Spotify engagement metrics are seriously important for a song’s success. But so are a bunch of other ‘big data’ factors, including Shazam.
As the music industry becomes increasingly data-driven, a number of major data hubs are sticking out. Simply put: if you’ve got good data on a core platform, it’s a great sign of future success.
Perhaps Spotify tops the list of important data platforms, though Shazam matches are also a serious indicator of interest. After all, people rarely try to identify songs that don’t catch their interest.
Which means when they do make a match, there’s usually a well-targeted person doing it. Collectively, aggregated match data indicates whether something is grabbing attention and making an impact.
It’s also offers critical information about artists, songwriters, and producers alike. Case in point: Willy William, the French-Mauritian DJ behind J Balvin’s recent smash, ‘Mi Gente’. Williams hails from Champagne, and was the most-Shazam’d French artist in 2016.
Something about Williams’ style clicks —big time —and you could see it in the data. “‘Mi Gente’ was produced by French DJ Willy William, who’s been statistically shown to capture people’s attention,” writes Genius, an awesome lyrical annotation service now baked into Spotify.
“In 2016, he was the most Shazam’d French artist in the world.”
Balvin hails from Medellin, but was well aware of Williams’ work. And, his proven ability to grab people’s attention. And so a data-driven, cross-continental musical marriage was born.
Meanwhile, back in bars, restaurants, and Ubers everywhere, people are matching songs they love. Or, nostalgically remember.
Here’s are the most Shazam’d tracks of 2017, per information supplied by the company.
1. Ed Sheeran, “Shape of You”
2. Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee featuring Justin Bieber, “Despacito”
3. Clean Bandit featuring Sean Paul & Anne-Marie, “Rockabye”
4. Charlie Puth, “Attention”
5. The Weeknd featuring Daft Punk, “I Feel It Coming”
6. J Balvin & Willy William featuring Beyonce, “Mi Gente”
7. Kygo & Selena Gomez, “It Ain’t Me”
8. The Chainsmokers & Coldplay, “Something Just Like This”
9. Harry Styles, “Sign of The Times”
10. Burak Yeter featuring Danelle Sandoval, “Tuesday”
11. Ofenbach, “Be Mine”
12. Calvin Harris featuring Pharrell Williams, Katy Perry & Big Sean, “Feels”
13. Portugal. The Man, “Feel It Still”
14. Imagine Dragons, “Believer”
15. Kaleo, “Way Down We Go”
Another interesting slice-and-dice is to look at IDs per category. Because, why not. So here’s the top-matched song for each genre.
Pop: Ed Sheeran, “Shape of You”
Hip Hop: French Montana featuring Swae Lee, “Unforgettable”
Rock: Imagine Dragons, “Believer”
Dance: The Chainsmokers & Coldplay, “Something Just Like This”
Country: Sam Hunt, “Body Like A Back Road”
R&B/Soul: The Weeknd featuring Daft Punk, “I Feel It Coming”
Overall, Ed Sheeran was the most Shazam’d song of the year.
Which isn’t exactly surprising, given his meteoric numbers across most platforms. Accordingly, Sheeran’s data is incredible, which is because millions of fans thing his music is incredible. Pretty easy analysis.
Image by StockSnap (CC0)
I am curious if Shazam, Google (the biggest Shazam) or Soundhound have ever PAID FOR THOSE SONGS?
All three have acquired those tunes into their data base and all three process them at the request of the STRANGERS to provide relevant information CONCLUDING IN THEFT of the tune in most of the cases.
This is by no meanes FAIR USE.
I would call it willingful participation in dismantling of music business! All three should be subject to $200,000 per tune penalty for possession and misuse of someone’s intellectual property.
Smart lawyer should be able the make a precedence and put $200K x40M tunes = $8 TRILLION dollar liability in front of each MOOCH!
Yes, it is almost half of federal debt and more than 10x current Google’s capitalization.
You are insufferable.