“As a teacher AND a songwriter, an important part of my job is to analyze what works in successful songs. HSD does the research for me. It’s an amazing tool–and one I highly recommend to my students and collaborators throughout the world.
Songwriter w/50 million album sales | Top-selling author, Billboard Books
“I am honestly blown away by the amount of information you provide on each of these songs, practically like a thesis deserving of a degree. From a songwriting standpoint, so much of this information is so helpful, and the time-saving benefits are enormous.”
Grammy winning producer/songwriter/recording artist Carlos Santana, Ricky Martin, Ozomatli, Boyz II Men, Selena
“ASCAP aims to provide members with a multifaceted toolchest to augment their craft and their careers. Hit Songs Deconstructed is a cutting-edge service that can support our members’ creative process with in-depth data and analysis of current songwriting techniques.”
ASCAP Chief Strategy & Digital Officer
“My entire thought process as a producer, an engineer, a musician, and a songwriter are fleshed out in the pages of the HSD reports.”
Grammy winning, multi-platinum music producer, mixing engineer and professor at Berklee College of Music
“Very thorough, fun and insightful. Kind of a moneyball for songwriting, which is an interesting and original way of analyzing the creative process. As a pro I recommend this workshop to songwriters of any level.”
Grammy nominated songwriter and artist
“For those of you concerned about producing and writing hits songs while staying current, this masterclass is for you. Wonderful insight into what makes these current hit songs appeal so well to the artists audience.”
Professor/Artist
“Even though I’ve been writing professionally for over ten years, I’ve found several nuggets of gold that have improved my writing already.”
Hit Songwriter, Producer, Artist One Direction, 5 Seconds of Summer, Scouting for Girls
“It’s amazing ! The depth of your analysis, the techniques you covered, the practical tools you provided us with, and the level of professionalism of each masterclass. I’m really honored and profoundly grateful for all I learned from you.”
Healer Composer, Tony Allen, Oxmo Puccino, Damon Albarn, Ghetto Blaster
“Hit Songs Deconstructed does the research that 99.9% of songwriters would not even think of doing. What I learn from these workshops and the Hit Songs Deconstructed website in one month would take me years to figure out on my own, and by then, it wouldn’t even apply to the current music scene. These are not just songwriting tips and tricks; these workshops are a masterclass in hit songwriting, as is the website. If you’re truly serious about being a professional in this business, Hit Songs Deconstructed will put you on that path.”
Educator/Songwriter
“What a class! Even as an avid student (and teacher) of theory and musical analysis, I had never seen the granular and global view to a song that Hit Songs Deconstructed presents. Highly recommended!!!”
Singer/songwriter, music instructor
“The amount of in-depth analysis is staggering. It’s really opened my eyes to the tricks and techniques needed to craft current hits.”
“This was one of the most thorough, well-presented and thought out master classes on pop writing I have ever experienced. ”
Grammy nominated musician, film composer, producer and arranger, Prince, Elvis Costello, Miley Cyrus, Celia Cruz, Tito Puente, Akon, Wu Tang Clan, DJ Premiere, Guru
“Amazing workshop. Spot on with the analysis and relevant to any music theory, composer, songwriter, or producer in the game now. Bravo!”
Producer, Young M.A., Chris Brown, Lil Wayne
- Compositional Profiles for All Hot 100 Top 10 Songs
- Bi-Monthly Hit Song Technique Analysis
- Hit Song Techniques Library
- Hit Song Search with 200+ Compositional Filters
- the Immersion Platform Featuring Real-time Compositional Trend Analytics
- Artist, Writer, Producer and Label Database
- Benchmark Tool
- Hit Song Deconstructed Report Library
- Quarterly 100+ Page Compositional and Industry Trend Reports
- Quarterly Downloadable Logic Projects
ESSENTIALS
$19/month or $179/year
- Compositional Profiles for All Songs
- Bi-Monthly Hit Song Technique Analysis
- Hit Song Techniques Library
- Hit Song Search with 200+ Compositional Filters
- Year-End Trend Report
Complimentary admission and priority registration to our acclaimed twice-yearly three-month/six-segment online masterclass, Inside the Hit Song Matrix: Where Science and Creativity Intersect.
