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 music-data analyst and author of Uncharted Territory, joins the discussion on comparing Taylor Swift's fame with legendary figures like Michael Jackson. They delve into how streaming impacts popularity metrics, highlighting how today's music consumption differs from the past. Chris elaborates on Swift's strategic use of multiple album versions for sales and her unique career longevity. Ultimately, while Swift's influence is undeniable, Dalla Riva concludes that Michael Jackson’s global historical impact remains unmatched.

Chris Dalla Riva, a senior product manager at a music streaming service and author of the newsletter Can’t Get Much Higher, dives into his fascinating journey of listening to every #1 song on the Billboard Hot 100. He reveals how this project evolved from a personal habit into a complex dataset that uncovers unexpected cultural trends, like the prevalence of teenage tragedy songs. Chris also discusses the challenges of data creation, the importance of technology in music evolution, and the intricate details behind chart manipulation and genre exploration.

Chris Dalla Riva, a data analyst, musician, and author, explores the intersections of music and data in his captivating discussion. He reveals why the late 1950s were dominated by teenage tragedy hits and the surprising connection to youth culture. Discover how the Beatles transformed popular music and why so many early chart-toppers were covers. Dalla Riva also dives into the impact of streaming on artist visibility and the challenges of AI-generated music. Get ready for a fresh perspective on what numbers tell us about our favorite hits!