These industry leaders said a hit song is hooky (memorable) and communicates a message that is readily apparent and relatable to the listener.
But since radio stations are programmed by humans, the song singer factors as much in the success of a song as the song itself.
Hit songs often come from artists who are protagonists in a compelling life story that illicits empathy or admiration.
Many successful gifted artists in Christian music have a great story we love to hear.
- Their story isn’t manufactured or manipulative and it’s certainly no replacement for talent.
- The story is created by life, identified by marketers, and spread by the artist and fans.
- The story makes us want them to succeed – so much so that we’re willing to help them do it.
- The story may give an artist credibility. They’ve overcome some obstacle or accomplished some feat and so we – rightfully – believe they have something to say worth listening to.
- The story may make an artist more relatable. We’re left feeling they’re “just like us” – merely human. And if God can do this in their life then…
- The story is so concise and simple that it is easily passed along. Memorable. Just a sentence or two.
The story becomes a hook for the artist. You think of the artist and immediately you think of their story.
For example, it goes without saying that Jeremy Camp is a gifted singer and songwriter. So were a lot of guys with guitars when his first single released. But Jeremy’s label identified and told his courageous story well. And Jeremy told it in concert every night.
Jeremy’s wife – the love of his life – passed away when they were newlyweds. Jeremy didn’t lose faith but instead he lifted his hands and his voice at her bedside and praised God in the valley of the shadow of death, trusting the God who gives and takes away but never abandons.
Memorable. Inspiring. Encouraging. Human.
The story made us care about this guitar playing singer more than many others. We all wanted this faithful guy to find love again. And he did. That was the story told when his second album and next batch of chart-topping singles released: Jeremy got married.
With Jeremy’s third album another ideal chapter was added to his already incredible story: a baby.
Jeremy’s story, as much as Jeremy’s music, turned you and me, retailers and, yes, guys at radio stations into fans. Because we’re human.
Humans don’t just buy music. They buy people. And Christian radio is run by humans who gravitate toward the best stories.
They can’t help it. Story is that powerful. It moves us, helps us make sense of life, helps us describe and identify with others, and it humanizes those faces on CD covers – Helps us see God at work in their lives and in ours.
In one sentence, what is your story?
whimzie says:
I think the same is true of bloggers.
Shaun Groves says:
I agree. A sick child or the loss of a child is a common story behind successful female blogs.
The Pioneer Woman is arguably the most successful female blogger in the world and her story is once-sentence simple: High-society girl from the city marries rancher, moves to the middle of nowhere and hilarity ensues. (Green Acres anyone?)
These bloggers happen to also be gifted writers and/or photographers with compelling personalities and tremendous work ethic, but so are a lot of other bloggers. Their STORIES drew the bigger crowd.
whimzie says:
To me PW’s the gold standard and the complete package. Great story coupled written by a great writer!
The story may draw me in, but doesn’t there have to be something more to keep me coming back?
Doesn’t the talent have to be there in order to sustain longevity? Or would you say there are some artists (and bloggers) who have been successful for a considerable length of time on story alone?
whimzie says:
“Great story written by a great writer.”
Shaun Groves says:
That was bullet point #1: “certainly does not replace talent.”
Phil says:
I agree with this post, but with the caveat that we as consumers (and Christian record labels as producers) need to be careful not to be manipulative of a person’s story for the sake of sales. It also needs to be said that just because someone doesn’t have a “compelling story” doesn’t mean that they shouldn’t be “bought into” as an artist. We also need good artists who can be appreciated on the merit of their art itself, without the wow story. Good music can be good music.
Shaun Groves says:
I think I covered that. The story isn’t manipulative or manufactured. It’s created by LIFE.
And, yes, like everything this side of Heaven, the telling of our stories can be spoiled by our motives. I’m giving the benefit of the doubt to the marketers in the industry – right or wrong ; )
And Phil, I’m betting that story still plays a part in your music likes and dislikes. You tell yourself a story about the artists you like – a story that makes you feel as good as Jeremy’s story makes his fans feel – a story created and furthered by marketers and the artists themselves. How and where you buy their music, how they dress, the album cover, what’s on the web site and what’s not – it all tells you a story.
