Is music getting faster? 6 Minute English

⏲️ 6 Minute English - Vocabulary & listening

17 Jan 201906:15

Summary

TLDRIn this episode of 6 Minute English, hosts Neil and Rob explore the impact of music streaming on song composition, particularly the trend of songs becoming faster. They discuss how modern technology and platforms like Spotify influence music production, with a focus on the need for immediate listener engagement. The conversation includes insights from music producer Brendan Williams and a quiz question about Luis Fonsi's hit song 'Despacito', which became the most streamed song ever in 2017, reaching 4.6 billion streams.

Takeaways

🎵 Rob and Neil discuss the impact of streaming on music, suggesting that songs are becoming faster to adapt to modern listening habits.
📈 Streaming platforms like Spotify influence song structure, with tracks needing to engage listeners within the first 30 seconds to register a play.
🎶 The disappearance of long instrumental introductions in pop songs is noted, as they need to quickly present vocals and choruses to keep listeners engaged.
📉 Radio playlists are highlighted as a significant factor in determining the commercial success of a song, influencing how music is produced.
🎧 Neil prefers streaming music over traditional methods like CDs, appreciating the convenience and accessibility of online music platforms.
🏆 Luis Fonsi's 'Despacito' holds the record for the most streamed song of all time, with an astonishing 4.6 billion streams.
🔊 The importance of a song being 'catchy' is emphasized, as it needs to quickly attract and retain listeners' attention to be successful.
📲 The discussion touches on how technology and streaming services have changed the way music is consumed and produced.
🎤 Brendan Williams, a music producer, explains that songs are crafted to fit radio playlists and streaming algorithms to maximize their reach and profitability.
💿 The shift from physical media to digital streaming is discussed, with the latter offering a more convenient and immediate way to enjoy music.

Q & A

What is the main topic of discussion in this episode of 6 Minute English?
-The main topic of discussion is the idea that songs are becoming faster due to the influence of music streaming services.
What type of music does Rob prefer and why?
-Rob prefers rock music because it has good vocals and is loud.
What does Neil prefer about streaming music over traditional methods like buying CDs?
-Neil prefers streaming music because it's easier to play and can be accessed anywhere without the need for physical CDs.
What is the significance of Luis Fonsi's song 'Despacito' in the context of this discussion?
-Luis Fonsi's 'Despacito' is significant because it became the most streamed song of all time, highlighting the impact of streaming on music consumption.
What is the correct answer to the quiz question about how many times 'Despacito' was streamed?
-The correct answer is c) 4.6 billion times.
Why are long instrumental introductions to pop songs becoming less common?
-Long instrumental introductions are becoming less common because streaming services like Spotify require a song to be played for at least 30 seconds to register a play, so producers aim to get to the vocals and chorus quickly to keep listeners engaged.
What role do radio playlists play in the success of a song according to Brendan Williams?
-Radio playlists are extremely important factors in judging the success of a track and they feed into the commercial success of a song.
What does the term 'catchy' mean in the context of this discussion?
-In the context of this discussion, 'catchy' means something that attracts attention and is easy to remember, often referring to a song that is appealing and memorable.
What does it mean for a song to 'register a play' on streaming services?
-For a song to 'register a play' on streaming services, it needs to be played for at least 30 seconds, after which it is recorded as a play and can contribute to the song's commercial success.
How can listeners download and stream content from 6 Minute English?
-Listeners can download and stream content from 6 Minute English by visiting their website at bbclearningenglish.com or by downloading their app for free.
What is the term used to describe a list of songs that a radio station plans to play?
-The term used to describe a list of songs that a radio station plans to play is 'playlist'.

Outlines

00:00

🎵 Music Streaming and Song Tempo

In this segment of '6 Minute English', hosts Neil and Rob introduce the topic of music and the perceived increase in tempo of songs due to the advent of music streaming. They discuss their personal music preferences, with Rob favoring rock music for its powerful vocals and loudness, while Neil enjoys the convenience of streaming music without the need for physical CDs. The conversation shifts to the impact of streaming services on music production, suggesting that the way people consume music might be influencing the creation of faster-paced songs. The hosts pose a quiz question about Luis Fonsi's hit 'Despacito', which became the most streamed song ever in 2017, and hint at the influence of radio playlists and streaming algorithms on the structure of modern pop songs, particularly the reduction of long instrumental introductions to capture listeners' attention quickly.

