out their respective niches with sounds and songs that pushed the creative envelope. Next year's breakthrough artists and songs will almost certainly incorporate elements that sound fresh and new, while still sounding at home beside recent hits.

Our best chances of success will not come from reinventing the wheel-but by innovating, refining, and improving it. This might be achieved by creating a hybrid of different styles, incorporating a retro feel, using instrumentation not typically heard in the genre you are writing, or by writing melodies and lyrics that jump out of the pack and demand to be recognized as exceptional, novel, and groundbreaking.

Rehashing songs and sounds that have previously been successful is unlikely to bring success. Let today's hits be your template to write the kinds of songs that have found recent success then add your own special sauce-flavors that go beyond the predictable and expected-to write next year's hits.

Jason Blume is the author of 6 Steps to Songwriting Success, This Business of Songwriting, and Inside Songwriting (Billboard Books). His book Happy Tails-Life Lessons from Rescued Cats and Kittens (SPS/Blue Mountain Arts) combines his love of photography and cats. Jason's songs are on Grammy-nominated albums selling more than 50,000,000 copies, and in hit TV shows and films. A guest lecturer at the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (co-founded by Sir Paul McCartney) and at the Berklee School of Music, he has been interviewed as a songwriting expert for CNN, NPR, the BBC, Rolling Stone, and the New York Times. To receive a free video, "3 Things You MUST Do for Success," song pitches, and weekly tips to enhance creativity, click on https://tinyurl.com/yckat6fc. Join Songwriting With Jason Blume on Facebook for daily tips, free events and song critiques. For information about workshops, recorded lessons, webinars, and more than 135 additional articles visit www.jasonblume.com.