You may tell yourself they’re making “art” or they’re outsiders to the industry, they’re intelligent, for example – just guessing. That’s still a story. If I’m right then your purchase isn’t entirely about music either.
Story and music (and maybe all products) are inseparable.
You’re as much a sucker as the rest of us ; )
Phil says:
I think you’re right, Shaun… to an extent. I’ll admit I’m a sucker for a good story.
Not to belabor the point, but that’s a pretty broad definition of ‘story’. π
What irks me is that much of Christian music – of which I am both a consumer and a producer – seems to use the “story” model as a crutch for new artists, rather than focus on their actual talent. Unless you have a unique story, it’s hard for an artist to “break in”…
For instance, I don’t listen to Earth, Wind and Fire or Take 6 or Athlete or Sleeping At Last because their lives might easily be turned into a Hollywood (or Christian) movie. I listen because they write good music, they’re excellent musicians and songwriters.
Mela Kamin says:
disclaimer:
I know my music might not sell at all, if it weren’t for the story – I’m told it’s the stories behind the songs and MY STORY that people love. As mid-thirties Mom of 3, living in the suburbs of MN, I’m an underdog and so I have people rooting for me.
MY STORY: Two years ago, I decided to put my writing talents together with my love of singing. I wrote songs, got booked to sing, met a Nashville producer, told him my STORY & he offered to produce my album. Five trips to Nashville later, we co-wrote a 12-song CD in 4 months. I’m consistently booked at women’s retreats and Moms groups mostly because of that story.
It’s relatable: Stay-at-home Mom feels like she lost a bit of herself, her identity, purpose & passion. She has a dream & goes after it, no matter what society thinks she should be doing.
This is what people get from my story & the songs:
God has a plan for your life
Use your gifts & start where you are with what you have
Mela Kamin says:
my disclaimer was that this would be an advertisement – I put it in brackets, forgetting the code wouldn’t show up – HA
Princess Leia says:
I think we, as consumers, would do that whether it was marketed that way or not. We want to feel like we’re important and like we matter. Well, celebrities (whether we’re talking movies, music, or sports) are “important.” By knowing even just part of their story, we can begin to pretend that we know _them_ (especially if we’ve ever actually met them, and even more so if it was more than just a meet-and-greet). And if we, the little people, know _them_, then maybe _we’re_ important too.
In my own very small pond, I tend to chastise people who introduce me as “this is “Leia,” she’s a _ROCKET_SCIENTIST!!!!!!_ Why? Because the response is usually, “Oh, you must be smart” and then their eyes glaze over and that’s the end of an actual RELATIONSHIP until by some off-chance they actually get to know _ME_. It’s not that I’m ashamed of it (I’m very proud of it, actually), but it’s more important to me that they get to know _me_ rather than just what I do.
I like to think that this commonality with celebrities (i.e., one tag line that sums up your entire being to a large group of people) makes me treat them more like they’re just another person instead of someone “special.” That should make me stick out to them, right? And make me special? And important? Just like them. Right? ;p
Jeri says:
Mine’s pretty lame. Girl grows up in a family that knows all the good church answers but doesn’t live them; girl goes looking for something real and finds . . . Still trying to finish this story. God? Maybe. Already tried everything from school to cutting. I recently got into Christian music and books (after all these years), including yours, and the Jesus I’ve found here is compelling, and vastly different from the one I grew up with.
Sorry, I broke the one sentence. It’s not rife with obvious heartache, but that’s my story.
Heather A. says:
Hmm I’m thinking of all the Christian artists and songs that grab me and I know nothing, really nothing about any of them. I couldn’t tell you what they looked like, how old, married, and am totally clueless about their stories. Secular artists, of course, it’s everywhere. But for me it’s all song and no story.
My story, in one sentance, so ordinary American sinner lost and found, again and again that only He really cares about the details. I think I’m tired of the stories. Maybe that’s why I enjoy reading yours, here, and a few others…it’s not really about you.
Shaun Groves says:
How do you discover new music, Heather?
If you discover it through radio or retailers then story is playing a role in what you get exposed to: radio and retail can’t give exposure every artist and story affects, to some degree, which artists they choose to expose you to.
