| | | |
Slimdog Productions
|
1/30/2008 9:15:07 PM
Would you rather have 1 #1 hit or 10 top 20 songs in your career if you were a major artist?
I have always said that it would be nice to hit that #1, but I would rather have the 10 top 20 songs in my career. It would show some consistency in my music and I wouldn't be known as a "one hit wonder". What would you all take?
|
|
RedRobin
|
1/30/2008 11:46:45 PM
....That's an interesting scenario. The #1 would give you truckloads of money which you could do what you want with. But, creatively, I agree that the music consistency would be very satisfying, and in fact, would still give you money - 20 x Top20 = At least 1 truckload.
The guy I often record with had a worldwide #1 - "In The Summertime" Mungo Jerry. It wasn't planned but just happened as a result of circumstances - Literally being in the right place at the right time and in a hot summer!
The album we've just completed together wasn't planned either - We were just mucking about enjoying playing, thought "this sounds alright!" and flicked the switches. 11 songs and 1 year later we've got our "Either Side Of Now" album which reminds me that I ought to spend more time promoting it rather than spend time writing on blogs!
|
|
srm
|
1/31/2008 12:21:30 AM
Personally, I'd prefer to have a spate of tunes in the top 20. Catalogues are 'littered' with "one hit wonders", and they tend to be footnotes in musical history. An artist or group that has hit the "Top 20" several times seem to have more of a permanence that suggests a regular and loyal following. Having one big hit just means that the artist maybe 'got lucky'.
|
|
Tony Vani and Debbie Hoskin
|
1/31/2008 4:37:45 AM
I'd take the longevity.............20 songs in the top 20..... as opposed to being a one hit wonder. deb
Would you like a week with the perfect woman? Or would you like 20 years with a great woman?
|
|
srm
|
1/31/2008 4:48:03 AM
At this point, I'd probably settle for a week with a halfway decent woman (or even a halfway indecent woman).
|
|
RedRobin
|
1/31/2008 4:48:44 AM
"Would you like a week with the perfect woman? Or would you like 20 years with a great woman?"
....Err, a week with the perfect woman! That's a no-brainer. One such week per year would be ideal :).
|
|
Maria Daines
|
1/31/2008 5:05:25 AM
Oh what a lovely choice to make!! Definitely more songs in the charts rather than one big hit, the problem with having a single hit is that you are typecast forever after and if you write songs in several styles maybe those would never be heard, it's difficult to make your mark when you have songs in lots of genres but you can only follow your inspiration and believe in what you do. Good topic :)
|
|
Andy Broad
|
1/31/2008 5:15:38 AM
I'd definateley go for the ten in the top twenty option. Lot's of hits is better than one for sure. I'd settle for getting into the top 25 in the blues genre chart on IAC at the moment though :-)
|
|
Larry Migliore
|
1/31/2008 5:19:48 AM
Absolutely 10 songs in the Top 20
You're only as good as your last record or last movie, or what have you done for me lately?
This gives you staying power with your fans. The fact that you've been on the charts 10 times would actually make you a household name anyway.
I'd actually like that.
Does the name Walter Eagan ring a bell with "Magnet And Steel"? One Hit Wonder, but I loved that tune.
|
|
No Rhythm
|
1/31/2008 5:55:02 AM
I'm with Larree.....even one in the top twenty would be nice.
|
|
Maria Daines
|
1/31/2008 6:04:56 AM
I agree with Guitar Atheist, it seems having any degree of commercial success opens doors or door, & enables you to do more of what you want with your music which can only bring immense joy LOL!!
|
|
Duane Flock
|
1/31/2008 6:14:56 AM
The more the merrier. Absolutely 10 in the top 20. Hell I wouldn't mind 1 in the top 20 here!
|
|
Maria Daines
|
1/31/2008 6:48:28 AM
I agree, although the charts are not everything they do give you an idea of which songs are getting played and which are more popular and it's a nice pat on the back to find a song climbing up to the light now & then, on the other hand it can be a bit deflating if you think you have a great song and it never charts but then you have to remind yourself just how much competition there is, it's mind boggling & some people really have their promotional act together, sometimes a song hits at just the right social climate etc., etc., it's a magnificent gamble whether indie or mainstream. In the corporate label arena big money is available to promote and that's how some awful songs still make it but I think it's difficult to find success on any level today and to maintain it.
|
|
The Man With No Band
|
1/31/2008 9:30:01 AM
Hard choice ... I would be more than satisfied either way ... Longetivity is nice but just having one of my songs listened to and enjoyed means the journey was worth it ...
