What Makes A Particular Piece Of Music Popular?

The big companies that sign them, thus promoting, scheduling tours, getting airtime on the radio as well as visibility on the social networks these days.

According to Dire Straits, you look at them yo-yos, that's the way you do it. You play the guitar on the MTV. Although that information might be out dated since I don't believe MTV has played a video since 1998. Although I got to tell you, them guys ain't dumb!

it depends on the musician.

PSY had a really ridiculous that was easy to parody. it had a good beat and it made him popular, even though only a few people could understand him. others do outrageous things like wearing meat on stage.

i can't say why a certain person becomes a thing, though i think marketing is the main factor. bieber only did well because of his branding. he isn't much of a singer. i think another part is the ability to sing it yourself. if the piece is far too complex, and you can't sing it in the shower, it won't be that famous. michael jackson, and the rest have that singing in the shower ideal.

as for me, i like the non mainstream stuff.


---Mike Savad

repetition.

Marketing, repetition, previous popularity of the "artist", catchy beat and/or words, fun to listen to, fun to dance to. I think all of these things are factors. A way to look at this is ask yourself why people loved Liberace. Was it because he was a great pianist? Hardly. It was because he was a great entertainer. And that's often what makes a song popular, its just plain entertaining.

The Cerebral Cortex. (And no, that isn't the name of a band.)

Things become popular because of marketing. But the thing that's being marketed also has to have the 'it' factor about it to begin with, in order to get popular. In the case with music, this 'it' factor is usually a catchy chorus or what they call the "hook."

--Roz Barron Abellera

Also ear worm factor - http://www.radiolab.org/story/91630-earworms/

I've just read that Nicki Minaj reclaimed the twerk in the 'Anaconda' music video.

SBTRKT

Edward, I've got a bad one this week...since last Firday...driving me nuts!!

We should probably pick "a particular piece of music" and start there. Here's one that's popular; it definitely has an addictive little hook:



Lorde co-wrote and performs the song. She released it 13 months ago when she was 16 years old. Since then it has become an international hit and she has rocketed to semi-superstardom, appearing on numerous awards shows.

The young New Zealander drafted the song in 30 minutes, then handed it off to producer Joel Little for polishing. Lorde won Best Pop Solo Performance and "Royals" won Song of the Year at the 56th Annual Grammy Awards. Lorde is the youngest female solo artist to chart a Billboard number-one single in 26 years. It is the top-selling song of the year by a female artist.

I love the song. So why is it doing so well?

First and foremost, it's a great song, great hook, great lyrics, great feel, great melody. Lorde is attractive, but also very different. She isn't the typical performer. She is toned down quite a bit in the video, but a look at any of her live gigs confirms a "can't look away" stage presence.

Second, the initial promotion that put the song in front of a receptive audience was masterful. That included her YouTube video (nearly 341 million views to date) and live performances on Letterman and Ellen, as well as shows in the UK and New Zealand.

Now the song has a life of it's own and has already been covered a number of times by other artists.

Is that the sort of popular we're talking about?


Dan Turner
Dan Turner's Seven Keys to Selling Art Online

Excellent input everyone.

Special thanks to, Roz for mention of the hook. As an amateur (hobbyist) singer-songwriter I have written a few hook lines that folks have told me were pretty good. Hook lines are certainly important when it comes to giving any song the POTENTIAL of becoming popular.

Then of course there is “payola”, which according to Wiki:

"Payola, in one form or another, is as old as the music business."[2] In earlier eras there was not much public scrutiny of the reasons songs became hits.”

For those interested this is the entire article.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Payola

Until the advent of programing done by the staff of large companies delivering automatic programing to the numerous radio stations they own, nearly every station had a program director.

My cousin introduced me to radio work when he worked as a D J at a local easy listening station. (he taught me how to run “the board”)

This station was a part of a television station, a top forty (AM) station, and the FM Easy Listening station.

The owner of the three had a fascination with the FM station and took it upon himself to be program director. The music was all vinyl, all LP, and the owner made sure there were no songs that were played by using a crayon to make any song on the record unplayable.

At any rate, there are still small independent stations that use a program director, who is---if not the owner themselves---usually one of the DJs.

