PG Music Home Forums General Discussion Songwriting Hot 100 Challenge

As BIAB has once again come under scrutiny as to whether or not it can create modern sounding music I am challenging anyone interested to create a current top 100 style song.

Here are the basic rules:

1.Write and record an original song using BIAB that sounds similar to what is on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The chart can be found at https://www.billboard.com/charts/hot-100 (You will notice that the chart has a wide variety of genres and style.)

2. Post it to the user showcase forum and use the hashtag #Hot100 in your post.

3. Share the song link here.

It's that simple. I hope that with some of the talented musicians here that we can put this subject to rest once and for all.

(If you use one of the songs on the chart as inspiration please mention it in your post so that others can listen and compare.)

Yikes. I hope this didn't "put it to rest" already. I waited to reply to see if anyone else was going to join in. A LOT of talk about it; and now crickets.

Just some quick clarification if I could please my good man :

1-Would this be using BIAB exclusively? Or is is it using BIAB as we see fit within the song; and able to use anything else as well?

2-Is there a deadline for this? I'm a bit busy the beginning of the month but may be able to make time more towards the middle to end. Not sure yet.

Thanks. Cool idea. I would like to see where it goes.

first, you have to be able to write something comparable.

Second, you have to be able to translate what's in your head, to a finished wave.

There's a huge amount of skill involved in both sections of this challenge.

Third... who's to say what the next hit will sound like?

Having said all that.... yeah, it is possible to use BB to do this. At least I believe it is possible. Considerable time would be spent in the DAW recording live tracks and editing the BB/RT files to make it sound totally hip and cool and modern.

I didn't see any country in that chart, and I'm not about to try writing a hip-hop song which is a genre I know nothing about. Regarding what's considered "modern and cool" in country music is totally up to the listener's definition. There's Luke Bryant and the other "rap/hip hop" influenced guys, then there's Chris Stapleton, and the others who still slam dunk a country ballad. Worlds apart, but still country hits playing on the radio.

I thought her would be more interest too but maybe the users here just aren't interested in creating songs that sound like what's on the charts.

To answer your questions...
1. You can use BIAB in conjunction with other programs however you see fit to complete the challenge.

2. No time limits. Whenever you get a chance to create something is great.

There is a lot of work and skill involved in this kind of production but I'm sure that our talented community of musicians here are capable of completing the challenge.

There are a hand full of country artists on this chart including Kenny Chesney, Jason Aldean, Luke Combs,Shane Brown, Sugar Land,Florida Georgia Line and Chris Stapleton. I'm actually impressed with the diversity of styles and genres on this chart.

Yep.... didn't look close enough.

These are the comments that get me labeled a troll...

Country songs on that chart :

29-Heaven/Kane Brown
38-You Make It Easy/Jason Aldean
62-Most People Are Good/Luke Bryan
63-Tequila/Dan + Shay
67-Singles You Up/Jordan Davis
68-One Number Away/Luke Combs
72-Babe/Sugland Featuring Taylor Swift
80-I Lived It/Blake Shelton
82-Get Along/Kenny Chesney
84-UpDown/Morgan Wallen Featuring Florida Georgia Line
85-The Long Way/Brett Eldredge
86-For The First Time/Darius Rucker
88-Woman,Amen/Dierks Bentley
95-Everything's Gonna Be Alright/David Lee Murphy & Kenny Chesney
96-Cry Pretty/Carrie Underwood

But then again, what would I know.

Herb, to be clear this has nothing to do with you. I know damn well you would know those are country songs.

[/quote]I thought her would be more interest too but maybe the users here just aren't interested in creating songs that sound like what's on the charts.[/quote]

I was really hoping there would be. Talk is cheap. I respect what you are doing.



Well played! Sounds like a plan to me.



Cool. Give me a little time. I'm all in. I'm excited to hear what you do as well. I'm still hoping others will step up.

There really are songs beyond the rap genre on the charts..and not just country either.

I fear people listen to a few and give up listening. I think that may be part of the problem with people tuning out because of what they don't like. They miss out on something new they would.

