What makes a truly what All-Time hit song?

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adj2ent

DJ Extraordinaire
Oct 20, 2006
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There’s a movie coming out “Yesterday” Where a singer/songwriter is hit by a truck and wakes up in the world where no one‘s heard of the Beatles. But he remembers all of their songs and goes on to becomes a huge star Claiming to have wrote & performing their songs. The movie is not out yet and I have only seen the trailer but it looks really interesting. You better get ready to break out your Beetles’ tracks.

But it got me thinking what makes a song a truly all-time hit. Is it you hear the track so many times and/or told it is hit it so becomes a hit?

Is it also timing coming releasing it at just the right time?

Or is it something intrinsic in the melody and/or the lyrics?

Now, I don’t even try to break music and even back in the ’80s when I was on the radio & doing the college events. And in the ’90s with the corporate parties, I was just trying to play a diverse range of genres and tracks for my target market. I did, however, have a couple of tracks I remember playing first that I never heard before. They are Rich Girl by Louchie Lou & Michie One, Action by Terror Fabulous & Nadine Sutherland & I like to Move it by Reel 2 Reel. Interestingly, I still play those songs regularly and have been since the early 90s’.

I am going to run a few tests on my kids and see if they like songs which are major hits that they never heard and gauge their reactions.
 
Watched the trailer, yeah this will be a fun one to watch. Actually, I've been playing the Beatles consistently since I started DJing in 1978. It won't be anything new for me to drop a Beatles tune at an event.

I am uncertain what creates a hit song too. But I do like your three descriptions. And all three may very well apply for many songs to gain their highest acclaim for greatness.

While the Beatles could be my all time favorite band, I often wonder what it was about their sound that was so special. At this time their songs seem weak in comparison to todays hits, And although Lennon and McCartney are music writing geniuses and fantastic musicians, I would say, it was just the right time and right sound 50 years ago.
 
i think song writers and record companies have tried to figure out this equation for years in order to monopolize on it and have failed... The songs artists hate initially and only use as a b side have many times outshined the single and become the bigger hit... many artists make a hit and try and remake a similar song as a second release and fail.... many are just happy accidents... with no rhyme or reason for success...

For me... i think the only true proof of an all time hit song is... my ability to still listen after hearing it for years...

could i ever truly predict that from a new song on a promo cd? once in a blue moon... i can predict a floor filler....a club banger.... but will i want to hear it in 20 years....only time will ever be able to tell

cc
 
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I bought the Beatles Stereo Remastered Box set a few years ago, so I'm well stocked.
 
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