As for hook lines? I think one of the most brilliant ones I have ever heard was, “There's a hole in daddy's arm where all the money goes.”

Of course this song didn't really make the “pop charts”, yet, “'Sam Stone' ranked eighth in a Rolling Stone magazine poll of the ten saddest songs of all time."

Here is another that never made the pop charts but it is one of my favorites. I often wonder why a piece of such extraordinary music as this is not more popular than it is.

By the way, the “little woman” seems to belive it is a good “dance tune”. :-D

Here is one that DID make the country pop charts. Yet the rendition was a cover played by, David Allen Coe.

This is the co-author of the song. Hook line? Ha. With lyrics like this who needs a hook line?

Hi, Dan.

Thanks for sharing the video, and your observations.

First I applaud, Ella Marija Lani Yelich-O'Connor for taking the stage name. This is often a good gimmick. Obviously it has worked well for her.

Next, she has a wonderful voice. Soft, but deep and even throaty at times. But I am not sure she has a wide vocal range. Which is okay. One not need a broad vocal range to sing a pop song.

And I can certainly understand why this song is so very popular. The rhythms are simplistic, the melody is not at all convoluted, and the lyrics have a rebellious tone about them.

All of which tends to attract the kind of audience a pop song needs to propel it to the top of the Pop Charts.

The use of the backup vocalists is also very good. But that is probably to do more with the individual, or individuals, producing the song.

“Is that the sort of popular we're talking about?”

In a word, maybe. It may sound crazy but I was really looking for music outside the “Pop Song” genre.

I wonder how many adolescents, and teenagers would be intrigued by an artist like Stevie Ray Vaughn---covering a song that was written in 1955---were they exposed to it.

“Vaughan's version is listed as Rolling Stone's 66th Greatest Guitar Song, and Digital Dream Door's 6th Greatest Guitar Solo. A cover of Vaughan's version was featured in the music video game Guitar Hero.”--- Source,

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texas_Flood_(song)


Here is the video I put together for the “sort” of popular pieces of music I was speaking to.

Popular with who? The old " three chords and the truth" seems to have worked for years.

For any Americana music fans NPR will be doing a webcast 5 pm pst tonight of the Americana Music Awards. Jackson Browne, Loretta Lyn and Taj Mahal are receiving awards.

http://www.npr.org/event/music/347625625/the-2014-americana-music-honors-awards

I believe there are many factors to consider.. and unfortunately the music itself is often near the bottom of the list.. Anyway..here's some truly awesome musicianship that will never make the top 10.. enjoy!

So are we talking popular or not? How does listing a lot of unpopular songs help us understand what makes a particular piece of music popular?


Dan Turner
Dan Turner's Seven Keys to Selling Art Online

As far as the Lorde track is concerned...You cant really get much more in the way of mass appeal than the lyrics.."we will never be royal".. there are very few beings on the planet that can say.."speak for yourself Lorde!"
She is rather pretty though and with her youth as a gimmick too... this is certainly much easier to promote and push on the masses than the overweight hairy bloke with the fast fingers!

"...her youth as a gimmick..."

It does help. It's nearly mandatory. But -- there are lots of young, beautiful singer/songwriters who will never "break through". I know several of them; I lived in Southern California for over two decades and was heavily involved in the music scene there.

Beauty, youth and talent. Good start, but still not enough.


Dan Turner
Dan Turner's Seven Keys to Selling Art Online

Is my stuff popular? Try "Send My Roots Rain" at Soundcloud

https://soundcloud.com/send-my-roots-rain

It's right up my street Jack! Only time to listen to the first track..I'll have to come back to this later .. great stuff!

Dan.. yeah.. your right.. Beauty,youth, talent and a rich connected daddy maybe?...(i'm being presumptuous)

Ok..I listened to some more Jack.. It's popular with me..but then I like trancey loops and beats with ambient pads and sweeps! may be an acquired taste tho :o) what software/tools do you favour?

“How does listing a lot of unpopular songs help us understand what makes a particular piece of music popular?” --- Dan Turner

Sorry I have not been more articulate, Dan. Pop Songs are their own genre.

