Why Are A Disproportionate Number Of Songwriters British?

[harryupbabble]

This thread was inspired by another thread with a similar thread title. And before that one, there was another thread from a while back that asked the same question too or at least something similar.

I read somewhere that the United Kingdom is smaller than the state of Texas. And yet more songwriters came from that little place compared to anywhere else. Is that presumption wrong? If that presumption is correct then why is that? Could it be that it's because English is such a dominant language? Or is it just because the Beatles inspired other Brits to be songwriters too? Something new to be proud about? But the Beatles inspired future songwriters from all over the planet too?

For example, how do you explain ABBA? The songwriters in that band admits to being influenced by the Beatles. That band wrote so many hit songs too but could most people tell they are Swedes? The first song I heard from ABBA was Dancing Queen. I thought they were American.

So, other countries are capable of mimicking the English language and having hit songs. Peter Schilling, a German, had that hit song that was inspired by David Bowie and his Major Tom song. Could most people tell he is German? But other countries don't seem to have as much hit songs as the Brits, considering it's such a small place or country or whatever.

Sure, Germany had the big three: Beethoven, Bach, Mozart.
But that's not songwriting. Songwriting is melody + lyrics?

Songwriting is like Shakespeare + Mozart? But Shakespeare was no Mozart? And Mozart was no Shakespeare? Songwriting is a more difficult craft? It's two crafts in one? Lots of musicians had to collaborate with lyricists. Elton John found writing lyrics difficult? Burt Bacharach too? Before the Beatles came along, lyricists and musicians teamed up a lot? Credits were like "Words by Person 1, Music by Person 2". Maybe they still do team up?

Is there scientific proof that yes, the Brits really are better at songwriting compared to the rest of the world? The stats seems to prove it. Hit song stats, per square miles, that is. If it is universal or at least global, is it still subjective? Or, were the Beatles really just "good" at songwriting? Sure, a lot of people say the Beatles suck but can anyone really deny the Beatles had global mass appeal?

Countries are always in disagreement? Global mass appeal is very hard to achieve? The Beatles were big in Russia too, right? How about the Asian countries? And Africa? And India? How about everywhere?

Again, if it is universal or at least global, is it still subjective?

[vurt]

its cold and wet all year so we stay home writing.
songs/poetry/novels/recipes.

[jancivil]

FFS, geographical size and how populated are two different considerations. Texas has more empty space.

You're not going to get any huge hits sung in German over here. It's kind of a not-pretty effect. I suppose that can be seen as subjective.

[Michael L]

Celtic was the last remaining refuge for songs and other language arts after Roman ruin, and they radiated out from Ireland to the other British languages.

[vurt]

we have empty space!

theres even a field not far from here!

[vurt]

Celtic was the last remaining refuge for songs and other language arts after Roman ruin, and they radiated out from Ireland to the other British languages.

eistedfodd newyddian syth

[Deep Purple]

FFS, geographical size and how populated are two different considerations. Texas has more empty space.

I was just about to say the same thing. The US is something like 40 times larger than the UK, but only has 5 times the population, although as you say, there are large areas of the US that are pretty much unpopulated.

[vurt]

FFS, geographical size and how populated are two different considerations. Texas has more empty space.

I was just about to say the same thing. The US is something like 40 times larger than the UK, but only has 5 times the population, although as you say, there are large areas of the US that are pretty much unpopulated or are populated by sasquatch, which don't write songs.

ftfy

[jethrobull]

its cold and wet all year so we stay home writing.
songs/poetry/novels/recipes.

Yep, definitely the shitty weather has something to do with it.

[vurt]

its cold and wet all year so we stay home writing.
songs/poetry/novels/recipes.

Yep, definitely the shitty weather has something to do with it.

its why theres so many songs about the rain too.

[Deep Purple]

there are large areas of the US that are pretty much unpopulated or are populated by sasquatch, which don't write songs.

I think you are wrong there...

[vurt]

when did one of zz top move over to the false beard?

[harryupbabble]

The UK (England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland) is 242,495 sq km (93,628 sq mi).

The two states closest in size to the UK are:

Michigan 96,713.51 sq mi, 250,487 sq km
Minnesota 86,935.83 sq mi, 225,163 sq km





UK popluation 66.8 million
Michigan population 10.02 million
Minnesota population 5.3 million

The UK should then have 6.5 times more global hit songs than Michigan?
The UK should then have 12.5 times more global hit songs than Minnesota?

Similar weather too? Cold? I'm too lazy to check Billboard's hit songs chart but I am guessing the UK surpasses those two American states?

Minnesota has Prince and who else?
Michigan has Motown. Ooooh that's a biggy. But still?

[vurt]

The UK (England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland) is 242,495 sq km (93,628 sq mi).

subject to change, given time...

[donkey tugger]

Johnny Foreigner writes songs? How novel.