Red Robin ... I have Mungo Jerry's first Album (on Vinyl .. :) ) .... Your friend you record with (Ray ?) should feel mighty good ... "In The Summertime" is one of those rare tunes that comes along and changes people ... I remember smiling the first time I heard it and I've been smiling ever since.
...and I think that is worth as much as 100 top 20 songs ....
|
|
Hugh Hamilton
|
1/31/2008 9:48:24 AM
DogDood! We ARE major artists! It's just that only a handful of us have realized it!!
xxoo,
HH
|
|
Pulse Eternal
|
1/31/2008 9:53:13 AM
GREAT post Hugh!!!!
As far as the question goes, add another for the multiple top20's rather than a single #1.
SuperPuss
 
=^.^=
|
|
Auset
|
1/31/2008 12:40:12 PM
nice one Hugh!!!! I'm one to better appreciate the alternative route... "Jimi Hendrix, Frank Zappa, Lou Reed, Radiohead, Phish, Janis Joplin, The Grateful Dead, Iggy Pop, Faith No More, Siouxsie and the Banshees, The Church, and System of a Down each had only one Billboard Top 40 hit but are rarely, if ever, considered one-hit wonders. These performers are known for other successes, such as album or concert ticket sales, critical acclaim, strong fan followings, or influence on other musicians. Jancik, however, includes many of these artists, as they fall within his strict definition as a single act with a single top-40 placement. These types of artists also do not target pop charts, rather, they target alternative groups."
that's more my speed.
|
|
SILVERWOODSTUDIO
|
1/31/2008 2:00:11 PM
#1s make more impression than a stack of #2s (I think)
I would go for that ------and then another #1 to follow----
we had a #2 on comedy "Clarified Butter" and it was sssooo frustrating ------
Lyin' Dan just kept us out with his song-----go Dan!!!
|
|
Slimdog Productions
|
1/31/2008 2:07:37 PM
I didn't think I would get such a great response to this topic...Thanks all for replying!!! That is the problem right now with the Hip Hop Genre. These young cats, just go by the "cookie-cutter" model that's in commercial Hip Hop. They get their #1, make their millions, get out or try to make another #1 sounding like their last. There's NO variety and no good subject matter(where's the political talk in Hip Hop) like there was in the 80's & early 90's. You always used to hear from a Plublic Enemy or A Tribe Called Quest. You know that they put out great music with a message and they were always at the top of the charts, if not #1.
|
|
Slimdog Productions
|
1/31/2008 2:09:39 PM
I meant: Public Enemy...sorry guys.
|
|
Maria Daines
|
1/31/2008 3:42:34 PM
Good job you didn't say Pubic Enemy Slimdog LOL!! Thanks for this great topic & I agree with Auset, some excellent points made & bands. To be considered interesting to people because they identify with your music is by far the better prize for sure :)
|
|
Ben Elliot
|
1/31/2008 3:48:09 PM
Just a question, but can you be considered a 'major artist' if you have only had a #1 hit single. I would have thought that you would only be seen as 'major' once you have had a number of top 20 hits.
|
|
Slimdog Productions
|
1/31/2008 3:55:34 PM
I would say this: The artist is signed to a major label and hit #1 on what is considered a major chart, so I guess according to those criteria, he/she/they are a major artist. In Hip Hop that is what's happening. Consistency isn't even considered.
|
|
Stegor
|
1/31/2008 5:24:38 PM
This is an interesting question. I have never been drawn to artists with chart success, except in albums. The bands I love never have hit singles. If they do it's sort of a fluke. So in order to have 10 songs in the top 20 I would have to completely sell out, or the world's population would have to suddenly change their taste in music to conform to me.
On the other hand, when I think of all the one hit wonders, I can't think of any I don't like! Songs like Venus by The Shocking Blue, Judy in Disguise by who knows who, You Know What I Mean by Lee Michaels (discussed recently o another blog)... come to mind immediately.
So - I want one fluke hit single and tons and tons of really really excellent underappreciated masterpieces!
|
|
Black Velvet Lace
|
1/31/2008 6:44:12 PM
Good question. I'll take.. either!!! :P
~Lace~
|
|
fly on the wall
|
1/31/2008 6:49:31 PM
This question really doesn't apply to me because it's a little known fact that I was the 5th BeeGee.
|
|
Bob Elliott
|
1/31/2008 6:53:16 PM
To me, the thing is one person really into my music is huge, and another is huge, and that's all there is, even if it's thousands or hundreds or less. If it is something deep for them, then that's cool because whether it's a lot of people or a little, it's still one to one at the time they are digging it. See?
|
|
|
1/31/2008 10:56:11 PM
On a smaller scale I had lots of indie hits but it never meant much til my foist #1.
|
|
| |
�2015-16 IndieMusicPeople.com All Rights
Reserved
| |