Chris Dalla Riva

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.

When trouble strikes in music town, there’s one guy who gets the call. That’s me, Joe Treble, forensic musicologist. This week, I've got one of the most shocking cases I've ever worked. Someone killed the key change in pop music, and I’m going to do whatever it takes to find the perpetrator.The key change used to be at large on the Billboard charts. From the 1950s to the 1990s, 20-30% of all number one hits featured one. In Whitney Houston’s “I Wanna Dance With Somebody," the key change hits right before the final chorus. The song’s harmonic center shifts up, raising the pitch of the song, challenging the vocalist to hit higher and higher notes, juicing the big finish with excitement and pep. But starting in the 1990s the key change virtually disappeared from the Hot 100. Now, hit songs start and end in the same key, and no one seems to have even noticed. Except for me.This investigation will bring me face to face with a rogue's gallery of suspects and sources: Chris Dalla Riva, music and data specialist; Brandon McFarland, alias 1-O.A.K., producer; Emily King, singer and songwriter. Each interrogation brings me closer to revealing the murderer, but will I be able to handle the terrible truth? Tune in as I tackle the hardest case of my career: the case of the missing key change!Songs DiscussedEmily King - Georgia Sleepwalker, Medal, The Way that You Love MeYG, Kamaiyah, RJ, Mitch, Ty Dolla $ign - Do Yo Dance (feat. Kamaiyah, RJ, Mitch, Ty Dolla $ign)Beyoncé - Love On TopBon Jovi - Livin' On A PrayerWhitney Houston - I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)Frank Sinatra - Strangers In The Night Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Chris Dalla Riva, a data journalist and author of Uncharted Territory, dives into fascinating topics around the Billboard Hot 100. He critiques how streaming has reshaped music charts, arguing it brings both accuracy and boredom. Dalla Riva also discusses the growing prevalence of Christmas songs in the Top 10 and unpacks the 'wilderness years' of the Hot 100. The power of playlists is highlighted, showing their influence on hits like Lorde's 'Royals.' Exploring the evolution of pop music through numbers, he reveals how chart trends reflect deeper industry shifts.

Chris Dalla Riva, a musician and data analyst, delves into the fascinating world where music meets analytics. He shares his ambitious project of listening to every Billboard No. 1 hit, revealing insights about song structure influenced by technology. Discussing misconceptions about streaming payouts and song authenticity, he highlights the impact of genre labels shaped by industry biases. Chris also addresses the ethical implications of AI in music, sparking a thought-provoking conversation on creativity and representation in the digital age.

Chris Dalla Riva, a musician and data analyst at Audiomack, shares insights from his book, Uncharted Territory, where he analyzed every Billboard Hot 100 number-one song. He discusses why Bob Dylan never topped the charts, exploring the role of luck and timing. Chris dives into how data reveals trends in music and culture, the impact of technology like Auto-Tune and AI, and the cyclical nature of pop music. Additionally, he highlights the enduring relevance of vinyl and album art in today's digital landscape.