Breaking Down The Most Streamed Song Of All Time

In today's episode I break down the most streamed song of all time. Do you know which one it is?
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[@RickBeato]

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[@srhatfield]

This is the first time I've heard the song, but I feel like I have heard the song before... they are really borrowing a LOT from older songs. A-ha and Gotye's Eyes Wide Open are very present here.

[@henrycrews9344]

How is TOTO not in the Rock Hall of Fame? BEATO can you pull some strings?

[@MrSitemaster2]

It sounds like a remake of "Young Turks" by Rod Stewart, to those of us old enough to remember it.

[@srhatfield]

@@MrSitemaster2 Yeah it does sound similar to that song, which is one of my favorite RS songs.

[@mmazz30]

@@srhatfield Same here, I think the music system has exhausted all avenues to write a "new hit song" that lasts a life time. I just did a quick scan/listen of this song and came away thinking it sounds like "this and that" song. So this now becomes a disposable song for me, where as, I would go back and listen to the other original sounding songs thats lasted a lifetime.

[@jrstading]

I clicked on this video FULLY expecting he was about to break down Baby Shark.

[@LucilleBrawl17]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@jodie672]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🙌

[@mschubeck]

do doo do do do do

[@DanielG77]

I thought it would be "What Does the Fox Say?" 😂

[@zeynepgulsu1899]

ha ha

[@KB-hk3zz]

@RickBeato, when your face pops up in my feed , I smile instantly. You have such a lovely energy and the world is a better place with you in it, thank you for being you 😊

[@SimpsonMusicProductions]

I heard this song on the radio a few years ago and was instantly hooked and brought me back to the 80's 😁 The Weekend is actually Singer / Songwriter who has a lot of other good songs too. One of the few really talented artists in the last 20 years 💯

[@MrVronscki]

Reason to be the most streamed: in every coffeeshop's playlist 63 times a day

[@BFahz]

Reminds me of Aha’s Take on me in a way.

[@StratmanDarrell]

Obviously Aha is an influence on this guy's music. We're all influenced by certain songs and artists and if you're a musician it will show up in your playing or if you're a composer, it will show up in your compositions.

[@80sandretrogubbins25]

It's more generally 80s influenced. I mean the synth riff is very 80s. It's a great track, but then I'm biased to anything 80s.

[@Krista2882]

The first time I heard Blinding Lights was when Seth Everman re-created it in his house by using his synth, the sounds of couch pillows, toilet lid closing, bowser and mario figurines kissing, and the sounds of a marker drawing a line on a paper. I miss him. He left KZbin a while back.

[@Mlpro730]

Opening sounds like Take on Me by A-ha, which is waaaaay better song.

[@DaisyAruba]

0:05 I think I can already tell this may not be a song that you’re going to approve of lyrically or it may be called boring, which is the facial expression was great and the beginning very telling it love it

[@SomerankeroffYT]

Judging from the first 5 seconds is just the most rational thing to do, in this modern age we don’t need to hear a word they say! - plus what else does a song need aside from lyrics, that’s why we hear audiobook chapters on the radio! :)

[@johntolhurst1236]

I asked Chatgpt this question: Given Bach created a geometric progression for the musical scale,, why does E minor have a different character to F minor and why us the difference heard consistently between humans? It said, interestingly: The difference in character between E minor and F minor, and why humans consistently perceive this distinction, can be explained by a combination of cultural, physical, and acoustic factors rather than just the mathematical basis of Bach's geometric progression (which helped establish equal temperament tuning). Here’s a breakdown of the factors: 1. **Equal Temperament and Bach’s Tuning**: In Bach's time, the equal temperament system was becoming more widely used, which divides the octave into 12 equal semitones. This allowed all keys to be played in tune across different instruments, making each key more mathematically similar in frequency ratios. However, while this system makes keys technically “equal,” it doesn't account for the **psychological and perceptual differences** people experience when playing different keys. 2. **Cultural Conditioning**: Over centuries, certain keys have developed strong emotional and cultural associations. E minor, for instance, is often described as melancholic or wistful, while F minor is typically seen as more serious or tragic. These characterizations are shaped by centuries of musical tradition, where composers consistently used certain keys for specific emotional effects, reinforcing these associations over time. 3. **Instrumental Timbre**: Even with equal temperament, each key sounds slightly different because of the **resonance** and **timbre** of musical instruments. On many instruments, especially those like string instruments, pianos, or organs, the natural resonances of certain notes cause small variations in how each key is perceived. This can give E minor a "brighter" or "lighter" feel compared to F minor, which might sound "heavier" or more "closed." 4. **Pitch and Frequency Perception**: The human ear is not perfectly linear in how it perceives frequency. The way we process sound intervals, especially in different registers, can lead to slight differences in how we perceive the **emotional quality** of closely related keys. The tonal center of E minor (329.63 Hz for the note E) is higher than that of F minor (349.23 Hz for F), and we tend to perceive higher frequencies as "lighter" or "brighter" and lower frequencies as "darker" or more "serious." 5. **Muscle Memory and Vocal Range**: For musicians and singers, different keys feel physically different to perform, and this can influence how they emotionally express a piece in that key. E minor may fall into a more comfortable range for many instruments and voices, making it feel more "natural," while F minor might demand a slightly different technique, contributing to its perceived distinctiveness. 6. **Consistent Human Response**: The consistency in how humans hear the difference between keys can be attributed to the **universalities in auditory processing**. Human brains are wired to perceive slight variations in pitch and timbre, and we are very sensitive to these differences. Even within the constraints of equal temperament, small shifts in pitch (as between E and F) are processed differently in terms of emotional and psychological response. So, while Bach's equal temperament tuning mathematically equalized the scale, the **interaction of physical acoustics, historical tradition, and human perception** still leads to a consistent emotional distinction between keys like E minor and F minor.