During this live, hands-on masterclass, you will take one of your original songs and, using proprietary Hit Songs Deconstructed materials, apply the techniques you learn during each class to optimize your song’s impact and channel your creativity into songs that can compete in today’s hit song landscape.
The cost to attend each masterclass without a Premier subscription is $549. As a Premier subscriber you receive complimentary access to both the spring and fall masterclasses, a combined value of $1,098.
- Compositional Profiles for All Hot 100 Top 10 Songs
- Bi-Monthly Hit Song Technique Analysis
- Hit Song Techniques Library
- Hit Song Search with 200+ Compositional Filters
- the Immersion Platform Featuring Real-time Compositional Trend Analytics
- Artist, Writer, Producer and Label Database
- Benchmark Tool
- Hit Song Deconstructed Report Library
- Quarterly 100+ Page Compositional and Industry Trend Reports
- Quarterly Downloadable Logic Projects
ESSENTIALS
$19/month or $179/year
- Compositional Profiles for All Songs
- Bi-Monthly Hit Song Technique Analysis
- Hit Song Techniques Library
- Hit Song Search with 200+ Compositional Filters
- Year-End Trend Report
- Complimentary admission to four single-day online songwriting/production workshops of your choice ($129 each, a combined value of $516)
- On demand access to the video recording of the workshops you sign up for.
Complimentary admission to ALL single-day online songwriting/production workshops.
Complimentary admission and priority registration to our acclaimed twice-yearly three-month/six-segment online masterclass, Inside the Hit Song Matrix: Where Science and Creativity Intersect.
During this live, hands-on masterclass, you will take one of your original songs and, using proprietary Hit Songs Deconstructed materials, apply the techniques you learn during each class to optimize your song’s impact and channel your creativity into songs that can compete in today’s hit song landscape. The cost to attend each of these masterclasses without a Premier subscription is $549.
PRO
$729/year
- Compositional Profiles for All Songs
- Bi-Monthly Hit Song Technique Analysis
- Hit Song Techniques Library
- Hit Song Search with 200+ Compositional Filters
- Immersion: Real-time Compositional Analytics
- Artist, Writer, Producer and Label Database
- Benchmark Tool
- Hit Song Deconstructed Report Library
- Quarterly Downloadable Logic Projects
ESSENTIALS
$19/month or $179/year
- Compositional Profiles for All Songs
- Bi-Monthly Hit Song Technique Analysis
- Hit Song Techniques Library
- Hit Song Search with 200+ Compositional Filters
- Year-End Trend Report
PREMIERE
$949/year
Everything you get with a PRO subscription plus:
- Inside the Hit Song Matrix
(12-Week Masterclass - value of $549)
- Access to all live online workshops
- Access to videos of past workshops
(12-Week Masterclass - value of $549)
ESSENTIALS PLUS
$29/month or $299/year
$29/month or $299/year
- Everything you get with ESSENTIALS
- Quarterly Hit Song Deconstructed Reports
- Hit Song Deconstructed Report Library
- Quarterly Downloadable Logic Projects
- Live walkthrough's of HSD Report segment 2X month with Q&A
Workshops
Inside the Hit Song Matrix
This hands-on masterclass will pull back the curtain on the patterns behind today’s hits.
3 Months, 6 Classes
Begins March 14th
$549.99
Optimizing Your Song For Commercial Success
This workshop is designed to help you learn how to combine your unique creativity with proven techniques to prime your songs for commercial success.
Optimizing Your Song
For Commercial Success
$79.99
The State of the Hot 100 Top 10
This 100+ page super easy-to-digest report will get you in tune with how today’s most successful songs, and the players behind them, are evolving.
Hit Song Deconstructed Reports
Take a deep dive into the songwriting and production techniques used to craft some of today’s biggest hits.
