What Happened To USA Top 40? - Song Structure

Why are people switching from Top 40 to Country? Are people longing for the farm or trailer parks? I think not. Part of the problem could be as simple as the way top 40 music in America is being structured.

Enjoy!

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[foolsterinc]

I do agree with you on some of your points, but you just picked songs that portrayed your point and your point only. Also songs don't really need to follow the structure to be good. Also the songs you picked were not the best. Oh well this is your opinion. Finally not all artists are going down the crapper for example Linkin Park, Breaking Benjamin and Evanescence have their high points. Good video.

[briansredd]

I picked songs to demonstrate my point, but I didn't have to put too much thought into it.

You know, at first, I thought I was just getting old. Then, when I started traveling several years back, I realized that I usually liked what I heard on the radio in other parts of the world. Hence, my observation on USA Top 40 music.

[mamush]

hey brian...what u said on this vid is exactly what i've been thinkin for years..most of todays music is made using certain formulas that big companies have come up wit..i was born in 85 ba i stil see the quality of music deteriorate over time..rmmbr mariah careys songs in the early 90s were awsme but try reading the lyrics to any of her new songs....great videos btw cany u please do a video on ( phantom by jus†ice)its a sample of release the beast by breakwater

[briansredd]

That's the same sample Robot Rock uses. You probably knew that already.

A couple of weeks ago, I found Breakwater on 12" during a crate dig, but it was so scratched up I passed it up :(

[MasterDarkarbiter]

BTW the dates I'm mentioning are probably about the second phase (or maybe I'm wrong by a year or so... but anyway thats just an example).

I find it interesting you mention black eyed peas (older stuff) they're more kind of neo funk and certainly (were) unique so its not a terribly great example. You should check out some Liquid funk stuff... its a genre of drum n bass with funk breakbeats that often samples disco/funk stuff. Quite accessable for pop music listeners too.

[briansredd]

Did I mention Black Eyed Peas? hmm don't remember that. I did give Outkast as an example, though. It wasn't suppose to be a negative one.  I gave phrase to the B section but noted the lack of bridges between most verses and choruses.

[daveatx]

Brian, I agree 1000 percent....the typical pop "songs" that chart today just sound to me totally uninspired, emotion-less, structure-less, and forgettable. If I hear one more song about someone's "boo" or "shorties," I might just puke. Pop (and Rock) music is in serious need of a full-blown revolution to turn it on its ear, a la the way Nirvana did in the early 90's. While I'm thinking about it, whatever happened to lead guitar solos? Haven't heard a decent lead guitar solo in years.

[zcerveza]

I am used to calling your B section the Bridge, and calling your Bridge a Pre-Chorus.

So most songs would be like this with my terminology...

Verse

Pre- Chorus

Chorus

Verse

Pre- Chorus

Chorus

Bridge

Chorus

[ryonk]

I REALLY DIG WHAT U SAID AT THA END OF THA VIDEO TO. COMPARIN IT TO FOOD. WE ALL NEED A PROPER DIET OF MUSIC. BECAUSE IT DEFINITRLY FEEDS THA SOUL!

[WintersEndOfficial]

Name one song that starts with a chorus.

[WintersEndOfficial]

Dude...the ONLY reason I like country is because of the downhome twangy feel haha

[TheBlackJacksItalia]

actually the verses should be BEFORE the choruses

[cullyvan]

Hmm.. As you probably know Brian there is still LOTS of good music out there, probably more than there ever was (and I'm quite old). Pop Music has changed a lot since you and I were younger, its gone a lot more eclectic. Its no longer about little genres and if people are truly interested then they will find it.

Commercial radio stations are simply that. Its mostly soft rock , shit pop or hip hop or songs you have heard a million times before.

Ive got more to say but I'll come back.

[ImDavidGurney]

Affirmative action money and drug money ruined top 40.

[isamplex]

Oh yeah, you're right...what ?! This video is nearly 3 years old..? Hmm.

Still a good video - sympathic, clear speech, wonderful food metaphor. :)

Go on with these.. hmm, well, let's call it "your explenations", take politicians for example or daily TV, peoples behavior.. time for a new vid ;)

Greets from GER

[teamkillaman]

country blows!!!!!!!!!!

[djscottyc]

Couldnt agree with you more, i like the food metaphor, it explains it in a way that anybody could understand. I know this vid is old but the information holds true to today. I feel there is even more "candy in on the radio today, but hip hop seems to be taking a back seat for once and i am a EDM guy myself, alost everything on the radio has some form of a "dance" beat and im happy about that. Its interesting to see the ebb and flow of music evolution. Great Vid!

[GuitarMan3292]

@yoxy7112 Just because someone doesn't know music theory or chord names doesn't mean they cant make good music. Hendrix is the prime example.