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The Secret Science of Pop

Professor Armand Leroi, an evolutionary biologist, explores the 'scientific history of pop music' and attempts to use the data to create a hit record with producer Trevor Horn.

Evolutionary biologist Professor Armand Leroi believes data science can transform the pop world. He gathers a team of scientists and researchers to analyse over 50 years of UK chart music. Can algorithms find the secret to pop success?

When the results are in, Armand teams up with hit producer Trevor Horn. Using machine-learning techniques, Armand and Trevor try to take a song by unsigned artist Nike Jemiyo and turn it into a potential chart-topper.

Armand also takes a scientific look at pop evolution. He hunts for the major revolutions in his historic chart data, looking for those artists who transformed the musical landscape. The outcomes are fascinating and surprising, though fans of the Fab Four may not be pleased with the results. As Armand puts it, the hallmark of The Beatles is 'average'.

Finally, by teaming up with 大象传媒 research and development, Armand finds out if his algorithms can discover the stars of the future. Can he predict which of thousands of demo tracks uploaded to 大象传媒 Introducing is most likely to be a hit without listening to a note?

This is a clash of science and culture and a unique experiment with no guarantee of success. How will the artists react to the scientist intruding on their turf? And will Armand succeed in finding a secret science of pop?

59 minutes

Last on

Fri 22 Mar 2019 21:00
大象传媒 Four

Music Played

Timings (where shown) are from the start of the programme in hours and minutes

  • 00:00

    Britney Spears

    Baby One More Time

  • 00:02

    OutKast

    Hey Ya!

  • 00:03

    13th Floor Elevators

    You're Gonna Miss Me

  • 00:04

    Kraftwerk

    Autobahn

  • 00:07

    Buggles

    Video Killed The Radio Star

  • 00:08

    Frankie Goes to Hollywood

    Relax

  • 00:10

    Justin Bieber

    Baby

  • 00:10

    Vanilla Ice

    Ice Ice Baby

  • 00:11

    Vanilla Ice

    Ice Ice Baby

  • 00:12

    Adele

    Someone Like You

  • 00:12

    Buggles

    The Plastic Age

  • 00:15

    Simon & Garfunkel

    Mrs. Robinson

  • 00:16

    The Hollies

    Rockin' Robin

  • 00:17

    The Kinks

    You Really Got Me

  • 00:18

    The Who

    It's Not True

  • 00:19

    The Beatles

    Love Me Do

  • 00:21

    The Beatles

    Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band

  • 00:24

    Kylie Minogue

    Can't Get You Out Of My Head

  • 00:28

    David Bowie

    Fame

  • 00:29

    Sex Pistols

    God Save The Queen

  • 00:31

    Sister Sledge

    We Are Family

  • 00:32

    Bee Gees

    Stayin' Alive

  • 00:32

    Sex Pistols

    Anarchy In The U.K.

  • 00:36

    Grace

    You Don't Own Me (feat. 骋鈥怑补锄测)

  • 00:40

    Rick Astley

    Never Gonna Give You Up

  • 00:40

    补鈥恏补

    Take On Me

  • 00:41

    Culture Club

    Karma Chameleon

  • 00:43

    Avicii

    Levels

  • 00:44

    Earth, Wind & Fire

    Boogie Wonderland (feat. The Emotions)

  • 00:46

    The Bay Rays

    New Home

Credits

Presenter Armand Leroi
Participant Trevor Horn
Participant Nike Jemiyo
Executive Producer Steve Crabtree
Producer Tom Hewitson
Director Tom Hewitson

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