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There is no new dynamic in play, this has been happening to just about every one hit wonder since recording was invented. Some stay, most go. The idea here is

by tisme 14y ago

There is no new dynamic in play, this has been happening to just about every one hit wonder since recording was invented. Some stay, most go. The idea here is that follow-through has to be made by everybody, artist, label and so on to take an opportunity like this and to turn it into a marketable brand. I'm reminded of: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IOu0DuxFAT0 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IOu0DuxFAT0 Which I'd never heard of before running into it on digg, it's musically mediocre, has a fantastic video but ultimately failed to convince me to go out and buy an album. The internet can't be given credit for the success and it can't be given the blame for subsequent failure, it is just a tool and how you use that tool is up to you. Caring about an artist means to go and visit their concerts, becoming a successful artist means that you're going to have to slog through the 'building a loyal fan base' trough of sorrow somehow and as far as I know outside of throwing huge marketing budgets after fan acquisition (talent optional) there are no short-cuts there. By the way, a similar issue faces websites, you may be able to get that front page on HN with your new offering but that won't make much difference in the long run, you'll still have to have the staying power and the determination to see it through for a long period without being sure if it is going to work out or not. And if you do the chances of it working out go up. Overnight success is not a right, and if you've been handed a free head-start you can't blame your tools if it subsequently does not pan out the way you intended.

FreeKill 14y ago
I agree with everything you said, but I don't think the article is blaming the internet for anything or even arguing that it was anyone's fault but the artist (and her management). It's mostly just the author pointing out how remarkable it is that the artist did have such a huge head start and was only able to capitalize on a small fraction of it.
- janto 14y ago
  If the article is not blaming the internet then "How the Internet Killed Carly Rae Jepsen" is a terrible title.
sirclueless 14y ago
Indeed, there are plenty of other bands/stars that have turned their internet fame into lasting success. For example, OK Go is still doing just fine, they found a niche and became really popular.
angrycoder 14y ago
> There is no new dynamic in play, this has been happening to just about every one hit wonder since recording was invented. Some stay, most go. The last 4 paragraphs of the article go on to describe exactly what the new dynamic is. In addition to the normal bombardment of hearing the song all the time, it is the additional flood of memes that the internet and social media bring about. As the article says: > In the past, the worst thing that could happen to the Song of the Summer was it being played to death. But in the digital age, the pitfalls are boundless. As “Call Me Maybe” is increasingly meme-ified, it runs the risk of becoming completely mummified. and > Simply put: when you think of “Somebody That I Used to Know,” you’re less likely to think of the man, Wally de Backer, but the meme. Both of you arguing about something that isn't even the main point of the article.
- tisme 14y ago
  Yes, but it is the flood of memes that allowed this person to get most of the exposure to begin with. The point I'm trying to - unsuccessfully it seems - make is that exposure is not enough. If it were then one hit wonders would not be one hit wonders. You can't ride on a wave and then complain that others are trying to ride that wave too, you especially can't blame the wave.
Turing_Machine 14y ago
More choice means fewer monolithic megahits. It's like television. In the days when there were only three networks, a hit show might have a Nielsen rating of 60, meaning that 60 percent of all the people watching television in the United States were watching the show. Millions of viewers. Millions. Nowadays, the top-rated show might have a rating of 12. The future of music is very likely to be more one-hit wonders, with a few artists who attain long-lasting (but modest) success. There's just too much choice. This is largely a good thing, IMO, especially for the artists as a group (obviously it's not as good for the few who would have been anointed as the kings and queens).

by tisme 14y ago

FreeKill 14y ago

I agree with everything you said, but I don't think the article is blaming the internet for anything or even arguing that it was anyone's fault but the artist (and her management). It's mostly just the author pointing out how remarkable it is that the artist did have such a huge head start and was only able to capitalize on a small fraction of it.

janto 14y ago
If the article is not blaming the internet then "How the Internet Killed Carly Rae Jepsen" is a terrible title.

sirclueless 14y ago

Indeed, there are plenty of other bands/stars that have turned their internet fame into lasting success. For example, OK Go is still doing just fine, they found a niche and became really popular.

angrycoder 14y ago

> There is no new dynamic in play, this has been happening to just about every one hit wonder since recording was invented. Some stay, most go. The last 4 paragraphs of the article go on to describe exactly what the new dynamic is. In addition to the normal bombardment of hearing the song all the time, it is the additional flood of memes that the internet and social media bring about. As the article says: > In the past, the worst thing that could happen to the Song of the Summer was it being played to death. But in the digital age, the pitfalls are boundless. As “Call Me Maybe” is increasingly meme-ified, it runs the risk of becoming completely mummified. and > Simply put: when you think of “Somebody That I Used to Know,” you’re less likely to think of the man, Wally de Backer, but the meme. Both of you arguing about something that isn't even the main point of the article.

tisme 14y ago
Yes, but it is the flood of memes that allowed this person to get most of the exposure to begin with. The point I'm trying to - unsuccessfully it seems - make is that exposure is not enough. If it were then one hit wonders would not be one hit wonders. You can't ride on a wave and then complain that others are trying to ride that wave too, you especially can't blame the wave.

Turing_Machine 14y ago

More choice means fewer monolithic megahits. It's like television. In the days when there were only three networks, a hit show might have a Nielsen rating of 60, meaning that 60 percent of all the people watching television in the United States were watching the show. Millions of viewers. Millions. Nowadays, the top-rated show might have a rating of 12. The future of music is very likely to be more one-hit wonders, with a few artists who attain long-lasting (but modest) success. There's just too much choice. This is largely a good thing, IMO, especially for the artists as a group (obviously it's not as good for the few who would have been anointed as the kings and queens).