Are "Hit Songs" Subjective?

Submitted by MisterCrayle t3_zt4mvw in Music

Let's start off by saying my friend is pretty much bias on almost everything in life and to put it simply, it's to the extent where what he likes is the shit and what he doesn't is just trash. Anyway, we had a pretty long conversation last night in which we debated the topic of hit songs.

Now, I'm not a huge fan of the guy but I used Post Malone's song "Circles" as an example. Now, regardless if that's your taste in music or not, that song is a hit. It's not a masterpiece by any means, but that song is a proven hit and to me, that's an objective fact. If you wanna use the "formula" as to what defines a hit, apparently that song has been at #1 on the Billboard charts for around 3 weeks as far as my research goes. I personally don't believe that formula is what defines a hit but let's even remove that formula, I'd say any non-biased musician/artist who has a decent understanding and appreciation of the art and essence of music would agree that that song is or was a hit. That said, I could not get my friend out of his own way in realizing that. His theory was basically along the lines of "if it don't move me, it's not a hit". So I'm thinking, really.... so if I play Michael Jackson's "Thriller" and you don't drop everything and dance, it's not a hit and everyone else is just trippin? Okay.

I even went as far as using Aqua's "Barbie Girl" as another example. Not my cup of tea AT ALL but I'm the kinda person where I'm aware enough to not let my personal feelings and biases get in the way, therefore, I allow myself to be able to see things rationally and from a neutral perspective — but in that era, that song was a hit. In my opinion, a very annoying one — but a very catchy hit in its time.

I understand that music and art, in essence, are merely subjective but I also do believe that certain songs just make their mark and leaves little room for subjectivity.

How do you guys feel about this?

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alexennui t1_j1bpwyh wrote

No, they’re not subjective. They’re measured on sales/streams, so it’s nothing to do with quality.

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Slight_Purpose_9092 t1_j1clarq wrote

No, not in the least. Whether a song is a "hit" is defined by how successful and well known a song is, not how good it is. Probably the most common definition in the United States is that it reaches the Top 40 on the Billboard Hot 100.

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bloodyell76 t1_j1bqe18 wrote

Whether or not a song is a hit isn't subjective, if that's what you're asking. It's quite measurable, and has a definition. If it reached the top of the charts, it's a hit. That's what hits are. Now whether or not you like a song, or feel it should be a hit? This is quite subjective.

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MisterCrayle OP t1_j1c3a3y wrote

True. But I also feel (and this is my personal view) that one can not like something yet still be able to find the beauty in something without completely discrediting it simply because it's not your flavor. That was the issue. Circles is not a bad song by any means. It's a good, catchy song. There are also artists/musicians whom I would never play in my car and/or have absolutely zero interest in but have many great songs. Even numerous hit songs. Now that's either objective (or perhaps just my objective reality) or I am just way too appreciative of art.

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bloodyell76 t1_j1c3xrb wrote

It took me a while to get to the point of recognising why certain songs and artists are popular, even if I don't personally like them.

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Still no shortage of music where I cannot even begin to grasp why anyone would want to hear it even all the way through the one time, let alone propel it to the top of the charts.

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MichelleCNAugustine t1_j1bstr3 wrote

I believe that one can have a hit song with limited financing to market it. However, enough people must hear, like, and share a song for it to be a hit song. Subjectivity is not the main factor.

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LJHpowerful t1_j1buusm wrote

No, "a hit" is not subjective at all, it's based on numbers. Now, if it's actually "good", well that's personal preference and taste... and that's subjective.

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VlaxDrek t1_j1c1fl6 wrote

A “hit” is objective but also relative. For some artists & genres, just making the Hot 100 is a hit, while for others, peaking at #35 is a flop.

But there’s no subjectivity to it. It’s about numbers, what a group of people like, not just one person’s opinion.

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chef-keef t1_j1c31nc wrote

As Hesh says, a hit is a hit

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TheRNGuy t1_j1cjwu1 wrote

Idk maybe hit means "liked my many people", then it's objective.

Otherwise you could call any song you like no one heard about a hit.

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