How to capture the magic of hit songs on your tracks
April 18, 2024
Do you ever wonder why classic and hit songs seem to have a certain kind of magic? Why is it that so many other tracks using the same production techniques don’t have that certain thing?
In my 20+ years of producing music, here is my answer to this mystery.
Watch the video above to find out how to make your tracks stand out from the rest.
Chris
PS. Sorry about the odd wind noise. I used a mic that I found out later is mostly for indoor use. I know studio mics pretty darn well but still learning about VO microphones. 🙂
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Hmmmm… I’m not sure what the answer is. My cynical side would say what makes a hit recording is money poured into marketing and dare I say payola. The other part of me would say that yes there is an emotional touchstone that grabs a listener and tweaking certain things in the lyric or melody or chord progression can make a huge difference.
Putting hits aside, I am talking about the great songs of the world. One listen is all it takes to know.
Hello, Chris, I love your comparative approach to the perfect song I often think about this magic that operates and the result is really obvious! it’s like when I find a Bordeaux cep in the forest, it’s obvious that it’s perfect and will be delicious …..Didier
Yum, you know the way to my heart… French food. 🙂
I found that when I catch myself listening to something I’ve made at least 6 times over. I feel that it’s a winner for me. Other tracks I end up giving my ear a break from so I can come back with a fresh ear to either make changes or enhance what has already been done to the track.
Great litmus test!
Hey Chris.. great video! I know exactly what you mean! I just finished a song and it is at my mastering engineer’s studio as I type this! When do I know a song is right? I either cry or laugh hysterically! lol. Anyway, great advice for those that are struggling with their art especially!
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I have this one track that I feel can use a lot of work. It’s about a guy and a girl planing to hook up because when they seen each other for the first time, they were overtook. A basic layout of the verses, and the hook corresponds with the verses. The track needs work and I’m gonna go a whole different direction with it, but this is the link if you want to give it an ear.
https://on.soundcloud.com/hmc5cz1eaXwdnD4Q7
Thanks Raynard, but I unfortunately just don’t have time to listen to all the music that gets sent to me. Great to see you are creating new material, it makes the world go around.
Very eloquently said, Chris…wow! I agree, absolutely, and still there is so much of something, some proverbial "x-factor" (unknown, lurking in ether) that one can never put a finger on but perhaps somewhat feel only when they experiment with and share with the world. I have seen this over and over again with many of my songs as I brought them to light one by one in the last few years. Who would have ever thought the very first song I produced through Sundown Sessions would have been the one that would get placed on the 70s Hits playlist with all the insanely famous classic pop-rock artists that the world dies for?! This has remained true after having produced over a dozen tracks since with Sundown. Without taking that chance, I would never have known. However, the song had already had some traction earlier even as a "work-tape," thanks to social media.
I love listening to such words of wisdom in these videos, which often turn out to be thought-provoking and valuable. This one tells me, "listen to your heart." So, thank you!
Thank you, Ban, and it is always a pleasure working with you. You make it easy with your great songs.
Thankyou so much Chris,
that struck a chord with me.
I have always thought Art is there to bring something beautiful, that little piece of magic as you said
I am glad you see that too, Veronica.
Sounds great! Good message, thanks, Chris!
You got it, Amber.
Loved the video Chris. Thanks for sharing with us.
Thanks, Ray.
Thanks, Chris! Words of wisdom and always, at the root, the music has to touch some part of me to make the magic happen. I appreciate this discussion.
Great to hear, Louise.
I will be listening to this again, a wonderfull alturistic comment to help us fellow songwriters. Brilliant.
Thanks Mark!
Thanks Chris, that’s inspiring and it resonates with me. When I’m writing, I write lots of raw ideas, and I usually find that certain raw ideas have a spark, a certain bit of magic, and then it’s a lot of crafting to try to make that spark become a bonfire.
I like your analogy. 🙂
I have so much going on too much to do
Uh oh. Hopefully you can take the time to try and capture that real magic in your tracks.
yes, so many people try and engineer a hit but in the end it’s something about the feel and you have to go where the song leads.. for better or worse.. I have a song with not the best vocal performance but we couldn’t replicate the essence of the first take.. so.. that was it.
Great chat from you – thanks
Thanks!
A very insightful and helpful description of how to use freedom in writing and still remain aware, as a listener, to what makes you feel good. If something you’ve done really genuinely thrills you, it will probably create that feeling in other listeners!
For sure!
Really appreciated hearing this message, thanks!!
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Great Commentary Chris !
Cool, glad you like it Bryan.
Great Stuff Brother!
Thanks John!
Always saying the right things to help me feel inspired and keep me motivated with moving forward!
Truly appreciate this fantastic message. Thanks Chris SD! 🙂
So great to hear, Ann Marie!
This is excellent advice Chris. It’s certainly is one of the most important truths about music in general.
Thanks, Kelly.
Hey Chris, thanks for sharing your experience. Great video! In my case, I start with a melodic idea. Once I start the production session, I design the main melody. The type of sound chosen and the tone are very important. Next I listen carefully to the atmosphere of the sound, and begin to design the rhythmic base and patterns progressively from this with sounds that stick and merge. Once the rhythm is created, I adjust the BPM where the dynamics sound best.
That sounds like an excellent approach for what I was talking about.
So take what’s working and run from there, rather than bash yourself for every single flaw? I like it. Thanks Chris
Yes, or put another way, the thing you perceive as a flaw is not quite fitting so figure out why. This is done by following your heart and not your head right away. You are on the right path!
emphasize all those living sparks!
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Thanks for the professional advice Chris. It lets me know that I am on the right track for creating my song. This is something that I needed to hear
Great to hear, Fred!
Well said ,,,, thanks for the advise Chris . I always knew ,,,there was something other than the technical, mechanical side, You explained it very well.
Thanks Lenard, I am glad it helped!
Hi Chris great to hear from u I’ve always found your advice sound myself in the pro of doing a album to bring across to USA next February and I remember what u said about sitting the vocal back in the mix for sync thanku for keeping me on ur email list take care
Hey great to hear, Tony. Glad the advice helped.
Always sage advice, Chris. Thanks. I’m reminded that artists like Frank Sinatra and Anne Murray usually went with their very first vocal take because it was usually the best one after all. Preparedness and anticipation can lead to that.
Yes, that can often be the case, but many times not too. It depends on the artist, but there is a naturalness abbot the first one before overthinking kicks in.
Easier said than done. But YES! I get it.
Tenort not tehort. my bad.
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I love this. It’s not always easy to go back and search for those nuggets in old performances but they hold so much evidence. Thank you, Chris.
I am glad that helps, Rachel.