Comments on: Survival Of The Hittest https://freakytrigger.co.uk/ft/2013/07/survival-of-the-hittest Lollards in the high church of low culture Mon, 12 Aug 2013 19:07:59 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.4.3 By: Another Pete https://freakytrigger.co.uk/ft/2013/07/survival-of-the-hittest/comment-page-1#comment-1184673 Mon, 12 Aug 2013 19:07:59 +0000 https://freakytrigger.co.uk/?p=25257#comment-1184673 #29 It sounds like a Venn diagram was strongly involved, surprised it didn’t get a featuring credit.

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By: Rory https://freakytrigger.co.uk/ft/2013/07/survival-of-the-hittest/comment-page-1#comment-1183657 Mon, 12 Aug 2013 10:18:24 +0000 https://freakytrigger.co.uk/?p=25257#comment-1183657 So how does Miley Cyrus affect the run? Sounds less interesting to me, and seems to be channeling Gaga in the video. But it could have been worse.

This would be bunny territory, except we’ll have long forgotten it all by the time we get there!

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By: Alan https://freakytrigger.co.uk/ft/2013/07/survival-of-the-hittest/comment-page-1#comment-1168836 Tue, 30 Jul 2013 11:37:23 +0000 https://freakytrigger.co.uk/?p=25257#comment-1168836 “Tribute” + “Year 3000? = “Best Song Ever”.

fixed

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By: thefatgit https://freakytrigger.co.uk/ft/2013/07/survival-of-the-hittest/comment-page-1#comment-1168789 Tue, 30 Jul 2013 09:55:12 +0000 https://freakytrigger.co.uk/?p=25257#comment-1168789 “Tribute” + “Year 3000” = “Best Song Ever”.

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By: Lazarus https://freakytrigger.co.uk/ft/2013/07/survival-of-the-hittest/comment-page-1#comment-1168514 Mon, 29 Jul 2013 18:23:39 +0000 https://freakytrigger.co.uk/?p=25257#comment-1168514 Hmmm, just got around to reading this thread; I never thought I would see a reference to Wisden on Popular (although the Duckworth Lewis Method do have a new album out as it happens). I have one Now! – the first, which I got for Xmas ’83 – and Mrs Laz had a few of the early ones but I have no idea where they are now (sadly, she’s no longer here to ask, I have the Big C to thank for that). As to the charts, I used to take a quite unhealthy interest in the singles chart – but not the albums, which I suspect are followed , if at all, by a different group. Listening to the Top 40 every Sunday, tracking the climbers and fallers, writing up my own version (and I know some of you did that too! I’ve read that elsewhere) watching the ITV Chart Show on Saturday morning to get a preview of the next day’s Top 10, all that sort of thing. And, for the most part, I was into the music as well.

This lasted from the summer of ’78 – currently being relived on BBC4 – to the Millennium. I made a decision that the nonsense had to end there – it seemed a good time – and I’ve never gone back. It may have been the end of Britpop, the arrival of Westlife (though I found some of Boyzone’s stuff perfectly acceptable), the emergence of PopStars and that ilk; also I got a job in the spring of 2000 that involved working Sunday evenings. So the charts are something I feel I’ve left behind for good. I doubt if I could name five Number Ones from the last 12 months, though I’m sure I’d recognise most of them if I heard them as we have Heart on at work all day. I do have every edition of Wisden from 1947 though!

That Daft Punk record is alright, even got me dancing at the weekend. Being played to death though, natch.

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By: Tom https://freakytrigger.co.uk/ft/2013/07/survival-of-the-hittest/comment-page-1#comment-1168280 Mon, 29 Jul 2013 07:58:59 +0000 https://freakytrigger.co.uk/?p=25257#comment-1168280 I have a soft spot for One Direction because of all the fantastic funny/lustful blogging they inspire among people I follow on Tumblr! “Best Song Ever” washes over me a bit – and might end the run, I guess – but the chorus lyrics are terrific:

“We danced all night to the best song ever / We knew every line now I can’t remember / How it goes”

A great bit of how-pop-works insight that – like Katy B still dancing when the lights go up in the club.