05:00

📈 The Dynamics of Music Success

This paragraph delves deeper into the factors contributing to a song's success in the music industry. The hosts discuss the significance of being featured on radio playlists, which are crucial for a song's commercial success. They explain the term 'track' as a recorded piece of music and use 'driving' to describe the strong influence radio and streaming services have on music trends. The conversation highlights how streaming services like Spotify require a song to be played for at least 30 seconds to register as a play, emphasizing the need for songs to engage listeners quickly to increase their play count and revenue. The hosts also touch upon the importance of creating catchy songs that can hook listeners and make them continue listening, using Pharrell Williams' 'Happy' as an example. The segment concludes with a correction to the quiz question, revealing that 'Despacito' was streamed an astonishing 4.6 billion times, and a recap of the vocabulary related to music streaming, commercial success, and the music industry's terminology.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Streaming

Streaming refers to the activity of listening to or watching music, radio, or videos directly from the internet as a continuous stream. In the context of the video, streaming is a significant topic as it discusses how this technology is influencing the way music is produced and consumed. The script mentions that streaming services like Spotify have changed the way songs are structured, with a focus on capturing listeners' attention quickly to ensure they continue to stream a song past the 30-second mark.

💡Commercial success

Commercial success is a term used to describe something that is both popular and profitable, such as a hit song or a successful product. In the video, the concept is tied to the necessity for songs to not only be enjoyed by many but also to generate revenue. The discussion highlights how the structure of music is influenced by the need for commercial success, with producers aiming to create tracks that will be played on radio playlists and streamed extensively.

💡Playlist

A playlist is a curated list of songs that a radio station plans to play or that an individual compiles on a streaming service. The video emphasizes the importance of radio playlists in determining the commercial success of a song, as they are a key factor in a track's exposure and popularity. The term is also used to describe personal collections of songs on streaming platforms, which can influence what listeners choose to stream.

💡Driving

In the context of the video, 'driving' is used to describe something that has a strong influence or impact. The script mentions that radio playlists are 'driving' factors in the success of a track, indicating that they play a crucial role in determining which songs become popular and commercially successful.

💡Track

A track, in the music industry, refers to a recorded piece of music, typically a song. The video uses this term to discuss the production and success of songs, particularly in the context of radio playlists and streaming services. It highlights how tracks need to be crafted to meet the requirements of these platforms to achieve commercial success.

💡Intro

An 'intro' is the instrumental piece of music that is played before the singing begins in a song. The video notes that intros have become almost extinct in modern pop music due to the influence of streaming services, which prioritize getting to the vocal and lyrical content quickly to retain listeners' attention.

💡Lyrical content

Lyrical content refers to the words or lyrics of a song. The video discusses the trend of presenting the lyrical content more quickly in songs to engage listeners and encourage them to continue streaming past the initial 30 seconds, which is a requirement for a play to be registered on platforms like Spotify.

💡Chorus

The chorus is a recurring part of a song that typically contains the main theme or 'hook' of the song. In the video, the chorus is mentioned as an essential element that needs to be reached quickly in a song to keep listeners engaged and to meet the streaming criteria for registering a play.

💡Catchy

A 'catchy' song is one that is attractive and easy to remember, often due to its melody or repetitive nature. The video uses the term to describe songs that are designed to quickly hook listeners and make them want to continue listening or singing along, which is important for a song's success on streaming platforms.

💡Register

To 'register' something means to record, count, or measure it. In the context of the video, if a song isn't streamed for more than 30 seconds, it doesn't 'register' a play, meaning it isn't counted or measured as a play on streaming platforms. This term is crucial as it relates to how songs are monetized on these services.

Highlights

Introduction to the topic: music is becoming faster, with a shift in how songs are produced due to streaming platforms.

Rob and Neil share their personal preferences for rock music and streaming.

Streaming allows users to listen to music directly from the internet, bypassing traditional physical formats like CDs.

Streaming services may influence the way songs are written, potentially leading to faster, more concise tracks.

In 2017, Luis Fonsi's 'Despacito' became the most streamed song of all time, with 4.6 billion streams.

Researchers have found that long instrumental intros to pop songs are almost extinct.

Brendan Williams, a music producer, explains that radio playlists are key drivers of a song’s success.

The term 'driving' is used to describe a strong influence in song production.

Radio playlists impact the commercial success of a song, and songs need to be designed to fit these formats.

Streaming services like Spotify only register a 'play' if a song is listened to for at least 30 seconds.

The need to hook listeners quickly has shortened song intros, focusing on vocals and catchy choruses.

DJs used to talk over long instrumental intros, but now vocals need to begin immediately to engage listeners.

A 'track' refers to a recorded piece of music, and the 'lyrical content' of a song is its lyrics.

The concept of a 'catchy' song is one that grabs attention quickly and is easy to remember.

A playlist refers to a curated list of songs, either by radio stations or individuals on streaming platforms.