If you take a close look at all of the songs that are currently in the top 20 Billboard list, there is one thing that each of those songs will have in common: simplicity. People tend to think that you have to come up with some elaborate idea or ingenious method of how to make a song a hit, when all you need to do is speak from your heart and learn to drive the emotion of the song with your choice of chords, phrasing, rhythm, and melodies. You can write a hit song, anyone can... Do you remember “Laffy Taffy” by D4L? I rest my case. It really doesn't take much.

Choice of Chords

I usually start all of my songs by playing a few chords at the piano. Once I come up with a progression that I think sounds cool, I'll work on the rhythmic phrasing of those chords. Usually, major chords are associated with happier themed songs, and your minor chords and keys are associated with sad, darker, or dissonant emotions, so that bit of info might be a good starting point for your songwriting.

Decide which key you want to write your song in, pick your chords and create a progression within that key, and work on the rhythmic phrasing, meaning don't necessarily hold each chord for four beats per bar (although you can, drive the song with the drums and melody if you like).

Create a Good Rhythm

Your drums and percussion arrangement will be the driving force of your song, so be careful here as to the drum sounds that you choose, and make sure that they match well with your choice of chords, and the overall direction that you want to take your song in. 808 rhythms are almost a guaranteed hit when creating urban music, and the acoustic drum kit works well with rock music. Also, focus on the tempo of your tracks here as well, as your upbeat 100-140 bpm will typically provide energetic, riveting music, and those tempos below 100 bpm are for moderate, easy going laid back styles.

Creating the Melody

Your melody needs to have two things incorporated when you are looking to create one to be remembered: the melody should be derived from your chord choices and within the key of your song, and the melody should also be simple enough to be remembered and sang along to. Simple hooks and melodic phrases sell songs. I can't even remember all of the songs that have a dope beat, a tight melody, but forgettable verses, but they all become a hit!

Much like Soulja Boy's “Crank That”. Nobody remembers the verses to that song, at least I don't, but the hook and melody was stupid simple to remember and catchy, and he has sold 14 million copies of that single to date, not to mention the ringtones. Keep these key points in ming when writing your song as well.

A tight chordal arrangement/progression, a smooth melody to match, and some drums to support it all are the only elements that you need to write your next hit song, once you have the instrumental down, the lyrics will come. Just speak from the heart with your lyrics, and talk about your life, and the things that you've experienced. Fans connect with artists who they can relate to on a personal level, so don't be afraid to share your story.

Keep it 100... Better Beats Ahead.