How I Went Viral and Why Songwriters Love Wine
So NPR reached out to interview me because I had a nerdy article about key changes. I'm still in shock.
A few weeks ago, I wrote an article about how popular songs these days don't have key changes. And this thing has taken on a life of its. It's gone viral on Twitter and been included in tons of newsletter. In fact, NPR is interviewing me about it on Friday, November 25. It's been bizarre and exciting. So I wanted to say ...
Thank You for Reading
I have a big dataset of the lyrics in every number one hit. When you search through those lyrics, you find some interesting stuff. For example, because today is Thanksgiving in the United States, I searched for the word "thanks". 30 number one hits contain some variant of the word. But while going on my "thank-ful" search, I came across some other interesting, Thanksgiving-ish stuff:
"America" is the country most frequently featured in the lyrics of a number one. The second most frequent is "China", with 7 mentions. That said, "China" isn't gaining ground. "America" has found its way into 4 songs since the millennium, China hasn't gotten a mention since 1998.
Speaking of places, "New York" is found in the lyrics of 14 number ones. That said, it's never been featured in a title. Only three states have: California, Georgia, and Kansas.
"Love" has appeared in significantly more number one hits than "hate", but the latter has been on the rise in the last few decades.
If you imbibe at your Thanksgiving feast, remember that "beer" was not directly mentioned in a number one until Kesha's 2010 hit “Tik Tok”. It hasn't been mentioned since. "Cocktails" and "whiskey" have been mentioned 3 times, respectively. "Bourbon" once. "Wine", by contrast, has been mentioned in 22 number ones. Maybe something about wine is just more poetic than beer. I am a beer-lover but have never mentioned it in one of my songs. "Wine" has gotten two mentions in my small discography, though.
While you sit down for your Thanksgiving feast, note that "dinner" is the most common meal mentioned in a number one song, with 4 mentions. "Breakfast" has 2 mentions. "Lunch" has 0.
Desserts come up in a few number ones. "Ice cream" and "popsicles" appear only once each. Oddly, both songs involve Snoop Dogg. "Chocolate" appears in 4. "Pie" appears in 8. But "cake" takes the cake, appearing in 10 number ones. That said, many of the post-2000s "cakes" are euphemisms for the gluteus maximus.
A New One
"sipping my tea" by Zack Fox
2022 - Hip-Hop
Zack Fox's music career began outside of music. He ran a viral Twitter account where he posted jokes. He then pivoted to music. But don't let that make you think Fox isn't skilled. He's actually quite a good rapper. That said, the humor from his internet years still seeps into his music.
Like much of the rest of his discography, “sipping my tea is” short, lackadaisical, and funny. The artwork on his songs is much the same. In fact, it looks like Fox took the photo with his phone 15-minutes before uploading the song. Sometimes it pays not to take yourself too seriously.
An Old One
"2120 South Michigan Avenue" by The Rolling Stones
1964 - Instrumental Rock
When you spent your youth listening to as much classic rock as I did, you sometimes think there's nothing left to discover, especially by a band that would be on the genre's Mt. Rushmore. But great bands continue to keep you intrigued long after you start listening to them.
“2120 South Michigan Avenue” piqued my interest last week. It's a song from a bygone era. Obviously, a song from 1964 is bygone, but even by 1964's standards, a rock instrumental like this was sorta bygone. That wasn't always the case, though. Rock n' roll was partially built by singer-less songs. Your “Miserlous” and Green Onions and Tequilas and Rebel-Rousers. Given the prevalence of singers over the last 60 years, it's good to remember that they aren't always necessary. Sometimes a strong groove and memorable solo is all you need.
Happy Thanksgiving,
Chris Dalla Riva
Want to hear the music that I make? Check out my new EP.
Want to listen to more of my recent favorites? Listen to & favorite this playlist.