Podcast Summary
The inflection point of 1991 in music history: The introduction of Nielsen's SoundScan in 1991 revolutionized music charts by using point-of-sales data, leading to a more balanced and accurate representation of the music industry and diverse genres.
The way we consume and understand music has dramatically changed over the past 60 years, as highlighted by the release of R.E.M.'s "Losing My Religion" in 1991. Prior to this, Billboard's music charts were influenced by label preferences and record store inventories, leading to an inaccurate representation of the music landscape. However, with the introduction of Nielsen's SoundScan in 1991, which used point-of-sales data from cash registers, the charts became more truthful and representative of the actual music consumption. This shift led to a more balanced representation of various genres, allowing for a more diverse and accurate understanding of the music industry. So, when you're feeling lost in the world of music history, remember to look for the inflection point of 1991 and the release of "Losing My Religion."
Billboard's chart measurement change impacted music industry's genres: The 1991 Billboard chart change revealed a more diverse and persistent musical landscape, leading to country's resurgence, rap's rise, and longer chart stays for songs.
The shift in Billboard's chart measurement methodology in 1991 led to a more accurate reflection of the music Americans were truly listening to. This change brought about significant shifts in musical genres' popularity. For instance, country music saw a surge with Garth Brooks' "Rope in the Wind" becoming the longest-running number one album on the Billboard 200, surpassing Nirvana's "Nevermind." Additionally, NWA's "Appetite for Destruction" marked the first rap album to hit number one, paving the way for rap and hip hop's dominance in the music industry for the following decades. This accounting change also revealed that America's musical tastes were more diverse and persistent than previously thought, with songs staying at the top of the charts for longer periods.
From Melody to Rhythm: The Evolution of Music Charts: The Billboard Hot 100's focus shift from melody to rhythm marked the rise of hip hop, representing the most rhythmic music we've ever had. Melodic memes dominated the 20th century, but rhythmic memes rule the 21st.
The evolution of music charts, specifically the Billboard Hot 100, significantly influenced the popular music landscape by shifting the focus from melody to rhythm, marking the rise of hip hop. This change can be seen as the culmination of a long journey in American popular music, where the obsession shifted from melody to rhythm. Paul Simon's observation about the decline of melody in music is significant, as hip hop is characterized by its rhythmic nature. This trend began decades earlier with genres like ragtime, rock and roll, funk, and disco. Hip hop, with its various incarnations, represents the most rhythmic music we've ever had. This doesn't mean that melodically focused music is inferior; it's just different. The 20th century was dominated by melodic memes, with hit songs sharing similar chord progressions. However, in the 21st century, rhythmic memes have taken over. For instance, Vox's analysis of triplet flow as a meme in rap music illustrates this shift. Cardi B's "Bodak Yellow" and Desiigner's "Panda" are examples of this trend. This doesn't mean melody is dead; it's just that rhythmic memes have become more prominent.
The focus of musical memes and music genres has shifted from melody to rhythm in the 21st century.: Music listening in the 21st century emphasizes rhythm over melody, but melody remains important. Repetition and familiarity continue to play a significant role in music.
The focus of musical memes or defining elements of music genres has shifted from melody in the 20th century to rhythm in the 21st. This doesn't mean that melody or harmony are no longer important, but they have taken a backseat to rhythmic elements. Adele's popularity is a testament to the continued importance of melody. Another example of this shift is the prevalence of certain rhythmic samples in hip hop music, such as "Amen Brother" by The Winstons and "Funky Drummer" by James Brown. The charts also reflect this trend, with the biggest hits spending more time on the charts since 1991. This doesn't necessarily mean that the best songs were released after 1991, but it does indicate a preference for familiarity. The discontinuity in the data between the sales-based charts of the past and the streaming-based charts of today may give the impression that our musical tastes have changed radically, but in reality, repetition and familiarity have always been a significant part of music listening. Musicologist David Huron notes that we spend 90% of our time listening to music that we've already heard. Repetition is built into the very structure of music, with verses and choruses being repeated within songs, and songs being repeated within playlists. With the advent of streaming services, every spin is now publicly recorded, making the repetition of songs even more transparent.
Impact of Technology on Music: Shorter Songs and Quick Intros: Technology's influence on music has led to shorter songs and quicker introductions to capture listeners' attention in a crowded media landscape, resulting in a decline of average song length and introduction length over the last decade.
Technology significantly influences both music consumption and music production. In the past, physical constraints, such as vinyl size, determined the length of songs. However, with the rise of streaming, financial incentives have led to shorter songs and quicker introductions to capture listeners' attention in a crowded media landscape. This trend can be observed in the decline of average song length and introduction length over the last decade. Additionally, the most popular songs, whether it's "I Wanna Hold Your Hand" by The Beatles or Brahms' Lullaby, may not always be accurately represented in charts due to the limitations of the technology available at the time. Today, technology allows us to access a vast amount of music, and artists aim to hook listeners quickly to maximize engagement and potential revenue.
