Do four AI assistants agree on how to write a hit?

ChatGPT

1. Start with a strong, memorable hook.
2. Keep the melody simple and singable.
3. Make the chorus emotionally clear and repeatable.
4. Write lyrics that feel specific but relatable.
5. Create contrast between verse, pre-chorus, and chorus.
6. Use a strong rhythm or groove that feels immediate.
7. Keep the structure tight and easy to follow.
8. Make every line serve the song’s central feeling.

Claude

1. Hook first — your catchiest idea should hit within the first 30 seconds
2. Keep it simple — memorable melodies use repetition and limited notes
3. Write a universal emotion — love, loss, joy, and struggle connect with everyone
4. Build tension and release — verses should create anticipation the chorus delivers
5. Tell a story — give listeners a beginning, middle, and emotional payoff
6. Make the title the anchor — repeat it at the peak moment of the song
7. Serve the groove — rhythm and feel matter as much as melody and lyrics
8. Edit ruthlessly — cut anything that doesn't serve the song's core idea

Gemini

1. Hook 'Em Early:** Deliver a memorable melody, lyric, or beat within the first 30 seconds to capture attention immediately.
2. Keep Structure Familiar:** Use a proven pop formula like Verse-Chorus-Verse-Chorus-Bridge-Chorus to keep listeners comfortable.
3. Make the Chorus Explode:** Ensure the chorus is the most dramatic, highest-energy, and catchiest section of the song.
4. Write Relatable Lyrics:** Focus on universal themes like love, heartbreak, triumph, or partying that a broad audience can feel.
5. Prioritize Rhythmic Prosody:** Match the rhythm and cadence of the music perfectly to the natural flow of spoken words.
6. Use Repetition Strategically:** Repeat key melodic phrases and lyric hooks enough times to make them instantly sticky, but stop before they become annoying.
7. Create Dynamic Contrast:** Shift energy, instrumentation, or vocal range between verses and choruses to prevent boredom.
8. Keep It Simple and Concise:** Trim all unnecessary fluff, aim for a length under 3.5 minutes, and ensure the core idea is easy to digest.

Perplexity

1. Start with a memorable hook.
2. Reach the chorus quickly.
3. Write a simple, singable melody.
4. Make the chorus emotionally powerful.
5. Use clear, relatable lyrics.
6. Give the song a distinctive twist.
7. Build energy and vary each section.
8. Keep the arrangement focused and concise.

• One run per assistant: ChatGPT (gpt-5.5-2026-04-23), Claude (claude-sonnet-4-6), Gemini (gemini-3.6-flash) and Perplexity (sonar, web search on); the other three ran without web search. Answers capped at 2,000 tokens.
• Prompt (identical): "What are the 8 most important rules for writing a hit song? Give exactly 8 short bullet points, one rule each, no intro or outro."
• We hand-coded the 32 rules into themes. A rule counts toward a theme when it states the idea explicitly (e.g. 'reach the chorus quickly' counts as 'get to the hook or chorus fast').