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As many of you know, Bill Werde, Editorial Director of Billboard, has recently joined ATRL.
Introduction
Quote:
Originally posted by Bwerde
Hi. My name is Bill Werde. I love all sorts of music -- my top 100 songs traverse rock pop country dance Latin new old etc. But I love this forum - which I discovered as a common thread behind many of the most passionate and informed pop fans on Twitter - because many of the posters here take pop as seriously as I do.
I believe the world is a good place and that people are fundamentally good, and I try to take actions every day to make others believe in that too. I love acts of kindness, generosity and intelligence. I work to have tolerance and empathy for those who are still learning to have it themselves.
I was a raver in the mid 90s and that music and scene changed my life and gave me a career. Most people don't dance often enough.
If you want to know anything else, just ask! Thank you to those of you who graciously invited me to joined your hallowed posting halls.
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ALREADY-ANSWERED QUESTIONS:
Favorite artists?
Presently faves include Janelle Monae, P!nk, Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, Miranda Lambert, Luke Bryan, Frank Ccean, Miguel, Drake, Kanye West, Ed Sheeran. All-time faves tend toward the classics: Ramones, Velvet Underground, Johnny Cash, Beatles, NWA.
Bill sis can u sneak Gaga in the top3 this week?
Just in case anyone really doesn't understand: the billboard charts are pure math. Tho I never share my personal wishes for the charts, that's are plenty of times I'm disappointed or surprised or elated by the results. But I cannot affect them.
Does Xfinity OnDemand count for streaming?
Dunno. Will check.
Are there changes soon to come in the billboard chart data format from the hot 100 (as we have seen the inclusion of streaming sites and youtube)?
What should be included that isn't? Nothing planned right now, but we stay nimble. Presently considering the album chart and how/if to count giveaways a la Magna Carta
Bill, are you disappointed with Applause's chart position?
No. For a leaked/rushed first week and a lyrically atypical (for hot 100) song I think it's doing well.
Do you have an access to Nielsen Soundscan data? If yes, are you willing to post the requested data on ATRL?
I do have access. But I don't give it away. That said, I'm sure I'll cite numbers in context at times.
Hey Bill, do you like Taylor Swift's music?/What do you think of Taylor Swift?
I'm a fan, of her music and of her personally. We put her on billboard.com playing our cafeteria before anyone knew her. So I feel a sense of pride at her career development. I've spoken to her over the years and I'm always impressed with her dedication to fans and her interest in being a good person.
Do you believe The Wanted will ever have another chart hit in the US?
I think they may have one building now? Have to see how "night" is doing
Leak ARTPOP.
No. I'm very anti piracy and very pro artist rights to control the distribution of their art.
Hey Bill, what exactly happened with the sudden rule change when BLACKOUT (AKA THE GREATEST POP ALBUM OF THE LAST DECADE) was snatched off her #1 throne?
This was before I had oversight of the charts. But the chart director at the time went into the week thinking we couldn't get accurate data from Walmart on an exclusive (the Eagles album) and then Walmart came to the table with verifiable data. The reality was - and this is from memory so I could be off a little - the Eagles sold roughly twice as many copies as Britney that week. The Eagles unquestionably had the top v selling album in the US that week and so the head of the charts dept made the call that the charts being accurate was the most important thing.
The rest, as they say, is history.
Do you like how electronic dance music has changed since the '90s? Oh and, The Beatles or the Rolling Stones?
Dance was a ghetto when I went to raves - a style of music that was largely confined to the clubs, and a few more progressive producers like timbaland. Today dance production dominates almost every format at radio - its even creeping into country!
Can't say I like one better than the other, though I guess I liked it better when there was more diversity on the radio. Either way, we can all listen to what we want to, when we want, now more than ever.
Can't pick between Beatles and Stones. It's like choosing between eating and breathing. Sorry.
And do you think LORDe will smash on the HOT 100?
Yes VERY bullish on Lorde right now. Amazing songwriter and presence for her age. Or for most ages.
What's your fave Nicki Minaj song?
Super Bass. I once rapped a verse onstage in front of 300 people from the music biz, including Nicki! But I changed lyrics to be about executives in the audience. I won't be quitting my day job anytime soon.
BEYONCÉ, Britney, or Gags? JANET, Mariah, or Whintey? AALIYAH, Brandy, or Monica?
I've loved music from all of these artists. So picking one is NOT shade to another. But: Britney - by far, the hardest of the three sets to choose my winner. Whitney, and Aaliyah
Is Nicki Minaj the best female rapper to ever grace the Billboard charts?
I'm not sure who is on top based on all-time chart points. But personally, I think I'd still put salt n pepa just a notch ahead. Left Eye belongs in conversation too. But Nicki could be my top with another great song or two.
BILL, can you tell the whole community of ATRL how did this ACTUALLY happen? (Ciara becoming Woman of the Year)
I can't. She was the last WoY picked before I took over editorial/content/charts for Billboard, including choosing WoY
Who is your favorite female indie artist (Lana, Lorde, Sky Ferreira, Charli XCX, etc.) of the moment? And who do you see going mainstream first?
Lorde. And she's going mainstream right now.
What's your favorite Whitney Houston album and song?
Her first album. And "I will always love you" remains one of the greatest recorded vocals of all time.
the desperation
