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The Billboard Wayback Machine is an interactive that lets you explore the Billboard charts spanning from 1964 to 2011
posted by gwint on Oct 18, 2011 - 12 comments

Econblogger Tyler Cowen asked his readers What is the most neglected and underrated *accessible* pop music album? 154 and counting answers range from Animal Collective's Merriweather Post Pavilion to the 1960s band Honeybus and everything in between. One comment points to an interesting possible answer [Previously on mefi] to why a good album never catches on. "Short answer might be that we are social animals and don’t make these decisions independently and as a result, even tiny, random fluctuations can blow up, generating potentially enormous long-run differences among even indistinguishable competitors" [more inside]
posted by Blake on May 9, 2011 - 100 comments

Johnny Hallyday is perhaps best known to most Americans as French President Nicolas Sarkozy's BFF and "Special American Advisor" (and to younger French kids as that actor in the Optic 2000 ads), but his career started in 1960 and has only now slowed with what has been named his farewell tour. Though he began his career with many Aznavour-penned tracks, he swiftly became a household name by covering British and American hits and adapting them into French. [more inside]
posted by nonmerci on Aug 24, 2009 - 29 comments

Casey Kasem, the voice of Shaggy and Robin, and possibly the most prominent Lebanese American vegan in broadcast history, has called it quits from all manner of countdowns. Keep reaching for the stars, Casey, and we'll try not to piss you off.
posted by ericbop on Jul 7, 2009 - 58 comments

You know how some songs are really catchy and you wonder if the hooks could be engineered to make people like the song? A company called Polyphonic HMI has created software they call "Hit Song Science" which is supposed to contain algorithms that determine if a song is likely to be a hit. The company is touting their first attempt at using HSS in the marketplace as a success. [via furdlog]
posted by mathowie on Mar 10, 2004 - 44 comments

Every single UK chart position from 1952 to 2003. EveryHit.com is a searchable database of every single artist that's charted in the UK Top 40 chart, EVER. It's fully searchable by date, artist, chart position - everything. Want to find out how many times your favourite band charted, and when, and for how long? It's all here. There's also more statistics and all sorts of trivia and records than you could shake a stick at! Win your next pub quiz armed with this information!
posted by metaxa on Nov 12, 2003 - 9 comments

Spin Magazine continues pathetic slide into utter mediocrity. Our Top 40 may not move as many units as 'N Sync once did, but then again, neither does 'N Sync. And by highlighting such unknown, airplay-deprived and impoverished artists as Jay-Z, U2, Linkin Park and Creed, Spin proves just how far they've sunk. Hey, Spin? Your cred called to laugh at you.
posted by solistrato on Apr 26, 2002 - 29 comments

I'm sorry, but who am I speaking to now? At the risk of turning Mefi into PopBitch, UK chart toppers 'Atomic Kitten' appeared on the BBC's rolling news radio station FiveLive this afternoon and proved that despite all the ex-DJs who are working on the station, they should stay well away from anyone who's appeared in the old Gallup top 40. To hear this stunning (as in stunningly embarassing) interview, click here and then click the little speaker icon next to 'Listen to the Kittens and Fi' - sorry but it's Real Audio only. Be quick. Don't know how long it'll be there.
posted by feelinglistless on Apr 26, 2001 - 13 comments