Plain English with Derek Thompson The Science of How Music Hits Have Changed in the Last 60 Years
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Feb 24, 2023 Derek chats with Chris Dalla Riva, a talented musician and data analyst from AudioMac, about the evolution of popular music over the last 60 years. They dive into how technology has reshaped songwriting, making it more visual in today's digital landscape. Chris highlights the trend toward shorter songs and the decline of guitar solos, while also discussing the rise of rap and hip-hop dominance in the charts. The duo examines listeners' changing preferences and how collaborative songwriting is redefining the industry.
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1991 Music Chart Changes
- In 1991, Billboard changed how it collected data, impacting music charts.
- This led to a rise in hip-hop and country music's popularity and revealed America's preference for familiarity.
Rise of Rhythm
- American popular music has shifted from melody to rhythm.
- Hip-hop, a rhythmic genre, exemplifies this trend.
Musical Memes
- 20th-century music often used the same melodic memes.
- 21st-century music uses rhythmic memes like triplet flow.
