Formula of hit songs
BBC has a series of documentary called "Seven Ages of Rock" It is an overview of rock music scene from 1963 to 2007. Watching this program probably makes you analytical and I suddenly had a view of the formula of hit songs.
#1 comfort of similarity to ordinary life
#2 represented realization of inner desire
#3 sympathy for your existence and inner feeling of isolation, alienation, and frustration in life
When life filled with uncertainity #2 looks attractive. This can be broken down to...
#2A miraculous glamorous life
#2B destructive thug life
Here are some examples (sorry about old references) :
#1: John Denver, Bananarama
#2A: Motley Crue
#2B: many gangsta raps
#3: Metallica, Nirvarna
Now I am wondering same formula can be used to make hit content in other type of media....

This formula is really good. I am going to direct a song and i think this formula is very helpful for me.
Posted by: vicky | March 19, 2010 at 06:10 AM
I have my Pizzicato Five hat on as I say: very cool breakdown, Gohsuke-san :-)
Posted by: Terrintokyo | July 18, 2010 at 10:04 PM
Bananarama! Hahaha, I love that one. The formula definitely looks interesting, thats for sure.
Posted by: vintage clothing | April 03, 2012 at 05:58 PM