[umich]

Also (when you return), please explain the difference between a Clear Channel radio deal and payola, because some of the members on here use the term "payola" loosely.

[Hector]

He's back on!

What's your favorite Madonna song?

[Mike91]

Originally posted by Cap10Planet

@Bwerde

Where does "Skyfall" rank as one of the most successful Bond themes?

I don't think accurate sales data is available pre-SoundScan era, is it?

[Brando]

Originally posted by Bwerde

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 think if Jive knew the Eagles' sales would count, they'd release Britney's album that same week?

[Hector]

Originally posted by Mike91

I don't think accurate sales data is available pre-SoundScan era, is it?

Duran Duran's "A View To A Kill" hit #1, but most Bond songs don't do that well on the charts.

[Cap10Planet]

Originally posted by Mike91

I don't think accurate sales data is available pre-SoundScan era, is it?

Bill has been able to rank songs pre-Soundscan. I don't think he just deals with Soundscan numbers. Hopefully, he can at least give where he thinks it would rank on all-time lists.

[CakeLike]

Hey Bill, who do you think from the current generation of pop stars will be most likely to have the longest career ?

[jinzo]

Bill, one I've always wanted to know....

The Hot Dance Club chart. Explain this one to your good sis Jinzo.

So I understand the logic- more spins in a club means better charting. But how do the songs that are at the top....get to the top? Can you honestly agree that Woman's World by Cher was the most "spinned" song in clubs across America in that week- more so than say. Blurred Lines or We Can't Stop? I'm looking right now- Kat DeLuna at #2? How are songs that- no shade- are essentially unknown to the wider general public so high-charting on here?

So, I suppose;

- Do you have a pre-set number of clubs that you track? How is the measuring of this chart actually done? Do you take a set sample of clubs each week, the same ones or ones at random?
- Do you have Billboard staff just researching certain DJ setlists to track this and then counting up the numbers?
- Do you consider this chart to really be a reliable and reflective source of the things that are actually being played out in clubs and therefore a reliable barometer of a song's popularity?

[Rainsford]

Originally posted by Bwerde

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.

hihihi

[jomarr]

Originally posted by Bwerde

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.

Wow, thank you Bill!

[boodytay]

Bill, can you verify that Taylor Swift sold over 1 million digital tracks in Christmas Week 2012? Because Billboard never officially announced it although when adding Nelson Soundscan numbers for her songs, the result is over a million.

[Cas]

Originally posted by umichgrad07

Also (when you return), please explain the difference between a Clear Channel radio deal and payola, because some of the members on here use the term "payola" loosely.

I co-sign this!

[Kyle.]

What's your fave Nicki Minaj song?

[fabian_phipps]

Originally posted by Lipton

This thread will be strictly moderated. Absolutely no shade or trolling.

Thanks, this is needed!
-----------------------------------

Hi Bill, as someone very interested in the music industry, how did you get to where you are today at Billboard? What would you recommend to someone who is still at school (I'm currently 16) to do to get themselves a career in this business.

P.S. I've already volunteered at a number of independent record labels in the UK.

[Bwerde]

Originally posted by Hector

Ooh I like this?

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.

[Hector]

Originally posted by jinzo

Bill, one I've always wanted to know....

The Hot Dance Club chart. Explain this one to your good sis Jinzo.

So I understand the logic- more spins in a club means better charting. But how do the songs that are at the top....get to the top? Can you honestly agree that Woman's World by Cher was the most "spinned" song in clubs across America in that week- more so than say. Blurred Lines or We Can't Stop? I'm looking right now- Kat DeLuna at #2? How are songs that- no shade- are essentially unknown to the wider general public so high-charting on here?

So, I suppose;

- Do you have a pre-set number of clubs that you track? How is the measuring of this chart actually done? Do you take a set sample of clubs each week, the same ones or ones at random?
- Do you have Billboard staff just researching certain DJ setlists to track this and then counting up the numbers?
- Do you consider this chart to really be a reliable and reflective source of the things that are actually being played out in clubs and therefore a reliable barometer of a song's popularity?

The Club chart is based on top 10 playlists from 150 DJ's, which is small when you consider how many DJ's are in the country. It's easy to manipulate too.

[Arcane_Sky]

Quick question to Mr. Werde:

• What is the dynamics regarding multiple purchases of a particular song downloaded and gifted on iTunes towards counting on BB Digital Songs?
• Does multiple purchase and gifting on one account on a certain circumstance only count as 1 download?
• If so what is the best way to purchase/gift a song multiple times without being counted as only 1 purchase?

Thank You.
BuyApplause on iTunes.
Stream Applause on YouTube.

[Rick]

Can you tell Mariah to hurry up and release "The Art Of Letting Go" ?

[Hector]

Originally posted by Bwerde

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.

Thanks for the concise & sophisticated reply!

[Brando]

Originally posted by jinzo

Bill, one I've always wanted to know....

The Hot Dance Club chart. Explain this one to your good sis Jinzo.

So I understand the logic- more spins in a club means better charting. But how do the songs that are at the top....get to the top? Can you honestly agree that Woman's World by Cher was the most "spinned" song in clubs across America in that week- more so than say. Blurred Lines or We Can't Stop? I'm looking right now- Kat DeLuna at #2? How are songs that- no shade- are essentially unknown to the wider general public so high-charting on here?

So, I suppose;

- Do you have a pre-set number of clubs that you track? How is the measuring of this chart actually done? Do you take a set sample of clubs each week, the same ones or ones at random?
- Do you have Billboard staff just researching certain DJ setlists to track this and then counting up the numbers?
- Do you consider this chart to really be a reliable and reflective source of the things that are actually being played out in clubs and therefore a reliable barometer of a song's popularity?

I think you will find all your answers here