What are the methods used while writing pop music that make it so recognizably pop?

Question

I used to think that it's the four chord structure. But in reality many genres have four chord songs (e.g. Rock and Country) and pop isn't always limited to four chords (e.g. 2U). I used to think it's the trite romantic lyrics or the cliched sexual innuendo but I find that in many other genres as well (e.g.r&b and more recently, country). I used to think it's the huge choruses with heavily layered vocals, but many of the most popular pop songs have subdued choruses (e.g. Ariana Grande problem) and oftentime pop songs skip on the whole vocal layering thing (e.g. Julia Michael's issues). I then thought it had to do with the theory behind the songwriting, but I find that most songs that hit the radio contain simple repetitive motifs and hooks, not just pop (e.g country, rock, folk, pretty much every mass consumed genre and then some). Which leads to me to ask; what exactly defines pop and what are the methods used to achieve it?

Answer 1

Pop music is whatever is deemed popular. It spans across genres. There is no one right way or wrong way to write a pop song because it’s ultimately made popular based on radio spins, YouTube video plays, and hundreds of thousands of streams. Pop music is no longer defined by boy bands or pop princesses. In fact, the number one song on the Billboard 100 is “Truth Hurts” by Lizzo who is a hip hop artist. Of course you could sit here and break down chord progressions or which key the song is in, and to a certain extent popular music does have a methodology of up-tempo, nonsense lyrics or anthemic music but pop music is really not about the traditional song structure or melodic through line. Pop music is temporary. Today it’s Billie Elilish tomorrow it’s Post Malone. When you write a song, how does it make you feel? What are you trying to say? What is your intention? How do you want the listener to feel when they hear it? Ultimately, that is what will determine whether or not a song is popular or a pop song. Popularity is subjective and usually fleeting.