Which song do you believe have been posted here that are unpopular? They are each popular in their own genre.

Note: I think young, preadolescence, adolescence, and teen girls, (and less often boys, not to mention the adults that try to keep abreast of the pop tunes) are highly influential in the play lists that program directors develop.

And of course the more air play these recordings receive the more likely such musical pieces garner sales.

Dan, I am disappointed you have not presented deeper discussion points.

Excellent post, Barry! Wonderful example of percussive finger-style on the guitar.

Meanwhile, this song, has been popular since my great uncle (Ervin T Rouse) in 1939.

The song is considered a bluegrass standard.

This rather popular “orchestra” has helped continue the popularity of this bluegrass standard. It has passed the test of time, and while it was once considered a “pop song”, it has lived a life of decades. Well deserved I believe due to it's popularity among those that listen to music that is a bit deeper than those on the top forty pop charts.



Note: as most of their (Ukulele Orchestra of GB) tunes, this one is medley, with a few twists, a bit of comedy, and an extraordinary feat in and of itself: Five people playing a single ukulele. :->

And here's some fine musicians..in fact, one of the finest guitarists on the planet and a rather accomplished jazz pianist teaming up with the boy Zenger..they surely see some talent!

For anybody who does appreciate the skills on display here.. The Guitarist is a Finnish gentleman called Marzi Nyman.. on piano is the fantastic Iiro Rantala..and of course the beatboxing is performed by Felix Zenger..

Note: All the the noises produced by the beatboxer have been taken from hip-hop turntableists. Turntableism is a recognized instrumental skill and so is the beatboxing which has stemmed from it. It's commonly known as progress.

Kid Koala.... yeah..no skill required..lol... 3.00mins+ the real skill comes out!

edit..ok..maybe going too far with q-bert and turntableism.. so here's a liitle Dolly

Thanks for sharing, Barry.

Certainly Beat Boxing requires talent, but I find it grows tiresome after listening for more than a few minutes.

I don't have time to dig further, but Butterscotch (the 2005 womens' beat box champion) not only possesses both the beat box chops, but plays guitar, and sings as well. Not to mention her vocal trumpet improvisation.

I have found time to listen to a bit of her material. She carries the talent to a whole new level in my opinion.



And as for Rap music? While the poetry may be excellent, I find the basic, repetitive beats, and simple rhythms (without much attempt at melody) of rap music (and hip hop) downright irritating.

Of course I may not be a good judge for the simple reason I don't listen to this genre much. Except when stopped at a red light and my “neighbor” treats me to the sound of the constant, “Boom, boom boom”.

When I am in the mood for poetic genius I pull out my copy of the complete works of Emily  Dickinson.

Years ago one of my local music stores used this logo.

“Music for the masses....and You!

I submit that music doesn't have to be exceptional in order to be popular.

Walter..You have already displayed an appreciation of the skills and talent involved in the various styles (rap, beatbox etc) despite the fact that you don't like the style. Hats off to you for transcending ignorance :o) And Thanks for introducing me to Butterscotch..!

Thank you for sharing that, Phillip.

Yet the vocals in the song you shared seem to me to be more chanting, than singing. Which I suppose is okay if you like that sort of thing.

I am intrigued by the line, “I reminice (sic) it was hell (h)uggin on my momma from a jail cell”.

It appears to me that this little diddy is more about culture than anything else....which is okay, I suppose...If it is culture that one perceives to be one that needs to be promoted.

Question: I wonder if the writer's momma really was a “crack fiend”. The tune seems to send a message that it is justifiable to sell “rocks”. Am I wrong?


And you are welcome, Barry.

Yet I am a bit confused with your statement regarding my 'transcending ignorance'. Please elaborate, sir.

I submit there is a great difference in setting poetry to music, and writing profound lyrics.

"Yet I am a bit confused with your statement regarding my 'transcending ignorance'. Please elaborate, sir."

of course... you are NOT ignorant to the skill and technique involved in producing this music which you don't particularly like.... You give the impression of being a true music lover..as opposed to a simple fan of a particular style who may choose to ignore and dismiss other styles as being void of talent and skill.

Hi. Philip.

“The message of the song is about his mother...”

