What makes a catchy chorus? Being able to sing along to a familiar-sounding melody instantly, for one. Repetition can help the situation, as well. When you hear a song for the first time, it can be revelatory. Certain songs just draw from a familiar place. These earworms can be stuck in your brain for days. Sometimes the only thing to do is listen to the song again—if you can’t beat ’em, join ’em! So crank these poppy songs up, even if you’ve heard them a million times.
Videos by American Songwriter
1. “Be Sweet” by Japanese Breakfast, written by Jack Tatum and Michelle Zauner
Be sweet to me, baby
I wanna believe in you. I wanna believe
(Be sweet)
Be sweet to me, baby
I wanna believe in you. I wanna believе in something
The lead single from the third Japanese Breakfast album, Jubilee, “Be Sweet” is a bit of a departure for lead singer/songwriter Michelle Zauner. Her first two albums were expressions of stress and grief after caring for and then losing her mother. Jubilee is more of an expression of joy. Zauner cites Bjork as an influence. Jack Tatum of the Blacksburg, Virginia, pop band Wild Nothing co-wrote the song. Jubilee was nominated for Best Alternative Album at the 64th Annual Grammy Awards.
2. “You Belong with Me” by Taylor Swift, written by Liz Rose and Taylor Swift
If you could see that, I’m the one
Who understands you
Been here all along
So, why can’t you see?
You belong with me
The third single from the 2008 album Fearless, “You Belong with Me,” crossed over to No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. It was during Swift’s acceptance speech for winning the Best Female Video Award for the song’s video at the MTV Music Video Awards that Kanye West infamously interrupted her, grabbing the microphone and claiming Beyoncé had “one of the best videos of all time,” for “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It).” And although West wasn’t lyin’, “You Belong with Me” is pretty great, too. It’s been certified Platinum 7x by the RIAA.
3. “Drop It Like It’s Hot” by Snoop Dogg feat. Pharrell, written by Calvin Broadus, John Guldberg, Chad Hugo, Tim Stahl, and Pharrell Williams
When the pimp’s in the crib ma
Drop it like it’s hot
Drop it like it’s hot
Drop it like it’s hot
When the pigs try to get at you
Park it like it’s hot
Park it like it’s hot
Park it like it’s hot
And if a nigga get a attitude
Pop it like it’s hot
Pop it like it’s hot
Pop it like it’s hot
I got the Rollie on my arm, and I’m pouring Chandon
And I roll the best weed ’cause I got it going on
[RELATED: The 19 Best Snoop Dogg Quotes]
The phrase “drop it like it’s hot”was actually used in songs before this one. Positive K used it in “Ain’t No Crime” on The Skills Dat Pay Da Bills in 1992. Clark Kent said it in “Cashmere Thoughts” on Jay-Z’s debut album. Little Wayne used it in 1999 on Juvenile’s “Back That Azz Up,” and even used it as a title on his own debut album, Tha Block is Hot. DJ Quik used it in “Sexuality.” The Big Tymers and Minus the Bear both had songs with that title as well before Snoop Dogg released his lead single from R&G (Rhythm & Gansta): The Masterpiece (2005). OBut that said, on December 10, 2009, Billboard magazine named Snoop’s definitive “Drop It Like It’s Hot” the most popular rap song of the decade.
4. “Seven” by Jungkook (featuring Latto), written by Jon Bellion, Cirkut, Latto, Theron Makiel Thomas, and Andrew Watt
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday
Saturday, Sunday (a week)
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday
Seven days a week
Every hour, every minute, every second
You know, night after night
I’ll be lovin’ you right, seven days a week
As part of BTS, Jungkook is known all over the world. In America, “Seven” hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and the magazine described it as an “invigorating summer song.” A couple months before releasing “Seven” in the summer of 2023, Jungkook donated ₩1 billion (the equivalent of $874,164 US Dollars) to the Children’s Hospital at Seoul National University.
5. “Baby” by Justin Beiber feat. Ludacris, written by Justin Bieber, Christopher Bridges, Christina Milian, Terius Nash, and Christopher “Tricky” Stewart
Baby, baby, baby, oh
Like, Baby, baby, baby, no
Like, Baby, baby, baby, oh
I thought you’d always be mine, mine
Admittedly, there is not what one might call “substance” in this chorus. But what a hooky, catchy ditty. The lead single from the Canadian singer’s debut album, “Baby” would go on to be one of the most viewed clips ever on YouTube. (It’s also earned the honor of being one of the most disliked videos on that platform.) Bieber and Ludacris were both living in Atlanta at the time, and the singer reached out to him to be a featured guest.
So what makes pop songs accessible, then? If they’re still stuck in your brain the day after you first heard them, even if you don’t like the song…those are the catchiest. Don’t fight it, embrace it. “Baby, baby, baby, oh…”
Photo by Justin Shin/Getty Images
