The Song Machine: How to Make a Hit
“cultural technology.” In a 2011 address at Stanford Business School,
John Seabrook • The Song Machine: How to Make a Hit
song P.A.S.S.I.O.N; it reached number two in 1991.
John Seabrook • The Song Machine: How to Make a Hit
Rythm [sic] Syndicate.
John Seabrook • The Song Machine: How to Make a Hit
In a 2006 New Yorker article, “The Formula,” McCready told Malcolm Gladwell, “We take a new CD far in advance of its release date. We analyze all twelve tracks.
John Seabrook • The Song Machine: How to Make a Hit
According to a 2011 research project based on a fMRI study of people listening to music, familiarity with a song reflexively causes emotional engagement; it doesn’t
John Seabrook • The Song Machine: How to Make a Hit
“Rude Boy”
John Seabrook • The Song Machine: How to Make a Hit
“What’s My Name” (“Oh, na-na-na, what’s my name?”), and for two Nicki Minaj smashes, “Super Bass”
John Seabrook • The Song Machine: How to Make a Hit
“Jimmy always says it’s all about the connection between the artist and the fans,” he says. “This whole business, it’s just about that connection. And, clearly, people feel that connection with the girls.”
John Seabrook • The Song Machine: How to Make a Hit
particular countries; the precise color of eye shadow a performer should wear in different Asian regions, as well as the hand gestures he or she should make; and the camera angles to be used in the videos (a 360-degree group shot to open the video, followed by a montage of individual close-ups).