While I concede I may have misunderstood the message, I still contend that the words are recited, or chanted, and should not be considered singing.

This, coupled with the reasons I listed above, lead me to find the piece lacking.

And yet, the “song” is considered popular? Why is this?

“...but to counter the statement made by another poster that rap doesn't involve any skill...”

I did not do that, Philip. I provided my own reasons.

Question. What is a song without singing?

"What is a song without singing?"

Hi Walter... the birds that sing us awake every morning use repetitive rhythms and a very limited range of tones..(a bit like rappers).but lack any lyrics...and yet they are song birds. :-)

Of course it's a song.
Johnny Cash raps in "A Boy Named Sue." Jimmy Dean raps in "Big John." Those are songs, too.


Dan Turner
Dan Turner's Seven Keys to Selling Art Online

I think you hit the nail on the head, Philip.


Dan Turner
Dan Turner's Seven Keys to Selling Art Online

I agree..I didn't want to mention it outright but there is more than a sniff of the old R word floating around in this thread.... Bravo Philip!

Barry, since there are only a few participants here and this thread is about to go to defcon 3, think about opening a similar discussion in your heat group.


Dan Turner
Dan Turner's Seven Keys to Selling Art Online

Dan...You make a good point... But i'm getting a little tired of seeing my mug all over the discussion board :-) Also.. it is walking a thin line and may be encouraging certain views to be expressed which would go against one of the very few rules we have.. So..I "get you"..but better not eh!

One of the most popular Artists ever Ray Charles.
His birthday was yesterday.

Today's music is so bad, I think it's on purpose. It has to be something planned.

"Today's music is so bad, I think it's on purpose. It has to be something planned."

I disagree. There are a wealth of new artists and performers pushing boundaries and making great music.

The same was said when Frank Sinatra came along, and Elvis, and The Beatles...


Dan Turner
Dan Turner's Seven Keys to Selling Art Online

There's a hypocrisy going on. Take country music and hip hop. It's ok for some white hillbilly to sing about getting drunk, being poor, getting into bar fights etc,...because that's real "country". But when a black rapper raps about essentially the same things from their perspective it's considered not ok. Maybe it's just plain racism. 

Just for the record I have never said anything like that.

As well: “You based it on one single line in the song.” ?

I posted my reasons long before you posted the 2pac video.

It sounds to me like you are now simply being argumentative.

Furthermore, there is a big difference in reciting, and singing. If you can't tell the difference perhaps you should do some research.

Walter, you get bogged down in syntax and unimportant details. The thread is titled "What Makes A Particular Piece of Music Popular?" Rapping, chanting, singing, reciting to music -- they're all songs, they're all music.

Let's get back to the discussion.


Dan Turner
Dan Turner's Seven Keys to Selling Art Online

Hi, Dan. I believe the word you were looking for was, semantics. Syntax has a completely different meaning, not to mention spelling---in case you blame your spell check....

Perhaps you should go back to denigrating the thread itself. You seem to excel in that regard.

“...only a few participants here and this thread is about to go to defcon 3”.

I'm around other musicians all the time. People who play music generally like all kinds of music, even though we have our preferences.

Occasionally I hear "I hate jazz" or "I hate rap" or "I hate country" or "I hate blues" -- whatever. I always interpret that to mean "I'm not real familiar with it and I don't understand it."

Sometimes I get to help them. In the case of rap, I don't start people off with an artist like Eminem. Too strong. I throw 'em something more hip-hoppy with a definite hook, like Flo Rida's "Low." Very popular back in the day:



Or, go ahead and do Eminem, but pick one with a traditional musical hook to counter-balance the rap. This one is fairly current and super-popular:



Why are these popular? Because they are both masterfully written and performed, and excellent examples of their genres. (and if you put Rihanna on your record and in your video you are guaranteed millions of views)


Dan Turner
Dan Turner's Seven Keys to Selling Art Online

Steely Dan...lol..that's band..not you Dan!.. laid back jazzy, funky white boys getting the hip-hop treatment by De-la Soul.
Peace!

But what makes their songs popular, Barry?

I used a couple of tunes from the Allman Brothers for this video.

Can anyone tell me how popular either of the two tunes here were?