Dave and Yael Penn of Hit Songs Deconstructed breakdown how and why, based on the music, "Don't Let Me Down," "No" & "When Doves Cry" hit the Hot 100's top 10 in recent weeks.
Add a dash of dancehall. Sprinkle in equal parts male and female vocals. And, mash-up pop, dance and alternative, and you have the recipe for a hefty portion of top 10 Billboard Hot 100 hits in 2016.
On the latest episode of the Billboard Chart Beat Podcast, hosted by Billboard co-director of charts Gary Trust, Hit Songs Deconstructed creators Dave Penn and Yael Penn look at the songwriting and production trends and more that have defined some of this year's biggest songs, by, among others, Rihanna, Drake and Sia.
The Penns go further in-depth on three songs specifically: The Chainsmokers' "Don't Let Me Down," featuring Daya, Meghan Trainor's "No" and Prince's "When Doves Cry," all of which have hit the Hot 100's top 10 this year.