And that's where limitation starts, and learning ends, closing your mind.

I am working on a Loop-based song, the intent of which is to see what that is like. Some of the Loops are from the BIAB Loop folder (so it is a valid Showcase entry).

Since it is more "of the modern persuasion" than my usual, I suppose it will fit with the challenge. It is not patterned after anything from the list... but by the nature of what it is, is an attempt to find that "modern thing"...

If you're in, I'm out. I don't need you to make me look armature. I can do that very well on my own, thank you very much.

Truth be told, I'm so pumped you are doing this. Really, really cool of you!

Sorry... you cannot back out. It's already in writing...

Pony up.

Before I enter I only have one question.

Is there a fire extinguisher in the PG Music server room?

LOL... I'm not sure but we'll have the fire department on stand by for that hot number you are going to create.

Would this be for after you enter?

Lord helps us all!

Yeah I'll tell you people this.

You better have a fire extinguisher by the sound board because I'm about to burn this place down.

I may even dedicate it to you HTL if you agree to say uncle when I show you what kick [*****] really is. You want to learn and I'm about to show you how it's done.

Deal?

Uh oh... David is throwing down lol

Just found this post. Will have a think. My brain hurts.

Ok...sort of off topic, but I never knew that the censor *** comes off when you hit "quote" to reply. You can see the word in the reply screen. Weird.

Also, I don't know that I've ever had to put quotation marks around the word "quote" before. And now I've had to do it twice.

Sorry for the "shiny objects."

Of course I would say "uncle." I don't have the ego many seem to think I have.

It does have to adhere to the parameters set forth though. So, it would have to sound as a reasonable attempt at something that sounds like it would be on the Hot 100 chart. It can't just be "I think my song kicks arse, therefor it does and you don't know what you're talking about if you don't" kind of thing. Just my opinion, of course. I think Eddie summed it up best when he said "Motown is modern to me"...or something along those lines.

I'm very excited. I love hearing what people come up with and have really enjoyed your songs. I may be WAY off the mark with what I do; but I'm cool with it and would admit it if that was the case. It's a learning experience either way. So, a "win" by me.

So Professor Snyder; class is in session. I'm excited for the learning to begin. Teach me what you know my good man.

I am guided by my own inner flame HTL.

I am not interested in wasting tons of time on creating a joke.

My only interest over the past three years has been showing how BIAB can help push boundaries.

I also am not interested in anyone's definition of modern because that bores me.

The future is the only thing that interests me.

With that in mind, I have some producing to do.

I make up my own rules.

See you on the other side.

I know you do and completely respect that. I'm glad you do too. It's always interesting for me to hear what you come up with. Very enjoyable all the way around.

I was simply stating what the thread is attempting to accomplish and I wasn't sure if you were at odds with it. I'm still not sure if you are.

To me, it feels a bit like you are saying you couldn't care less what's on the charts; you are going to do your own thing like nothing on the charts to show us what real music is. If that's the case; you aren't really in line with what the OP is trying to accomplish, I believe. I may be wrong with his intentions; and I may be wrong with yours. Clarify if you would like.

For what it's worth, I would love to hear your song whether or not it fits into the idea of this thread. I love your creativity and execution.

So the ONLY question I'm asking is, will we need the fire extinguisher in this thread, or a different one? I know something big is going to drop somewhere.

I bet those "modern" grapes are sour anyway!

Hey, I went through the hundred and there isn't much country on the billboard right now...and I checked out the songs that where there and I just can't muster up any inspiration. But I did get inspired to write a song about the way I feel about not getting any inspiration. Took me about 10 minutes to crank it out. I haven't run it through the box yet... I but will.

Actually there are 15 country songs on the chart as HTL pointed out and there are also 2 other country artists that have collaborations on the chart. That may not seem like a lot but it's over 1/6 of the chart. I don't think that's bad at all. I can remember back when you wouldn't find a single country song on the pop charts.

Aye, and therein lies the rub, Dan.

