The Magic Formula

Researchers at Goldsmiths University in London have recently published a study they conducted on the "catchy-ness" of certain songs. In their study researchers observed how volunteers reacted when asked to sing along to different songs, and found out that long and detailed musical phrases, multiple pitch changes in the main hook, a male vocalist, and preferably a high pitched male vocalist, all helped make songs catchy. 

Goldsmiths music psychologist Dr Daniel Mullensiefen says "Every musical hit is reliant on maths, science, engineering and technology; from the physics and frequencies of sound that determine pitch and harmony, to the hi-tech digital processors and synthesizers which can add effects to make a song more catchy". 

Of the songs they tested, the top 5 catchiest songs were:

1. "We Are The Champions" - Queen
2. "Y.M.C.A." - The Village People
3. "Fat Lip" - Sum 41
4. "The Final Countdown" - Europe
5. "Monster" - The Automatic

All pretty catchy songs you'd have to agree. I wonder will it lead to finding the magic formula for creating a hit song?

Johnny Bottles has been conducting his own research though and I think I might have cracked it. It's all in the opening guitar riff. Do what you like after that but if you get the start right then you're sorted. 

What guitar riff you ask? Ah, well have a listen to the start of these four songs then get writing!!

"Bohemian Like You" - The Dandy Warhols

 

"Little Bitch" - The Specials

"Brown Sugar" - The Rolling Stones

"Strutter" - Kiss

Top 5 Bass Playing Lead Singers

#1

Sting (The Police)

His mother christened him Gordon Matthew Thomas Sumner but we call him Sting. He got the name "Sting" from a member of one of the many jazz bands he played with in his pre-Police days. One day Sting came to a rehearsal in a black and yellow striped top which led to him being called "Stinger" - which eventually became "Sting." He was a ditch digger, a bus conductor and an English teacher before being invited to join The Police by Stewart Copeland. He's been known to play a fretless bass on occasion but is also the proud owner of a 150 year old upright bass.

#2

Paul McCartney (The Beatles)

Easily the most famous bass player on the list, if not the world, Paul shared lead vocals in The Beatles with John Lennon. It's doubtful that any non-guitar players would have heard of Hofner if it wasn't for his signature use of their 500/1 violin bass which has since become known as a "Beatle Bass". 

#3

Gene Simmons (Kiss)

Kiss's music never was or never will be as famous as their image. Four fully grown men dressed in studded leather and platform shoes with their faces painted to varying degrees of campness (their copyrighted makeup designs include The Starchild and The Catman). So what could Gene Simmons do to counter-balance this effeminacy? He had fake blood pouring out of his mouth and played a bass guitar that was in the shape of a huge axe!

#4

Lemmy (Motorhead)

Facial warts? Mutton chops? Huge Nazi memorabilia collection? Apparently none of these things have stopped Lemmy from sleeping with over 2000 women. As far as I can tell, the trick seems to be playing your bass guitar at the loudest possible levels through your amps which you have named "No Remorse", "Killer" and "Murder One".

#5

Phil Lynott (Thin Lizzy)

Have a listen to "Dancing In The Moonlight" below and try tell me that this man wasn't cool. This song completely encompasses everything that this list is about. When everything goes right, you can't get better than a bass-playing singer. In this song we hear one of the all time great opening basslines followed by absolutely perfect vocals. 

Michael Jackson Tribute Concert

"It is intended to be the biggest, and the best concert event in the world for many years to come." 

What's all this, a Live Aid for the 21st century? Not quite, but the above quote from Michael's mother Katherine might have you believe that we're in for something a bit special in the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff on the 8th October. Her announcement to organise a concert in celebration of her son Michael's life has caused a split in the Jackson clan with Jermaine and Randy against the whole idea, saying; 

“While we wholeheartedly support the spirit of a tribute that honours our brother, we find it impossible to support an event that is due to take place during the criminal trial surrounding Michael's death. As everyone knows, those proceedings commence September 20th, and this Michael Forever concert takes place in Cardiff, Wales, on 8 October. In light of this, we feel it is inappropriate to be involved with such an ill-timed event and its promoter, Global Live.”

It seems promising when you see some of the big names on the bill so far, Smokey Robinson, Christina Aguilera, and Cee Lo Green. But then things start going downhill. 

First there's a crowd of talent show contestants:  Leona Lewis, Alexandra Burke, JLS and Diversity. 

Next comes some of his relations: The Jackson Brothers (obviously not including Jermaine and Randy) and 3T (a band made up of three of Michael's nephews who had a couple of European hits in the mid 90's)

Pixie Lott and Craig David are in there too to make up the numbers, along with Alien Ant Farm, who I can only imagine got in there because they had a hit in 2001 with a cover of Smooth Criminal.

The line-up then received its most bizarre addition when it was announced that Kiss would also play at the concert. Bizarre because their bass player Gene Simmons had previously made these comments about Michael Jackson in an interview with Classic Rock Magazine:

"No matter what my fond memories and fond images of Michael were, with one allegation of paedophilia after another and another and another…Oh dear... The only sexual references ever made about Michael Jackson that were made by anyone, anywhere around the world, have always been made by kids, and specifically males usually 10 to 14 years of age; never females, that age or older, and never grown men."

Apparently, Kanye West has said he might add his name to the bill but Justin Bieber, Bruno Mars and Chris Brown have all turned down the opportunity to play. 

The concert is raising money for two charities, AIDS Project Los Angeles and The Prince's Trust. But a very odd ticketing structure seems to be putting many would-be buyers off. Seats start at £55 but if you want a seat near the front you must also make a donation to one of the charities. Your seat position will then be decided by how much you donated.

Hopefully this will live up to its billing as "the biggest, and the best concert event in the world for many years to come", if only out of respect to the memory of the King of Pop. Although something tells me that it might be promises of greatness but ultimately a massive anti-climax, just like the end of the great performer's life.