Changes in song intros throughout music history: Song intros have varied in length and popularity throughout history, influenced by external factors and artist adaptations to their environments
The length of song intros and the popularity of beginning songs with choruses have undergone significant changes throughout music history, reflecting artists' reactions to external circumstances. The 1960s saw shorter songs with quick intros, while longer intros became common in the 1970s, 80s, and 90s. In recent years, songs starting with the chorus have resurfaced, possibly due to the streaming era favoring faster-paced content. David Byrne's perspective, as mentioned in his book "How Music Works," emphasizes that context largely determines what is created, and artists often adapt to their environments to produce the most fitting music. This evolution of song structures is a testament to the dynamic interplay between art and external influences.
The Evolution of Music Creation and Popularity: Music creation has evolved with changing times, influencing the types of voices and genres we hear today. The number of collaborators per song has increased, but the essence of music remains constant.
The role and number of people involved in creating music have evolved significantly over time. The minds of musical geniuses like Puccini and Beethoven, if they were alive today, might have produced music in different genres or styles. The absence of certain types of voices in today's music scene could be due to various reasons, including changing audience preferences and the rise of technology. Context plays a crucial role in determining what we perceive as popular music. For instance, a song that doesn't resonate with us in one context might sound great in another. The trend of having more writers per song is a recent development, with the average number tripling since 1991. This shift could be attributed to various factors, including collaboration and the democratization of music production. However, despite these changes, the essence of music and the inspiration behind it remains constant.
Factors contributing to the rise in co-writers on songs: Sampling, litigious culture, expanded definition of songwriting, and democratization of recording technology have led to more co-writers on songs, impacting finances and creativity.
The music industry has seen a significant increase in the number of songwriters credited on a single song due to several factors. Sampling and interpolating elements of older songs have led to an influx of additional writers, as well as a more litigious culture that encourages defensive crediting. Additionally, the definition of songwriting has expanded to include production elements, allowing more people to claim a piece of the royalty pie. This shift began in the late 20th century and has continued into the present day, with the democratization of recording technology further blurring the lines between writing and producing. This trend not only impacts the financial incentives for artists and writers but also alters the creative process itself.
The evolution of music creation and consumption: Songwriting and production roles overlap, digital tools encourage vertical songwriting, and key changes decline in popular music
The way music is created and consumed has evolved significantly in recent decades. The separation between songs and recordings is no longer distinct, leading to overlapping roles for songwriters and producers. Additionally, the rise of digital production tools has influenced the writing process, incentivizing "vertical songwriting" where elements are stacked and unstacked rather than written section by section. This trend, in turn, has led to a decline in the use of key changes in popular music. As an example, consider the song "Break Your Heart" by Kyle Crews. While the chord progression remains consistent, the production adds and removes synthesizers to create intrigue and variation throughout the song. This vertical approach to songwriting is a result of the digital audio workstation layout, which encourages the stacking of elements rather than a linear verse-chorus-verse structure.
A vertical approach to pop music production: Pop music production in the 21st century is more visual, involving adding and removing elements vertically to create interest and anticipation, like layers in a sandwich.
The evolution of pop music production in the 21st century has shifted towards a more vertical approach, which is more visual and involves adding and removing elements vertically to create interest and anticipation. This can be compared to a sandwich, where each layer represents a different part of the song with distinct textures and instruments. The use of digital audio workstations has made this process more subtle but also more visual. The shorter length of hits, faster trip to the chorus, emphasis on rhythm over melody, and the increased number of songwriters are all part of this trend. The visual nature of modern music production is a keen observation, and it's a stark contrast to the linear approach of composing music decades ago.
The even distribution of keys in popular music due to digital tools: Digital music production tools have led to a more equal use of keys in popular music, allowing musicians to explore new sounds and adapt to their skill level.
The ease of use and versatility of digital music production tools have led to a more even distribution of keys in popular music, compared to the past when certain keys, like C and G, were favored due to their ease of play on traditional instruments. This shift in key selection is a result of the same technological advancements that have contributed to the decline in key changes. For musicians who are not highly skilled on the keyboard, this development might mean having to transpose songs into more familiar keys for performance. However, it's important to note that not all musicians are bound by this trend, and facility with piano or other instruments is not a requirement for success in music. The increased key agnosticism in music production is an intriguing evolution in the music industry, and it's a fascinating topic that often goes overlooked in discussions about the impact of technology on music.