(Also 1D calling a song “Best Song Ever” is good trolling of the non-fans and truth in advertising for the fans)

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By: Another Pete https://freakytrigger.co.uk/ft/2013/07/survival-of-the-hittest/comment-page-1#comment-1168101 Sun, 28 Jul 2013 21:56:25 +0000 https://freakytrigger.co.uk/?p=25257#comment-1168101 Had a feeling this run was going to end today, pleased to say I was proved wrong.

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By: lonepilgrim https://freakytrigger.co.uk/ft/2013/07/survival-of-the-hittest/comment-page-1#comment-1166256 Wed, 24 Jul 2013 19:48:51 +0000 https://freakytrigger.co.uk/?p=25257#comment-1166256 this seems relevant

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By: Tom https://freakytrigger.co.uk/ft/2013/07/survival-of-the-hittest/comment-page-1#comment-1165558 Tue, 23 Jul 2013 10:20:34 +0000 https://freakytrigger.co.uk/?p=25257#comment-1165558 No, I think that’s a good point. I was probably thinking of tabletop wargaming in general – including the Games Workshop stuff – rather than specifically model soldier business. But actually military modelling is a living hobby like Wisden – I was in a joint toy/model shop a few weeks ago and there’s a load of modern US and UK military hardware on offer in 1:25 scale.

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By: hardtogethits https://freakytrigger.co.uk/ft/2013/07/survival-of-the-hittest/comment-page-1#comment-1165368 Mon, 22 Jul 2013 22:34:04 +0000 https://freakytrigger.co.uk/?p=25257#comment-1165368 I recently had cause to reflect that those who are into the charts have an interest in their vitality. They indeed care about what new material is in the charts. This absolutely backs up the distinction you make at no.17, Tom. Likewise, FWIW, and the true purpose of my recent reflection – those who keep a particular close eye on the facts and figures of (any) sport tend to be as enthralled by the present as the past – and I therefore Echo Wichita’s Wisden comments at #14. Some of my best friends are into those things. I feel a kinship – see speedwell at #16.

For me, this clearly distinguishes the hobby of following the charts from steam trains and model soldiers – both of those hobbies are ‘heritage’, historical interests – at the very core, the unit of fascination belongs in the past, even if it is newly-researched, or artistically re-interpreted, or written about in a very new way. Like, say, dinosaurs or cigarette cards. Funnily enough, some of my best friends are into those things too. I can see that emotionally we are operating differently when they talk about their hobbies to me, and I, mine, to them.

I’m happy with what I’m saying here, even if there’s no danger of me reaching a satisfactory conclusion (or even explaining it well).

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By: speedwell54 https://freakytrigger.co.uk/ft/2013/07/survival-of-the-hittest/comment-page-1#comment-1165297 Mon, 22 Jul 2013 19:37:31 +0000 https://freakytrigger.co.uk/?p=25257#comment-1165297 Tom.
Fair enough. I see what you mean.
I’ll get my coat. (which is obviously an anorak!)

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By: Tom https://freakytrigger.co.uk/ft/2013/07/survival-of-the-hittest/comment-page-1#comment-1165160 Mon, 22 Jul 2013 13:03:20 +0000 https://freakytrigger.co.uk/?p=25257#comment-1165160 I have good news for that young person.

http://www.slinkycity.com/fart-scented-candles.html

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By: Mog unlogged https://freakytrigger.co.uk/ft/2013/07/survival-of-the-hittest/comment-page-1#comment-1165131 Mon, 22 Jul 2013 12:11:58 +0000 https://freakytrigger.co.uk/?p=25257#comment-1165131 @15 my most terrified moment of clutching my face and screaming at Tumblr came when I saw one of the young person’s text posts that just read ‘why can’t I get a scented candle of Ed Sheeran’s voice?’ and had like 15,000 notes.

