How Much Does It Cost To Make A Hit Song?

[imcarthur]

Interesting breakdown of the estimated costs to make a single hit song. Rihanna's 'Man Down'.

Writing: $18,000
Songwriter: $15,000
Producer: $20,000
Vocal Producer: $15,000
Mix/Master: $10,000
Roll out: $1,000,000

Total: $1,078,000

See: NPR Planet Money

Ian

[PorscheGAL]

Oh course, if she had the talent to actually write her own music $33,000 could have been saved. She is well known in pop circles, you have to wonder if it takes $1,000,000 to promote her, what does it cost for less known singers?

[Mark Henry]

"Friday" only cost Rebecca Blacks mom $4k.
You said "hit", you didn't say anything about a good song.

Justin Beaver is another youtube wonder.

[imcarthur]

Originally Posted by Mark Henry

"Friday" only cost Rebecca Blacks mom $4k.
You said "hit", you didn't say anything about a good song.

A YouTube viral 'hit' doesn't mean people are buying the CD - even though it might end up on iTunes for freak content. That's a different animal. For Rihanna, Def Jam probably did the whole circuit - launch parties, expensive video shoot (looks like Jamaica . . .), talk shows, limos, private jets . . .

Beiber is all about targeted promotion. Big $s spent there no doubt.

Ian

[GH85Carrera]

I have never heard any of those songs. I have never heard of Rihanna what type of music does he sing?

Now get off my lawn!

[PorscheGAL]

Originally Posted by GH85Carrera

I have never heard any of those songs. I have never heard of Rihanna what type of music does he sing?

Now get off my lawn!

Rihanna is a she. Honestly can't name any of her song, as I tend to listen to good music (classic rock). She is the one from the news last year that was beat up before a music awards show by her no talent singing boyfriend.

[Kraftwerk]

Black Sabbath's first album cost $700.00 to record. The rest is history.

[GH85Carrera]

I quit listening to the radio except on very rare occasions. There is only one classic rock station locally. They seem to be a rut and play the same 80 to 120 songs over and over and over and over. There is no reason to play "Blinded by the Light" 4 times in one week. I even wrote the station manager and complained. It did no good. I have Pandora One on my iPhone & computers. I can listen to 100% music for 3 bucks a month. And I don't have to listen to the obnoxious commercials.

[widebody911]

The song in question is horrible. I wish she would implode already and start doing pr0n.

[PorscheGAL]

Originally Posted by GH85Carrera

"Blinded by the Light"

Not my definition of classic rock. Zep, Sabbath, Pink Floyd, etc. That's my definition

[GH85Carrera]

Yep.

They play lots of ZZ Top Skynyrd & Stones then decide to play some weak song like that. And they don't play the Springsteen version it is the one by Manfred Man Earth Band!

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by imcarthur

A YouTube viral 'hit' doesn't mean people are buying the CD -
Ian

My friends have been posting songs recorded in there living room on YouTube... one of them is a bass/drum solo that is a big hit in Chile... I tease him mercilessly about it Dude! Your a hit! Let's move to Chile!

Originally Posted by Kraftwerk

Black Sabbath's first album cost $700.00 to record. The rest is history.

And wasn't Bostons first album recorded in someones basement?

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by GH85Carrera

Yep.

They play lots of ZZ Top Skynyrd & Stones then decide to play some weak song like that. And they don't play the Springsteen version it is the one by Manfred Man Earth Band!

My new Hyundai came with XM radio... I swore "NO WAY AM I PAYING FOR RADIO!!!!!"

Then I started playing with it (the radio that is) $120 a year but 200 stations crystal clear anywhere and most with no commercials.

Should come in handy on upcoming road trip.

[imcarthur]

Originally Posted by scottmandue

recorded in someones basement?

The traditional recording industry has imploded because of home recording. Buy a nice powerful computer. Add ProTools + plugins + some misc hdwe - mics, mic pre's, a basic I/O controller, & anyone can record anywhere. But then you have to make it slick & sell it.

Ian

[pwd72s]

I'd bet the farm it didn't cost a million to make this hit...Oregon's rock anthem.

YouTube - ‪The KINGSMEN - Louie Louie - 45rpm‬‏

[GH85Carrera]

Originally Posted by pwd72s

I'd bet the farm it didn't cost a million to make this hit...Oregon's rock anthem.

YouTube - ‪The KINGSMEN - Louie Louie - 45rpm‬‏

That song proves lyrics are not the key to a big hit.

[black73]

Originally Posted by imcarthur

Interesting breakdown of the estimated costs to make a single hit song. Rihanna's 'Man Down'.

Writing: $18,000
Songwriter: $15,000
Producer: $20,000
Vocal Producer: $15,000
Mix/Master: $10,000
Roll out: $1,000,000

Total: $1,078,000

See: NPR Planet Money

Ian

That last line should read: Payola: $1,000,000

[pwd72s]

Originally Posted by GH85Carrera

That song proves lyrics are not the key to a big hit.

Truth....just having the youth of the nation thinking the lyrics are "dirty" did it then. Times have changed...for sure.

[azasadny]

How much does the AutoTune cost???

[azasadny]

Originally Posted by GH85Carrera

I quit listening to the radio except on very rare occasions. There is only one classic rock station locally. They seem to be a rut and play the same 80 to 120 songs over and over and over and over. There is no reason to play "Blinded by the Light" 4 times in one week. I even wrote the station manager and complained. It did no good. I have Pandora One on my iPhone & computers. I can listen to 100% music for 3 bucks a month. And I don't have to listen to the obnoxious commercials.

Same here!!