The Song Machine: How to Make a Hit

A second single, “Quit Playing Games (With My Heart),” was selected from the batch that had been recorded back in June 1995 at Cheiron.

“My Prerogative.”

In the late 1940s, the record industry began to promote these groups under the label “rhythm-and-blues,” a term invented by a white Billboard

“Shack Up,” a song by Banbarra,

Big Mama Thornton (“Hound Dog”)

Al Jolson’s ivories

“Why Does It Hurt So Bad” to Whitney;

In her 2014 book Blockbusters, Harvard Business School professor Anita Elberse showed how mega hits have become more important across the whole entertainment industry. “Smart executives bet heavily on a few likely winners. That’s where the big payoffs come from,” she writes.

“Jimmy always says it’s all about the connection between the artist and the fans,” he says. “This whole business, it’s just about that connection. And, clearly, people feel that connection with the girls.”