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By: Tom https://freakytrigger.co.uk/ft/2013/07/survival-of-the-hittest/comment-page-1#comment-1165118 Mon, 22 Jul 2013 11:10:02 +0000 https://freakytrigger.co.uk/?p=25257#comment-1165118 I think I’d make a distinction between being “into pop” (excited by new music which is popular) which I guess an awful lot of older people are, and being “into the charts” – paying attention to what’s #1, the mechanics of hit singles, eligibility, risers and fallers, etc. THAT’s the thing which seems a little model soldier-y to me – and as I say, I don’t see that as a bad thing.

Almost everyone who is into the charts will also be into pop.

Not everyone who is into pop is into the charts.

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By: speedwell54 https://freakytrigger.co.uk/ft/2013/07/survival-of-the-hittest/comment-page-1#comment-1164870 Sun, 21 Jul 2013 20:02:45 +0000 https://freakytrigger.co.uk/?p=25257#comment-1164870 Nice article.

I think there is another reasonable group

– People who pick and chose tracks from digital Now
The week or two after Now is released there will be a few singles getting a little bump back up the charts.

I buy the physical copy and am only just getting over the fact after 35 vinyl purchases the format was dropped. I probably listen to them now (ahem!) more than ever because

1 I have children
2 Radio One is largely unlistenable so wouldn’t otherwise hear some stuff
3 a long commute
4 renewed interest after finding FT about a year ago

Totally agree with the purple patch of number ones this year. I think Witcha tweeted something along those lines recently and looking back for the last time we had just 4 good singles in a row took me back to 2005. IMO

Finally really never saw being into the charts as being “British” or akin to steam trainers or model soldierists. What I mean by that is I never saw ME being akin to ‘those people’. Of the two though I’ll chose British.

The difference to me is what I am interested in, is still happening. There are new things to listen to, new conversations to have, new things to be excited about and new things which are still pants. I am not knocking the interests of other people by the way, just don’t see the parallels.

Roll on Now 85, just hours to wait!

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By: Steve Mannion https://freakytrigger.co.uk/ft/2013/07/survival-of-the-hittest/comment-page-1#comment-1164772 Sun, 21 Jul 2013 12:42:33 +0000 https://freakytrigger.co.uk/?p=25257#comment-1164772 Sheeran’s fanbase is as much the daughters as the mums if not more so I think – this is surely what facilitated the recent Taylor Swift duet. His appeal to younger listeners is still easier to comprehend than Mumfords.

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By: wichitalineman https://freakytrigger.co.uk/ft/2013/07/survival-of-the-hittest/comment-page-1#comment-1164755 Sun, 21 Jul 2013 11:11:08 +0000 https://freakytrigger.co.uk/?p=25257#comment-1164755 “I really don’t know who is still buying (singles) or why.”

Great question. I haven’t got a clue to the answer. Tessa suggests it’s partially down to people wanting to add songs to playlists at parties. Or, in the case of Ed Sheerin, someone’s mum asking ‘what’s that song that goes…?’

The Wisden’s comparison is spot on. That makes me feel better about my compulsive Now-buying disorder.

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By: Tom https://freakytrigger.co.uk/ft/2013/07/survival-of-the-hittest/comment-page-1#comment-1164133 Fri, 19 Jul 2013 16:37:45 +0000 https://freakytrigger.co.uk/?p=25257#comment-1164133 #10 I suspect this might be a thing where there’s a generational lag holding back behaviour a little. We have roughly three groups of people to think about:

– People who still buy the physical copy of Now
– People who buy the digital copy of Now
– People who stream Now but never buy it.

Do our Wisden-ites include just the first, or the second group too? I’d say some of the second at least – definitely from experience I have moved to largely digital but still have strong archivist tendencies.