Never thought about this before though – you’re right, the consumer doesn’t even have to know the story. But the gatekeepers sure do.
misty says:
My story in one sentence:
I had an affair on my husband; through Gods grace with HIS forgiveness and his forgiveness we are happily married 6 years later.
Shaun Groves says:
Great story. You should sing…or blog ; )
Cara says:
We’re wired to love “story”. Throughout history we’ve always been drawn to the story; either the “underdog-who-beats-the-odds-and-becomes-a-hero” or the “born-to-wealth-and-riches-but-heroic-and-kind” archetype.
The story of Christ is no different from many others, it does in fact echoes the great stories of mythical characters from ages and cultures past but is different because, as CS Lewis said, “myth became flesh.” Story is how we connect to God, and how Jesus conveyed the principles of the Kingdom.
It is no surprise that story impacts the choices in our music – it impacts everything we do. We even have the ability to talk about our own lives as “story”. It is a uniquely wonderful human quality.
Shaun Groves says:
I wish you blogged. I’d read.
misty says:
Shaun Groves says:
May 18, 2010 at 9:56 am
Great story. You should singβ¦or blog ; )
Sorry…not sure why I never have luck relpying.
Singing…well, I can’t. π
I do blog…not a lot but I have one. π
I share my story anytime the opportunity arises. If it can help someone to not make the same mistake I did or help someone get through their own or their loved ones mistake, I will share.
Shaun Groves says:
Then you should link your name to your blog URL and not your gravatar. I would have ben reading you for sometime now!
misty says:
Shaun Groves says:
May 18, 2010 at 11:37 am
Then you should link your name to your blog URL and not your gravatar. I would have ben reading you for sometime now!
I think I did on this one…didn’t I? π
Shaun Groves says:
I was actually talking to, Cara. But, yes, you did link your name to your URL. Reading now!
amy says:
We are drawn to people by story. God’s Word is the ultimate example of this. We know Moses, the baby placed in a basket to save his life. David, the young boy who slew Goliath. Solomon who desired wisdom more than wealth. Peter, the fisherman. Paul who was Saul, the murderer of Christ followers. We learn their stories, these people whom God chose. We understand why they were they way they were, why they made the choices they made, all because we know their story. Can you imagine if God told us Moses led His people out of bondage, and we went, “Cool. Moses, who?” We love story because it makes us connect, it makes us care, it makes us understand.
My story… raised in a home by agnostic parents who taught me to love and serve self, spent many a year loving and serving self, almost died by loving and serving self, finally woke up and began to love and serve the King of kings, Lord of lords.
On a side note, have you noticed that almost all of your comments are from women? That must be telling of something…we certainly like to talk about ourselves?
Steve Ford says:
Shawn –
Thank you so much for giving me credit for writing the insightful article “Anatomy Of A Hit Song.” No matter how much I want to take credit for it I must give credit where credit is due. Jennifer Allen, our Director of Radio Promotions wrote the article.
I so agree with your article about the need for a story. There are a myriad of artists whose music is enhanced because of the stories around the songs, Dave Wilcox, Mark Schultz and Jason Gray are a few that come to mind. The song is as much an exclamation point for the story. The song is good but the story makes the song great.
Thanks for your insight and your ability to express it so well.
redheadkate says:
At first, I quite proudly thought that I don’t choose music based on the singer’s story. That I purely judge on the quality of the song instead. But that isn’t true. Ok, so maybe I don’t always buy into the marketing copy. Some of it can get a bit old. But the musicians do influence me. My company promotes concerts. How many times has my opinion of someone’s music changed after I met them – for good or bad. It happens all the time.
Story is a vital part of life. That is really what songs are all about. Why would the singers lives be any different?
Aurora says:
.As long as we recognize that one’s story doesn’t need to include a major tragic event to be worth a listen. Everyday lives provide everyday challenges – and that’s relevant to everyday people.
Jamie Wood says:
What many people fail to recognize is that no one is “just average” and everyone has a story that is worthwhile to share.
Jamie Wood says:
“Hooky with a readily apparent message and relatable” (they should have added payola) … I agree with you Shaun, the singer or performance artist is indeed the larger component in the equation … else, how do we explain the many successes of instrumental artists who can take a known piece beyond the norm and are able to let their feelings, life experience, their STORY flow through their instrument.