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Decoding the Algorithm for Pop Music

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the where-math-money-and-music-mesh dept.

fb4f writes "Over at Modplug, they have an article describing a mathematical algorithm to predict if a given song will become a hit or not. Paraphrasing the article, a Spanish company called Polyphonic HMI has made a business out of analyzing song submissions and predicting their "hitability". Here's their description of the algorithm and here's their FAQ. They claim to have predicted the commercial success of Norah Jones through this method. Here's my question (which is not fully answered in their FAQ): if they (music company executives) are currently using the algorithm to screen submissions for their "hitability", can we (people who listen to music) use the same algorithm to reject recycled tunes and encourage originality? I for one, still like the fresh talent and community feel of the tracking scene."

19 of 353 comments (clear)

  1. Karma Hit by Aliencow · · Score: 5, Funny

    Someone should make an algo to calculate which Slashdot comments will be moderated up to 5. Should be pretty easy...as long as you bash SCO!

    1. Re:Karma Hit by teamhasnoi · · Score: 5, Funny
      Someone should make an algo to calculate which Slashdot comments will be moderated up to 5. Should be pretty easy...as long as you bash SCO!

      It's tough to come up with an algorythm for slasdot moderations. SCO bashing will not guarrentee anything. In fact, I used some software similar to that mentioned in this article, and determined that this comment will be modded +5.

      SCO RULES!
      Bill Gates is your friend.
      I enjoy RFID!
      I can't get enough of that Jon Katz!
      Linux is for little girls.
      Look at my newest casemod! I put a flashlight in there!
      Hilary Rosen is a super-fox!
      I peed in your coffee.
      The Simpsons/Matrix/Starwars/LordoftheRings totally sucks.
      DRM is the answer to everything!
      I just patented food!

      These comments alone would not gain a +5, however, the self-referencial nature of this comment will.

      Granted, this software is still in beta.

    2. Re:Karma Hit by aktbar · · Score: 2, Funny

      These comments alone would not gain a +5, however, the self-referencial nature of this comment will.

      Was the spelling mistake part of the self-referential nature of the comment?

  2. My Pop Music Algorithm by anaphora · · Score: 5, Funny

    If Singer.Belly.isShown() then mod.singer.+1sexy
    If Singer.Voice.isScreaming() then mod.singer.+1punkfav
    If Singer.Gender.isMale() then mod.singer.+1prepubescentgirls
    If Singer.Label.isRIAA() then mod.singer.+1popular
    If Singer.Style.isOriginal() then mod.singer.-1original

    1. Re:My Pop Music Algorithm by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      Mmmm ... prepubescent girls.

  3. Who? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny
    They claim to have predicted the commercial success of Norah Jones through this method.

    Who?

  4. Sounds like the formula for movie success by Lupulack · · Score: 5, Funny

    40% Action
    30% Comedy
    30% Romance
    0% Madonna

    ( with credit to Jay Leno )

    --
    The fact that no one understands you doesn't mean you're an artist.
  5. Star success? by saintlupus · · Score: 3, Funny

    They claim to have predicted the commercial success of Norah Jones through this method.

    Am I the only one wondering who the hell Norah Jones is?

    You damn kids and your pop music. I think I'm going to have to dodder out on the porch and yell at the neighbors' kids for playing on my lawn.

    --saint

    1. Re:Star success? by GigsVT · · Score: 2, Funny

      But who are "The Beatles"? :)

      --
      I've had enough abrasive sigs. Kittens are cute and fuzzy.
    2. Re:Star success? by Alsee · · Score: 2, Funny

      Who is "the Sitar"?

      -

      --
      - - You can't take something off the Internet! That's like trying to take pee out of a swimming pool.
    3. Re:Star success? by 0x0d0a · · Score: 2, Funny

      In summary, this "Norah Jones" person is significant because she's the until-recently-estranged daughter of a musician that introduced the sitar to a band that contained Yoko's husband.

      --
      May we never see th
  6. Mod parent up by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    Its strangely insightful. I hate bland manufacturised pop music. It's music for the sheeple. I prefer real music from real bands, like Limp Bizkit and Korn and shit like that. Music for us truely individual people who are outcast from society for daring to be different, for refusing to conform, for sticking a finger up to The Man.

  7. Um... by cjpez · · Score: 4, Funny
    They claim to have predicted the commercial success of Norah Jones through this method.
    Who?
    --
    Al Qaeda has ninjas!
  8. A quote: by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    "Nu-metal is great for 12-year-olds who want to be individual together."

  9. Re:tracking scene? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    And I, for one, welcome our new welcoming our new overlords overlords

  10. Re:Not new by jrc313 · · Score: 2, Funny

    if every music label used this, they'd keep feeding us the same music over and over...

    So - looks like it's been working for quite a while then.

  11. Same here... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    I am suffering from the same problem with my secret "coin-tossing" algorithm. However, I'm sure with just a bit of tweaking, it'll be ready to include in my forthcoming StokPredicta+(TM) software, which I can advertise for free over the internet! Though if I can't get it working, I may need to use yours. I'll cut you in on some of the cash - don't worry about that!

  12. Re:And my question ... by wcbarksdale · · Score: 3, Funny
    Sure, here's a sample run:
    It was only an 'opeless fancy.
    It passed like an Ipril dye,
    But a look an' a word an' the dreams they stirred!
    They 'ave stolen my 'eart awye!
  13. DaVinci's Notebook - Title of the Song by Threed · · Score: 5, Funny

    TITLE OF THE SONG - DaVinci's Notebook

    Declaration of my feelings for you
    Elaboration on those feelings
    Description of how long these feelings have existed
    Belief that no one else could feel the same as I

    Reminiscence of the pleasant times we've shared
    And our relationship's perfection
    Recounting of the steps that lead to our love's dissillusion
    Mostly involving my unfaithfulness and lies

    Penitent admission of wrongdoing
    Discovery of the depth of my affection
    Regret over the lateness of my epiphany

    CHORUS:
    Title of the song
    Naive expression of love
    Reluctance to accept that you are gone
    Request to turn back time
    And rectify my wrongs
    Repetition of the title of the song

    Enumeration of my various transgressive actions
    Of insufficient motivation
    Realization that these actions led to your departure
    And my resultant lack of sleep and appetite

    Renunciation of my past insensitive behavior
    Promise of my reformation
    Reassurance that you still are foremeost in my thoughts, now,
    Need for instructions how to gain your trust again

    Request for reconciliation
    Listing of the numerouss tasks that I'd perform
    Of physical and emotional compensation

    CHORUS

    Acknowledgement that I acted foolishly
    Increasingly desparate pleas for your return
    Sorrow for my infidelity
    Vain hope that my sins are forgivable
    Appeal for one more opportunity
    Drop to my knees to elecit crowd response
    Prayers to my chosen deity
    Modulation and I hold a high note...

    CHORUS