This is sort of what I’m getting at when I talk about not really understanding the singles market now, though. More singles are being sold every year than ever – I know why this is (long tail effect), but at the same time most of this year’s No.1 singles have topped 100k sales, compared to the 20-30k totals we saw in the mid-00s. So for all the ubiquity of Spotify and YouTube the buying habit hasn’t gone away. And I really don’t know who is still buying or why. (I mean, I know I do, but I am not who is getting Avicii records to #1)

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By: Alan not logged in https://freakytrigger.co.uk/ft/2013/07/survival-of-the-hittest/comment-page-1#comment-1164122 Fri, 19 Jul 2013 16:19:31 +0000 https://freakytrigger.co.uk/?p=25257#comment-1164122 Having Helping Haiti and a Jedward track in no way detracts from the triffic of Now 75

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By: Hazel https://freakytrigger.co.uk/ft/2013/07/survival-of-the-hittest/comment-page-1#comment-1164119 Fri, 19 Jul 2013 16:12:47 +0000 https://freakytrigger.co.uk/?p=25257#comment-1164119 #9 this sounds like the worst musical thing :(

I really like Now albums, partly because when I was buying them off iTunes onto my phone it would, of course, automatically load every track- this was simultaneously great and awful as it meant I heard and liked a bunch of stuff I might not have bothered with otherwise and partly because I took a perverse interest in the really awful novelty songs that there is absolutely no chance I would have listened to otherwise- in the maudling hashed together mess that was Helping Haiti’s cover of Everyday Hurts, whose voice suddenly cracks into something less rushed and more sincere? Etc.

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By: TriffidFarm https://freakytrigger.co.uk/ft/2013/07/survival-of-the-hittest/comment-page-1#comment-1164110 Fri, 19 Jul 2013 15:46:34 +0000 https://freakytrigger.co.uk/?p=25257#comment-1164110 Re Now! standing with Wisdon as a journal of record: I am entirely on board – almost too much – with the the completest’s urges, and I can certainly understand the ritual of buying or being given this year’s entry.

But for the person that places their copy on the shelf unread or unheard, it wasn’t irrational – there was always a satisfaction that your personal access to this song or score was ensured. And now (Now!) the internet is displacing this role so comprehensively that its almost become banal to say so – especially for chart music.

So why has the archivist tendency not dissipated more?

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By: Alan not logged in https://freakytrigger.co.uk/ft/2013/07/survival-of-the-hittest/comment-page-1#comment-1164064 Fri, 19 Jul 2013 13:15:11 +0000 https://freakytrigger.co.uk/?p=25257#comment-1164064 nb I am currently listening to Vampire Weekend’d live lounge of Blurred Lines. It’s… not terrible

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By: Alan not logged in https://freakytrigger.co.uk/ft/2013/07/survival-of-the-hittest/comment-page-1#comment-1164063 Fri, 19 Jul 2013 13:14:09 +0000 https://freakytrigger.co.uk/?p=25257#comment-1164063 i liked the first 3 of the year too – though I believe a love of the Bingo Players track is not something widely shared

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By: Tom https://freakytrigger.co.uk/ft/2013/07/survival-of-the-hittest/comment-page-1#comment-1164058 Fri, 19 Jul 2013 13:04:07 +0000 https://freakytrigger.co.uk/?p=25257#comment-1164058 (& there have been at least 2 other fantastic number ones this year before that run)

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By: Tom https://freakytrigger.co.uk/ft/2013/07/survival-of-the-hittest/comment-page-1#comment-1164057 Fri, 19 Jul 2013 13:01:31 +0000 https://freakytrigger.co.uk/?p=25257#comment-1164057 The Great Eight (thanks Mike TD) in full, BTW

Duke Dumont ft AME – “Need U (100%)”
Rudimental ft Ella Eyre – “Waiting All Night”
Daft Punk ft Pharrell Williams – “Get Lucky”
Naughty Boy ft Sam Smith’s Old Brewery Bitter – “La La La”
Robin Thicke ft TI & Pharrell Williams – “Blurred Lines”
Icona Pop ft Charli XCX – “I Love It”
John Newman NOT FEATURING ANYBODY – “Love Me Again”
Avicii ft Aloe Blacc – “Wake Me Up”*

*has not got to #1 yet! But will according to the midweeks.

