“Below are a few new findings from the Q3-2011 report:

-Top 10 hit Pop songs that feature a synth as the primary instrument saw a substantial drop in number from the previous quarter, decreasing from 79% to 59% of songs.

-While vocal gender evened out a bit during Q2, Q3 saw the gap widen once again with male lead vocals now comprising the majority of top 10 Pop hits.

-Love/Relationship themed songs finally staged a comeback in Q3 after seeing a steady decline in number during the last four quarters.

-First choruses are occurring on average 0:31 into top 10 hit Pop songs. Interestingly, four out of the five Hip Hop/Rap influenced Pop songs kicked off with the chorus as opposed to the verse.

-The most popular form (A-B-A-B-C-B: Verse/Chorus/Verse/Chorus/Bridge/Chorus) continues on its steady decline since the beginning of the year.”

- via Hit Songs Deconstructed Releases Its Latest Trend Report: Hit Songwriting Trends In Pop: Q3-2011

(Source: mi2n.com)