Anatomy of a Hit™
Cat Cohen's Hit Song Analysis -
Cat analyses the top hits of each year dating back to 1999, reviewing the hits and delves into their anatomy to explain how they are structured and why they are today's hits (and may continue to be hits well into the future).
2017
Ed Sheeran—Castle On The Hill
Bruno Mars—Versace On The Floor
2016
Justin Timberlake—Can't Stop The Feeling
The Chainsmokers feat. Halsey—Closer
2015
The Weeknd—Can't Feel Your Face
2014
Meghan Trainor—All About That Bass
One Direction—Story Of My Life
2013
Robin Thicke feat. Pharrell Williams—Blurred Lines
Pink feat. Nate Ruess—Just Give Me A Reason
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis feat. Mary Lambert—Same Love
Bruno Mars—When I Was Your Man
2012
Mumford & Sons—I Will Wait
Kacey Musgraves—Merry Go 'Round
Frank Ocean—Thinkin Bout You
fun. featuring Janelle Monae—We Are Young
2011
Maroon V/Christina Aguilera—Moves like Jagger
2010
Katy Perry/Snoop Dogg—California Gurls
Eminem/Rihanna—Love The Way You Lie
Lady Antebellum—Need You Now
Melissa Lambert—The House That Built Me
2009
Carrie Underwood—Cowboy Casanova
Beyoncé—Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)
Michael Jackson—This Is It
A release from the late Michael Jackson archives shows how his writing and singing are still relevant some twenty-five years after this was originally recorded.
Read Why the song
This Is It
is a hit →
2008
Leona Lewis—Bleeding Love
Katy Perry—I Kissed A Girl
2007
Plain White T's—Hey There Delilah
2006
Mary J Blige—Be Without You
Nelly Furtado With Timbaland—Promiscuous
Rascal Flatts—What Hurts The Most
James Blunt—You're Beautiful
2005
Green Day—Boulevard of Broken Dreams
Kelly Clarkson—Since U Been Gone
Kelly Clarkson sings young adult angst the way it needs to be expressed, honestly and with just enough edgy attitude that we really feel the chip on her shoulder, all her hurt and disappointment.
Read Why the song
Since U Been Gone
is a hit →
Mariah Carey—We Belong Together
2004
Gretchen Wilson—Redneck Woman
2003
Toby Keith—I Love This Bar
2002
Avril Lavigne—Complicated
Norah Jones—Don't Know Why
Alan Jackson—Where Were You (When The World Stopped Turning)
2001
Train—Drops Of Jupiter (Tell Me)
Pink—Get The Party Started
2000
Destiny's Child—Say My Name
Santana (featuring Rob Thomas)—Smooth
1999
Ricky Martin—Living La Vida Loca