The Recipe Of A Hit Song | Noah Askin | TEDxINSEADSingapore

What makes a song reach the top 100 billboard? Is it pure chance or is there something else that goes into making the perfect recipe for a hit song?

Assistant Professor of Organisational Behaviour at INSEAD, his current research focuses on music: chart and industry dynamics, perceptions of authenticity, and cultural innovation. Tune-in to watch him talk about - "What is the recipe of a hit song?"

[TheRoneZone]

It's simple, follow the trend cause it's clearly working, but do something unique to make it stand out.

[cuulinn]

The 3 key elements of a hit song: Memorableness, Unexpectedness and Spreadability

[mrbabinga]

Seems the biggest problem with music is it is produced for money as the motivator and not for the sake of artistic expression.

[axeman]

"Go not where the path may lead, Go Instead where there is no path and leave a trail". Keith Emerson

[bryanpasian]

Old town road? Trap enough but has the country element that makes it stand out?

[mr.yellowstrat]

I'd love to see the charts for the anomalies like Nirvana and others that were a total standout of the time

[FODeath]

“It’s all about a dollar man, don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.” -Wiz Khalifa

[noneyour]

Can this guy express how Max Martin continues to be a success.

[jamesjohansson]

Dudes got a point. That's why Hip Hop made it so big so quickly (despite mostly using samples in the beginning). Using something that seems like it's always been there, but not how you put it out. DJ Quik (Hip Hop artist) talks about this on his video, 'Visualism'.

[AirbenderB]

10:09 "the competitive context in which a song is released. Artists and producers trying to make a successful track can't possibly know what their track will be entering into. So If they have an option, they might as well be interesting rather than generic. It pays to be a little unique." !!!

[Programme]

"There's hope for music", yes, and this hope is 99% located everywhere but in the music industry he's talking about

[benkalachik]

summary of his ted talk( don't alienate people and be unique). thanks for the tips, I didn't know that.

[Feirin]

I wonder how much this guy would revise his talk today.

[ColinProcter]

Just to add grist to the mill of the "lyrics vs music debate", US and UK rock and pop music was a huge phenomenon all over the world in the 50s, 60s and 70s. Most of these countries did not have English as their first language. Certainly 90% of the youngsters buying records in Europe, Asia, Africa and South America had very little idea what the lyrics in songs by Elvis, Chuck Berry, the Beatles, Rolling Stones, etc. were saying, and yet their songs dominated the charts in those countries for a decade or more. All these fans could respond to was the music. The lyrics were just additional sounds in the mix.

Learning English was even discouraged in the Eastern European Comminist countries. In fact, one Western pop song was used as an anti-establishment anthem by teenagers in communist countries. It was recorded off of the radio and pressesd and distributed on vinyl with the title "Shizgarah!" because that's what they thought it was called. Anti-establishment nightclubs, magazines and books were named Shizgarah after the song!! Actually, Shizgarah was a mis-hearing of "she's got it!" which was a line in the chorus! The song was n fact "Venus", a pretty harmless pop song by Shocking Blue, but the sound of the song was urgent and energetic and THAT'S what gave it it's meaning, Not the lyrics.

Basically, if there are two identical chart songs, and one has a well written lyric, the higher quality lyric might just be enough to get it to sell a bit more. However, in the modern age (the last 60 years), lyrics have not had much influence over the commercial success of a release. The music has usually (not always) been far more important in carrying the appeal and meaning of popular songs. That is why the lyrics were not accounted for in this video.

[soundarya]

This was the time 1989 was released and 'shake it off' was released.. How cool is that? or... how danceable is that???

[ReneStover]

It could be that the So-Called Whitney Houston Song (I will always love you) had already been proven to be a hit in 1974, and again in 1982 by Dolly Parton who wrote it, and recorded in in both of those years, making it a number one hit both times!

[tonyofarrell]

Read john seabrook's "The song machine" excellent book on how hit records are made .Also explains how some artists have star appeal and some just dont.

[Airwheelz]

Super cool research and a phenomenal presentation! This indeed, has informed my perspective on popular music and also given me a lot to think about as a musician. Thanks to Noah and all the others involved!

[HandleThiSS]

Why is everyone always down on pop music? It obviously sounds really good to a lot of ppl. Isn't that the point?

[stiebingiii]

I think that all art and music is inspired.  in other words, the Creator inspires the creature.  Accordingly, human beings are not the source: we are a conduit.