There is definitely a ‘pop’ formula. There is a science to it. It’s mathematics. However, a Top 40 ‘hit song’ is very different from a ‘legendary artist,’ who may never see a chart position. A great artist is all about longevity and progressive evolution. A hit song is replaceable and generally has the shelf life of spoiled milk. Hit songs don’t have to come from legendary artists, as the past 15 years have shown us.

Dean is right though, there have been many legendary artists that came out of the major label system and the ‘formula.’ Despite the existence of a ‘formula,’ there is still plenty of room for creativity and originality. But, I don’t think that’s the debate.

There are artists who have ‘big picture relevance’ and artists who are simply temporary cash cows. GNR and The Beatles were both. It does happen. The Beatles as well as GNR wrote SONGS that will last forever, despite the relatively short careers of both acts (neither one ever reached the 10 year mark).

But Sid is right as to WHY they were successful… at the time they gave people something they weren’t getting. They won over audiences around the world because they had it all- they had the songs, they had the vibe, they had the rockstar qualities and they put on great shows. They were a total package. The real question is, could they have been that successful WITHOUT a label? At the time, definitely not. But with the way things are today, there is no reason why not.

I don’t think anyone will argue that things are really messed up right now. Although artists like Nickelback, Hinder and the Idol kids are still selling in the millions, if the major label system worked for everyone then MORE artists would be selling that well, not less. The options seem to be simple: either play the major label game as a singles-driven artist and operate in their long established system, or create a system of your own. One that works for you.

There are advantages and disadvantages to both the DIY and the label systems. Both can help you raise your status and both can get you in the public eye. Neither one can make any promises about how long your ride will last or how much money you will make…that’s up to the artist and the team they surround themselves with.

Wanting major labels to change is futile. They’re too big to make changes. If their existing system can work for your band (meaning you consistently write ‘hit songs’ with ‘mass appeal’), then jump in. If that’s not the kind of artist you are and cannot operate in that system, then you need to staff up with the right people and take it into your own hands.

Several legendary life style artists wrote 3 minute songs. Forgoodness sakes, The Beatles who sold over 100 million records wrote 3 minute songs with lyrics and melodies that will last 100 Years.

The music Industry and the radio world would return to its healthy state If artists wrote great songs that freed people from there busy lifestyle. If that doesnt happen, expect the worse.

Because a song is 3-3:30 minutes in length, has the typical verse/chorus/verse/chorus/bridge/chorus formula, and reaches the “hook” within :45 seconds of the song’s first note, it is classified as a “potential single”. If the song has an especially memorable “hook”, its classified as a “potential hit”. IT HAS NOT ALWAYS BEEN THIS WAY! We have been programmed like robots to believe this is the only way its done, and you’re feeding into this bullshit.

You are calling for artists to buy into this formulaic style of writing? Making entire albums of “hit singles”? That’s the last thing we need right now, man. I know you’re a big fan of GNR. Listen to Appetite. Listen to either of the Use Your Illusion records. The reason people fell in love with those records is because they were different from the same old crap being put out. Yes the songs were memorable. Yes they had good choruses and hooks. But they weren’t all “hits”. GNR didn’t give a flying fuck if radio played their songs. You know Axl didn’t. He’s out of his god damn mind. And that’s exactly why they did get played!

Things are broken right now, man. I don’t know if it will ever be fixed. Especially for rock n roll. But don’t act like if everyone started writing entire albums with a bunch of 3 minute long pop songs filled with hooks, everything would be okay in the world. I’m not saying I’ve got the answers here, but if that’s your’s, then neither do you.