But you can't say it. Actually some can but others can't. You will be safer if you put a bag on your head, never post an actual song and just make snarky comments from behind your mask.

But the Wizard will occasionally demand that you bring him a broomstick. Trouble is, it will always be the wrong broomstick, and you will hear the invisible tuneless monkeys cackling in the background.

Welcome to Oz!!!!

No seriously man, JUST BE YOURSELF.

Be yourself and ignore any and all gibberish. Especially ignore the dreaded, fearsome and all powerful Men Behind the Curtain.

Post YOUR tune and welcome to the forum!!!!!

when person A posts something and person B says "I disagree", what that means is, person B disagrees with person A. it is usually that simple. no need to imagine nefarious motives or assume the role of victim. typically, they just disagree with you. and that's...OK!

Sounds like a win to me. Can't wait to hear it. Nice turn around on inspiration btw! Welcome to the forums.

Not sure I want to clog up the main forum board quite yet, but hey, I just talked to Hear to Learn on the phone for like an hour and was scratching my head on how to do a Rolling Stones soundalike for SongTradr.

But now, I know how to write a hit and Hear to Learn is my new best buddy!

Thank you Hear to Learn!!

Do you think this will ever get on the charts? Is it politically correct? Should I post it on the forum in a few days???




https://soundcloud.com/david-snyder-gigs2/jumping-town

Jumping Town
By David Snyder

V1

I should have known
after dark
You don’t go walking
In Central Park
Behind a bush
I could not see
A man in a black dress
Starting jumping over me
He was jumping up
And he was jumping down
He was jumping side to side
And he was jumping all around

CH

And you gotta watch your back
When there’s nowhere left to hide
You got to hold your junk
When you cannot run inside
You got to watch your business
Keep both feet on the ground
When you’re walking in the darkness
of Jumping Town

V2

There was a pretty divorcee
Who wasn’t divorced yet
She was married to the devil
And they had made a bet
They lived in Southampton
Never worked a day
But when the night came along
The mice would play
She played me for a fool
And I’m not finished yet
She stole all I had
Now I’m forever in her debt

CH

And you gotta watch your back
When there’s nowhere left to hide
You got to hold your junk
When you cannot run inside
You got to watch your business
Keep both feet on the ground
When you’re walking in the darkness
of Jumping Town

Bridge

You can cry ‘til your eyes are bleedin’
But you’ll never get what you need
You can want it all you want baby
But sometimes
You got to let it bleed

CH

And you gotta watch your back
When there’s nowhere left to hide
You got to hold your junk
When you cannot run inside
You got to watch your business
Keep both feet on the ground
When you’re walking in the darkness
of Jumping Town

All music and lyrics copyright David Snyder 2018, ASCAP/Day of Faith Records

How about this.... I will listen through the hot 20 and commit to creating my best attempt at a full up redo of the first 2 minutes of one of the songs.

Disclaimer: I do not use any PG products

Why 2 minutes only? Most pop tunes these days vary production and flavor elements so many times in a full song, 2 minutes will take a whole bunch of critical listening and note taking that will translate into a couple of weeks at least of music making time. I will only post in this thread to avoid confusion about the source.

I did this once before for the kvraudio.com monthly song contest and the exercise was eye opening. I covered Beck’s “The Golden Age”.

I would challenge everyone in the thread to try a cover like this.

I will also share my listening notes and production notes in the attempt to copy it

I would love to hear your result but this may belong in a different thread as this is for songs created with BIAB.

Ha ha ha ha ha ha!!!!!

This is hilarious. Yeah, I would love to hear it too, because I use a mixture of stuff always, not just BIAB.

But to be on a BIAB forum and say "Well I don't use Band in a Box, actually..."

I don't know that just made me laugh really hard.

That was funny.

Note: this is not a BIAB forum, it is a PGMusic forum category on songwriting.

I used to use Power Tracks Pro Audio back in the 90s and early 2000s.


In my opinion, a ‘sound like’ challenge is much more an arrangement and production challenge than it is a songwriting challenge.

