Skip to main content

[@ChrisWillx] The Music Industry’s Engine Behind #1 Hits - Rick Beato

· 4 min read
[@ChrisWillx] Summarizer
Video Bot

@ChrisWillx - "The Music Industry’s Engine Behind #1 Hits - Rick Beato"

Link: https://youtu.be/oS9ajaVNqkw

Short Summary​

Here's a breakdown of the key takeaway and a summary based on the provided transcript:

Number One Action Item/Takeaway:

To succeed in pop music today, artists need to be proactive in self-promotion, particularly on social media platforms like TikTok, as viral moments are crucial for career advancement.

Executive Summary:

The process of creating pop music has shifted, with many artists relying on professional songwriters and producers for song creation and less on their own songwriting skills. Success now hinges heavily on an artist's ability to generate viral content and self-promote through social media, highlighting the importance of being a social media expert in addition to being a talented musician.

Key Quotes​

Here are four direct quotes from the YouTube video transcript that represent valuable insights:

  1. "The thing now about pop music is that you have to be your own promotion department. basically to be really successful. So, you have to be you kind of have to be an expert in social media."

  2. "If you don't have a viral moment with a song that's you know the the days of the record labels creating your career are pretty much over. Yes, they can help but um but it's very difficult if you don't have something that's on TikTok blowing up to uh to have a successful single."

  3. "As people get older...once people hit 30 or so artists...they begin to...lose the spark, if you will."

  4. "Producerdriven songs are songs like um would be something like Since You've Been Gone by Kelly Clarkson. That was Max Martin and Dr. Luke wrote this song. They recorded they wrote the song. They wrote the lyrics. They recorded everything. She came in and sang it. And that's a producer driven song."

Detailed Summary​

Here's a detailed summary of the YouTube video transcript, focusing on the key topics, arguments, and information discussed:

  • Popular Understanding vs. Reality of Pop Song Creation:

    • The public sees the glamorous side of pop music through social media, but the behind-the-scenes process is often misunderstood.
    • A common misconception is that the singer is always the primary songwriter.
    • Co-writers are often perceived as minor contributors, but in reality, many pop artists have limited involvement in writing their songs beyond choosing them.

  • Evolution of Songwriting:

    • In the 1980s, co-writing was less common, especially in rock music, where bands primarily wrote their own songs.
    • Pop artists have long used co-writers (since the 1950s).

  • The Importance of Self-Promotion and Social Media:

    • Modern pop artists need to be their own promotion department, excelling in social media.
    • Success relies heavily on viral moments on platforms like TikTok.
    • Record labels still help, but a viral hit is crucial for a successful single.

  • Concerns about Numerous Songwriters:

    • The public may question the necessity of having numerous songwriters contributing to a single song.

  • Artist's Creative Peak and Output:

    • Artists may lose their creative "spark" around age 30, though this is up for debate.
    • The Beatles are used as an example of high output within a short period, contrasting with the slower pace of album releases and touring cycles today.
    • The intense writing and recording schedule of bands like The Beatles was likened to "working out," keeping their songwriting "muscles" strong.
    • Competition between band members and other bands may serve as inspiration for artist.

  • Producer-Driven vs. Artist-Driven Songs:

    • Producer-Driven: The producer(s) write the music, lyrics, and record everything; the artist simply sings. Example given: "Since You've Been Gone" by Kelly Clarkson.
    • Artist-Driven: The artist is heavily involved in the songwriting process.
    • Most music now is considered producer-driven.
    • Traditionally, songwriters compose the music first and then add lyrics.

  • Nashville Songwriting Example:

    • Experiences in Nashville with collaborative songwriting sessions were described.
    • Sessions often involved three songwriters from different publishing companies.
    • "Track guys" (producers) come in with pre-made tracks.
    • The focus was often on including as many publishing companies as possible in the songwriting credits.
    • Much of modern country radio is producer-driven due to this model.