Here at the Earworm Level, we'll usually focus on the music itself, but there's something to be said here about the social appreciation of music. The popularity of a song, in general, is the sum of how many people like it by some vague personal definition of how "good" a song is. That said, opinions differ and one person's treasure may be another person's trash. Enter the Internet and the Theory of Anonymity. This is what happens when an artist with a fairly specific niche already, Owl City, gets a number one hit (on a personal note, congratulations to him. I've been following Owl City for years and I think his distinctive ethereal, video game style is incredible). The huge backlash to "Fireflies" (see comments on the YouTube video, where the song is constantly described as "gay" and proponents of the song as "fags") is a good example of the Theory, but it speaks to the song being so polarizing. The beeps and whistles and the happy innocence lyrics are what make it unique in my mind, but may make it cheesy to someone else.
Other than that, I'll agree with Steve's sentiments: mix a dream-like feeling with a hook with which you can identify and you've got a recipe for a number one hit.
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