I will pick one of the hot100 sounds and write out what arrangement and instrumentation and production are being used for each section, then post that here. The actual reproduction I will create will only be available through private message upon request.

I got it man, and I can't wait to hear your song, I just thought it was funny that is all.

It just made me laugh.

I have borrowed the following songs from my library through the hoopla app to have a listen to some of these songs:

Perfect - Ed. Sheeran
Whatever It Takes - Imagine Dragons
Wait - Maroon 5
Most People Are Good - Luke Bryan

I will pick from one of those that seems interesting and a challenge.

Anyone else care to join the fun?

Listened through these and the two that most closely match my past style and available instrumentation are the Ed Sheeran and Imagine Dragons tunes.

I love the enthusiasm and the creativity that I'm seeing in this thread so far! Great stuff!

Great David. Loved the track, but as a POM, I'm not sure about the English Accent. lol.

Thanks Lambada!

But wait..


What's a POM???

David,

A 'pom' is an Australian term for a person from England.

Over the years it's been used in both a derogatory as well as a friendly, playful manner. These days it would be considered bad taste mostly unless it was used by a person from England when speaking about themselves.

In other words, it's ok for Neil to call himself a pom but it's not something that I should do.

I've never used the word myself.

Regards,
Noel

Perfect answer Noel.

Interesting challenge. I've just listened to 60 of the Top 100 songs - and already sketched out some ideas.

This is a really interesting challenge - I've heard a couple already, but I'm excited to see what people come up with for this

#HOT 100 CHALLENGE
I found a tune in the Top 100 to write about.
I wrote a song to sound like the present #1 hit "Nice For What".
I just wrote the lyrics and if someone wants to put some music with it, feel free to help yourself. If you want to change the lyrics, go ahead.
I named it " Bring Them Cats Home"
WARNING: CONTAINS EXSPLISICK EARLICKS..
(spoken with male voice) "Heads up all you Texas motherf'n Texas nibbas"
(Female backup singers..repeat throughout entire song)
Baby I can't fish wit you
Ain't got no bait
Give me, forgive me
Fish wit out me today

Lead singer(Spoken) Hey you Texas shirt....turds on the beach

This is song is for ya'll to throw up to, ya know
(Rap the vocals from here)
Yo Hey Texas get your motherf'n jeans on
I know a place on the creek and it's tone bone
Went there last weeks and got some cats on
Some night crawler motherfers I hooked on
(Keep repeating female backup parts)
Baby I can't fish wit you
Ain't got no bait
Give me, forgive me
Fish wit out me today
This one nibba f'er was fishing my side
Motherfer kept tanglin' my line
I told that nibba get yor [*****] down the creek some
Get out my face so I can do some fishun'
Baby I can't fish wit you
Ain't got no bait
Give me, forgive me
Fish wit out me today
Get your line out, hit that f'in hole
Got to keep it tight, make it right
Bring that motherf'in cat home
That's right nibba, bring them cat's home
Baby I can't fish wit you
Ain't got no bait
Give me, forgive me
Fish wit out me today

Baby I can't fish wit you
Ain't got no bait
Give me, forgive me
Fish wit out me today
That's a big one that your catchin'
On a cane pole, quit your [*****]'
Down on da river, fishin' wit my nibba
Got a cane pole, fishin' wit my nibba
You got it nibba brang em on in
Hang 'em all up and pull of some skin

This song is for ya'll to throw up to
Hey Tex get your motherf'in jeans on
I know a place on a creek and it's tone bone
Went last week got some cats on
Some night crawler motherfers I hooked on

Let's catch 'em catch 'em on a pole
Get up nibba, get f'in jeans on
Come on nibba, put down that cell phone
Get some bait on, bring some cats home, get some grease on

(Old man's voice here)
These poles...…...your bait...….my truck..
A creek bank....
(Female chorus here twice)
Nibba gotta catch a cat...gotta catch cat..catch a cat..
Catch a cat....catch a cat....
Bait it on nibba...bait it on....bait it on...bait it on..get it on ..

Have fun...(or not)
C. Dan