Hit Song Deconstructed Reports
Take a deep dive into the songwriting and production techniques used to craft some of today’s biggest hits.
| PRO | PREMIERE | |
|---|---|---|
| Hit Song Deconstructed Reports | Yes | Yes |
| Hit Song Deconstructed Videos | Yes | Yes |
| Songwriting Techniques Archive | Yes | Yes |
| Song Searches | Yes | Yes |
| Compositional Trends | Yes | Yes |
| Industry Trends | Yes | Yes |
| Downloadable Logic Arrangements for Today’s Hits | Yes | Yes |
| Trend Reports | Yes | Yes |
| Video Trend Briefs | No | Yes |
| Inside the Hit Song Matrix (value of $549) | No | Yes |
| On Demand Access to Workshops | No | Yes |
| $524.99/year | $949.99/year |
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Free Trial
- $ 0
- Two-week access to Hit Songs Deconstructed PRO.
Learn more
ESSENTIALS
- $ 249.99 /year
- Hit Song Deconstructed Reports (Essentials)
- Quarterly Genres Highlights
- IMMERSION Searchable Database
- HSD Wire
- Hit Song Deconstructed Reports (Essentials)
PRO
- $ 524.99 /year
- Everything the Essentials Plan
offers plus: - Hit Song Deconstructed Reports (PRO)
- Quarterly Trend Report
- ADDITIONAL IMMERSION SEARCHES: Compositional Trend Search
Industry Trend Search
Ability to Save Searches - Access to the Hit Songs Deconstructed Archive
- Everything the Essentials Plan
PREMIERE
- $ 949.00 /year
- Everything the PRO Plan
offers plus: - Complimentary access to Hit Songs Deconstructed Virtual Workshops(value of $299 per workshop).
- Everything the PRO Plan
PREMIERE
- $ 949.00 /year
- Everything the PRO Plan
offers plus: - Complimentary access to Hit Songs Deconstructed Virtual Workshops(value of $299 per workshop).
- Everything the PRO Plan
PREMIERE
- $ 949.00 /year
- Everything the PRO Plan
offers plus: - Complimentary access to Hit Songs Deconstructed Virtual Workshops(value of $299 per workshop).
- Everything the PRO Plan
| Individual Purchase Price | Essentials | Apprentice | Pro | Premiere | Platinum | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compositional Profiles for All Songs (Click for Sample Profile) | N/A | x | x | x | x | x |
| Bi-Monthly Hit Song Technique Analysis (Click for Sample Technique Analysis) | N/A | x | x | x | x | x |
| Hit Song Techniques Library | N/A | x | x | x | x | x |
| Power Search with 200+ Compositional Filters | N/A | x | x | x | x | x |
| Year-End Trend Report (Click for Sample Report) | $99 Each | x | x | x | x | x |
| Quarterly Hit Song Deconstructed Reports (Click for Sample Report) | $99 Each | x | x | x | x | |
| Hit Song Deconstructed Report Library | N/A | x | x | x | x | |
| Quarterly Downloadable Logic Projects (Click for Sample Project) | $79 | x | x | x | x | |
| Logic Project Library | N/A | x | x | x | ||
| Quarterly Trend Reports | $249 Package | x | x | x | ||
| Artist, Writer, Producer and Label Database | N/A | x | x | x | ||
| Benchmark Tool | N/A | x | x | x | ||
| Live walkthrough’s of each Hit Song Deconstructed Report segment with Q&A twice a month | N/A | x | x | x | x | |
| Immersion: Real-time Compositional Analytics | N/A | x | x | |||
| Inside the Hit Song Matrix | $549 | x | x | |||
| Access to all live online workshops | Prices Vary | x | x | |||
| Access to videos of past workshops | $279 | x | x | |||
| Office hours with David Penn Twice a Month | N/A | x | x | x | x | |
| Monthly one-hour private coaching sessions with David Penn | x | |||||
| $19/month | $29/month | $49/month | ||||
| $179/year | $299/year | $524/year | $1,250/year | $2,500 |
|
Features |
Basic | Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Sample text | ||
| Sample text |
“Amazing workshop. Spot on with the analysis and relevant to any music theory, composer, songwriter, or producer in the game now. Bravo!”
