Is Spotify Killing the Top 40? • Hacker News Board

Re: Is Spotify Killing the Top 40?

#261

Post by chriselles » Wed, Sep 09, 2020, 3:39 AM UTC

dredmorbius wrote: post #75

chriselles wrote: post #67

Has Zipf’s Law ever applied to the distribution of music consumption? When shaped by industry, algorithm, or serendipity?

Yes, strongly. The influence of hitmakers and gatekeepers adjusts what makes the curve, and shifts it somewhat, but the overal outlines of any informational domain will be governed by Zipf.

I thought so.....but it's always good to hear validated or contrarian thought on the topic.

Maybe I'm just in a self-created confirmation bias loop or force fitting, but I'm noticing what appears to be Zipf's Law all around me since I've become aware of it.

Re: Is Spotify Killing the Top 40?

#262

Post by menybuvico » Wed, Sep 09, 2020, 7:41 AM UTC

blaser-waffle wrote: post #229

swiley wrote: post #137

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don’t think conspiracies have to be secret.

Yes, they do. Like, that's literally the definition of "conspiracy" . noun a secret plan by a group to do something unlawful or harmful. "a conspiracy to destroy the government"

Precisely! "Conspiracy" requires a secretive element, whereas the media conglomerates are quite open with their goals to make everyone consume more media in order for them to make more money.

Re: Is Spotify Killing the Top 40?

#263

Post by menybuvico » Wed, Sep 09, 2020, 7:49 AM UTC

goto11 wrote: post #138

menybuvico wrote: post #76

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I got curious and listened to it, and after listening to that load of rubbish, I simply don't feel connected with society anymore. Do people actually listen to this and like it, or is it just the perceived shock value that counts?

Did you know the original version of "Tutti Frutti" (Little Richard, 1955) was about anal sex? ("If it don't fit, don't force it / You can grease it, make it easy") If you are appalled by that, fair enough. It is not something particularly new though. Of course people at the time also saw Rock'n'roll as bringing the end of civilized society. The furor caused by WAP is pretty hilarious to see.

People have been making sexual references in song lyrics since the dawn of time, and that's perfectly fine.

As mentioned in a sibling comment, it's not the explicit lyrics but the extremely low quality of the entire production that puts me off.

Re: Is Spotify Killing the Top 40?

#264

Post by goto11 » Wed, Sep 09, 2020, 8:36 AM UTC

paul_f wrote: post #252

goto11 wrote: post #211

Earlier quoted context omitted.

And in the 80s, 90s and early 00s people were complaining that music was just better in prior decades.

The Beatles were the biggest pop act in history. They'd never crack the top-40 today.

You mean with their music and image from the 1960's? Of course not. Just like they wouldn't have dominated the charts in the 60's if the music and image had been in the style that had been fashionable and edgy in 1910.

Re: Is Spotify Killing the Top 40?

#265

Post by goto11 » Wed, Sep 09, 2020, 12:28 PM UTC

menybuvico wrote: post #263

goto11 wrote: post #138

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Did you know the original version of "Tutti Frutti" (Little Richard, 1955) was about anal sex? ("If it don't fit, don't force it / You can grease it, make it easy") If you are appalled by that, fair enough. It is not something particularly new though. Of course people at the time also saw Rock'n'roll as bringing the end of civilized society. The furor caused by WAP is pretty hilarious to see.

People have been making sexual references in song lyrics since the dawn of time, and that's perfectly fine. As mentioned in a sibling comment, it's not the explicit lyrics but the extremely low quality of the entire production that puts me off.

If so, can you articulate how it is "extremely low quality" compared to others songs in the same genre?

Re: Is Spotify Killing the Top 40?

#266

Post by menybuvico » Thu, Sep 10, 2020, 9:56 AM UTC

goto11 wrote: post #265

menybuvico wrote: post #263

Earlier quoted context omitted.

People have been making sexual references in song lyrics since the dawn of time, and that's perfectly fine. As mentioned in a sibling comment, it's not the explicit lyrics but the extremely low quality of the entire production that puts me off.

If so, can you articulate how it is "extremely low quality" compared to others songs in the same genre?

Too much profanities stuffed in, to such an extent that the desire to provoke takes up any space that could have been used for some kind of artistic expression. Or something. The track is simply a waste of time.