What Exactly is a Formula Song?

Do you ever wonder why some songs come out, get pushed (progressively) and "everyone" likes them?

'Everyone' meaning: someone is strange to not go along with the popular appreciation of the context-providing thing - in this case, a song.

They're 'formula songs'.

I'll try to skim the surface of this fact of reality that all successful music producers know about.

A main part of a 'formula song' is the avoidance of activities that are unpopular in the musical genre or international society. This element is most easily comprehended under the title of "A focus on marketability".

Crucially, a 'formula song' is one that is able to have its vocal melody replaced easily with a non-percussive musical instrument, say a saxophone, trumpet, piano or synthesizer, and still sound good, possibly even better.

The melody or rhythmic tone of vocals in a 'formula song' is "universally marketable", meaning that your understanding of the dialect in use is not actually required for you to be expected to enjoy the song... Sort of meaning that the words don't really matter.

Words do matter, but only in a reverse manner.  As in: the lyrics of a 'formula song' could be replaced with gibberish and still work - but when actual words are there, 'wrong' things can be said. The 'right' words are the ones that are the ones least objectionable in the context of the genre.

For example, it's 'right' or recommendable to deliver words in lyrics to the effect of 'I'm better than you, you're worthless' within hip hop - but 'wrong' to say 'forget about my friends'. 

Whereas in country or rock it's the opposite. Customs are genre specific and a formula song takes them as a fundamental consideration in its construction.

Understandings of this dynamic account for and represent the common usage of the musical genre. Whether it is used for advertising, exercise, hype, relaxing etc.

Another aspect of a 'formula song' is a focus on recognisability of the instrumentation. Logistically, producers of songs just copying what their peers and idols have done - not going too far 'outside the box' and doing things that are popular while doing them relatively exceptionally.

The best of a genre (a formula song) is one that takes from and represents all the upheld tenants and aspects of the genre but skilfully maximises a few or many of them.

What people refer to as "sources of inspiration", that which provide recognisability and beneficial familiarity, actually come from all genres of music. That is, at least the other genres acceptable in the genre - e.g. A Navaho tribal influence will not typically fit well in pop, for whatever reasons, but would be expected to suit well in more open genres, such as folk or, the 'polar opposite' house dance music.

Also, a 'formula song' generally should aim to incorporate memorable phrases, new or pre-existing. This technique aids a song's 'catchiness' and instantaneous acceptance.

For the people who are wondering "How the hell do you make a hit record "

As popular sounds progressively change, all of these aforementioned things (+ effective marketing) are brought together to create 'hit records'.

For sceptics, who are wrong by default in this case, just think of how this concept of 'framework capitalisation' applies ever so frustratingly to movies.

All of these dynamics comprise the framework of thinking behind the most popular songs of all time; 'Formula Songs'...

Drake said.. thank me later, i think.