Producer, Young M.A., Chris Brown, Lil Wayne
“This was one of the most thorough, well-presented and thought out master classes on pop writing I have ever experienced. ”
Grammy nominated musician, film composer, producer and arranger, Prince, Elvis Costello, Miley Cyrus, Celia Cruz, Tito Puente, Akon, Wu Tang Clan, DJ Premiere, Guru
“It’s amazing ! The depth of your analysis, the techniques you covered, the practical tools you provided us with, and the level of professionalism of each masterclass. I’m really honored and profoundly grateful for all I learned from you.”
Healer Composer, Tony Allen, Oxmo Puccino, Damon Albarn, Ghetto Blaster
“Even though I’ve been writing professionally for over ten years, I’ve found several nuggets of gold that have improved my writing already.”
Hit Songwriter, Producer, Artist One Direction, 5 Seconds of Summer, Scouting for Girls
“Very thorough, fun and insightful. Kind of a moneyball for songwriting, which is an interesting and original way of analyzing the creative process. As a pro I recommend this workshop to songwriters of any level.”
Grammy nominated songwriter and artist
“My entire thought process as a producer, an engineer, a musician, and a songwriter are fleshed out in the pages of the HSD reports.”
Grammy winning, multi-platinum music producer, mixing engineer and professor at Berklee College of Music
“ASCAP aims to provide members with a multifaceted toolchest to augment their craft and their careers. Hit Songs Deconstructed is a cutting-edge service that can support our members’ creative process with in-depth data and analysis of current songwriting techniques.”
ASCAP Chief Strategy & Digital Officer
“I am honestly blown away by the amount of information you provide on each of these songs, practically like a thesis deserving of a degree. From a songwriting standpoint, so much of this information is so helpful, and the time-saving benefits are enormous.”
Grammy winning producer/songwriter/recording artist Carlos Santana, Ricky Martin, Ozomatli, Boyz II Men, Selena
“As a songwriter, an important part of my job is to analyze what works in successful songs. By identifying the tools that were employed in hits, writers can incorporate them into their own songs–using techniques that have proven successful–while putting their own spin and unique creative angle on them. HSD does the research for me.”
Songwriter w/50 million album sales and top-selling author, Billboard Books
“I am using HSD’s analysis techniques as a benchmark for my students to apply when analyzing songs, their compositional analytics to keep them in tune with what’s happening now, and the quarterly trend reports to keep them up to speed with who the key industry players are.”
Founding Director, Popular Music Program, Professor of Songwriting, USC Thornton School of Music
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Hit Songs Deconstructed In the News
Our mission is to provide you with tools to help you give you an edge for success in today's rapidly evolving musical landscape.
Go beyond a listen, go beyond a deconstruction
- immerse yourself in the hits.
Songwriters, composers, engineers, and producers are utilizing Hit Songs Deconstructed to:
- Hone their craft by studying proven current hits.
- Continually update their toolbox with the latest writing and production techniques being used in today’s hits as they become available.
- Understand WHY today’s hits connect with such a wide audience.
- Gain insight into how to successfully channel unique creativity into commercially viable songs.
- Develop an instinctual approach to writing songs for mainstream success.
- Make more targeted pitches to music libraries and production houses who are looking for current sounding music and/or sound-alike’s for spots.
- Give themselves an edge in a very competitive music industry.
Music industry professionals, such as publishers, labels, music libraries, production houses are using Hit Songs Deconstructed to:
- Make informed decisions in a fast-paced musical landscape.
- Stay ahead of the curve by spotting current, evolving, and waning trends.
- Supplement sales, streaming, engagement, and radio airplay data with insight into the compositional trends behind those numbers.
- Gain insight into what current hit songs have in common – and what is setting them apart.
- Identify the key ingredients that are making current chart-topping songs “tick.”
- Improve communication between creative executives / A&R’s and writers.
- Quantify gut feelings for hit songwriting trends with factual data.
- Benchmark new songs and artists against those with a proven track record.