The record immediately before this was “Let’s Get Ready To Rhumble” by PJ And Duncan, which I’m not wholly counting because it’s a reissue, but I do like it. So perhaps this is the Fine Nine.

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By: Steve Mannion https://freakytrigger.co.uk/ft/2013/07/survival-of-the-hittest/comment-page-1#comment-1164013 Fri, 19 Jul 2013 10:50:42 +0000 https://freakytrigger.co.uk/?p=25257#comment-1164013 DJ mixes may be the ultimate bundle (not that they’re as widely bought – and established series like DJ Kicks have been as solid as anything imo) but still massively popular and for many the main way to discover tracks. Soundcloud and the like allow people to skip through the mixes so easily though and the mix can feel more like an audible record box itself (although you don’t necessarily get a tracklist with it).

Just noticed no #1 from this decade has stayed there over 4 weeks consecutively (curiously though three songs have done 4 weeks then dropped only to bounce back up for a fifth week, another had two separate 3 week stints – very unusual) so wonder where the next big blustering ballad #1 is coming from as these tend to be the most likely songs to stick it out longer.

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By: Tom https://freakytrigger.co.uk/ft/2013/07/survival-of-the-hittest/comment-page-1#comment-1163982 Fri, 19 Jul 2013 08:59:48 +0000 https://freakytrigger.co.uk/?p=25257#comment-1163982 I like it cos of the European EDM producer personally! – he’s the raviest of the big EDM hitters, I really liked his last #1 too. Not that the vocalist is doing anything wrong, quite the reverse. But yes, happy times.

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By: punctum https://freakytrigger.co.uk/ft/2013/07/survival-of-the-hittest/comment-page-1#comment-1163976 Fri, 19 Jul 2013 08:52:06 +0000 https://freakytrigger.co.uk/?p=25257#comment-1163976 The “American R&B vocalist” really makes that record. My score is eight great number ones in a row (this coming Sunday’s included). Was never much for “Watch Us Wreck Eric Sykes” as stated elsewhere.

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By: Another Pete https://freakytrigger.co.uk/ft/2013/07/survival-of-the-hittest/comment-page-1#comment-1163975 Fri, 19 Jul 2013 08:50:43 +0000 https://freakytrigger.co.uk/?p=25257#comment-1163975 I think the most noticeable thing about this enjoyable glut of number ones is that it’s the song being sold first and foremost rather than as it has been for the last 5 years ‘the latest track from (insert unrelenting ‘hit’ churning act here) you must buy’. Even the track which according to the midweek sales is a shoe-in for number 1 this Sunday, despite adhering to the 2010s steadfast formula of European EDM producer collaborating with American R&B vocalist, is a welcome inclusion in helping lengthen that run.

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By: punctum https://freakytrigger.co.uk/ft/2013/07/survival-of-the-hittest/comment-page-1#comment-1163971 Fri, 19 Jul 2013 08:26:22 +0000 https://freakytrigger.co.uk/?p=25257#comment-1163971 Now 84 was a big disappointment. Too many heavy hitters missing; too much of the “two tracks by one artist from an album I’ve already got thank you very much indeed” syndrome. Now 85 looks set to be a classic though.

Incidentally, recent browsing through an out-of-town used record store revealed several peak Now volumes on CD selling at ludicrous prices. Now 12 for £29.99? Now 13 for £32.99? Who on earth do they think is going to buy these at those prices? Not me for a start.

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