[@jspohl]

I’d not heard it before but am so impressed that one it’s by a Canadian 🇨🇦✨ and two that it’s eighties inspired. For half a second I wondered if it was Duran Duran who covered my walls when I was a tween. I think this group was blessed by both the universe and tic toc. 💖

[@sigsfast]

I’m the guy that’s never heard that song (thus, I wouldn’t know if it’s out of tune)

[@fenthedog]

not the only one! I hope I never hear it again BTW

[@craigberry4051]

Nope, never heard it.

[@CP-nl2zb]

Me also and i wasn't missing anything

[@johnmcvicker6728]

Never heard it before myself. Must be either an age thing (I’m a boomer…) or the number of pop playlists it got onto.

[@arijin]

I came to say this.

[@pjg58x]

I’m a boomer and I’ve heard the song but would have never guessed in a million years that it would be the most streamed song.

[@susanalfieri4487]

I remember when The Weeknd got the SuperBowl gig a few years ago (Tampa), and many people were like, "Who the hell is this?" The craziest thing is that "Blinding Lights" was in its heydey at that moment. The album had recently dropped, the video was supercool, and the song was everywhere. Plus, it was SO catchy. Once you heard it, you couldn't escape hearing it over & over in your brain.

[@LeonAust]

Streamed yes sold no!

[@danwright1506]

No such thing as a boomer. It's just a label to compartmentalize americans.

[@nou1186]

@@danwright1506 This comment section is doing its best to prove all the stereotypes right, lol.

[@SDsailor7]

I bet it's a pop song. I haven't heard it.

[@rientsdijkstra4266]

Gives me strong A-ha, Take on Me vibes...

[@natemink572]

Definitely could have been written/performed in the 80s and just been a KZbin classic

[@ethanreed8400]

Young turks

[@a-funk1253]

Very A-ha start indeed.

[@melrupinski88]

Reminds me of all those 80s clone bands that popped up to capitalize on someone else’s sound.

[@SirHatchporch]

​@@ethanreed8400Yeah, it is far more "Young Turks" than "Take on Me."

[@Kharmatos13]

And here I was expecting Gangnam Style.

[@joshuadelaughter]

I think he's going off of Spotify. KZbin music videos have very different statistics.

[@Dwayndibb]

I thought One Republic got a lot playtime

[@FiftyShadesOfDave6603]

The song is 'Blinding Lights' by The Weeknd.

[@TheSummoner]

THANK YOU

[@TDQ_Gaming]

WTH...... Never heard of the band, the song, are anything about this. And that's a lot of auto tune for for 30 year old song.

[@FPSBuzz]

​@@TDQ_Gaming the song is less than 10 years old.

[@dwightropp3014]

@@TDQ_Gaming - The artist's song "Can't Feel My Face" (2015) received a nomination for the Record-of-the-Year Grammy. It was a huge hit frequently aired on the radio. Do you recall that one?

[@soopahsoopah]

Dude can't even afford to buy a vowel

[@nualaseamus]

Just so you know, I still listen to cds. My car is old and still has a cd player.😊

[@AsteraVirgo]

Nah get yourself a truck with tapes so you can listen to nestor pistor and other comedy gods driving to work 😂

[@gusloader123]

My pick-up has a cassette player. Cassettes are much better than CD's. CD's skip if you hit a bump in the road. They also easily get scratched and become worthless pieces of plastic. I often listen to audiobooks, especially the Holy Bible, so being able to rewind the cassette is a great tool.

[@jeffmorrison2915]

My mule has a turn table.

[@JakobKenda]

i've got a cassette player in my car. but i listen to spotify on it

[@rizandro]

Me too! Love it!

[@wandast.hilaire3402]

My father has always wanted me to follow in his footsteps and play guitar. Music was his life. At Christmas, I promised I would learn. He said when next we visited, he would buy me a newbie's guitar. On eclipse day, April 8th, he passed away. My brother and sister insisted I be given his beloved guitar. I will get Rick's course to start me on my way. 💔💕💔

[@garmisra7841]

Sorry for your loss.... I'm sure he'd be happy for you honoring his legacy in that way, or any other way you choose.

[@jesusislukeskywalker4294]

im praying for you and your family 🙏❤️☝️

[@BillHeIsRisen]

So sorry for your loss. It is good that you can still have your father with you in your music as you learn through Rick's course.

[@in2livinit]

Sorry for your loss 💔 It's never too late !!! ❤ Rick is the Einstein of modern contemporary music & theory. Can't go wrong. Get the bundle sale, it's a steal. Maybe just learn 4 easier chords, hold his guitar listening to a favorite song of his. #1 learn to tune it. Learn from Rick but for some quick easy song learning, find Marty Schwartz on here. Excellent "hometown" guitar & song teacher to have a little familiar fun. He's been on YT forever & tons of quick free tutorials. Like 2 heads of a coin. Professor Rick, & campfire Marty. Don't feel guilty, your dad knows your sincerity. Now you can hold his guitar and you can make music with it, keeping you connected. May you cherish it till you reunite 🎸🎶❤️

[@RG-yz8ov]

Legend do it, it's in your blood. also look at Brett papa, Tim pierce, zombie guitar ect. Sorry for your loss

[@lucasl.righetto8853]

I'm 40 and still listening to CDs 😏

[@cincox3919]

I listen to CDs or ripped CDs almost exclusively

[@ThomasGGall]

I'm only 66 and still listening to CDs 😮😊 and my Studer reel2reel. Imagine.

[@freddurst5277]

You ain’t alone, man. You’re twice my age and I’m still buying em 👊🏻😂

[@betmo]

i don't stream because the artists don't get as much compensation...i buy cds exclusively

[@mrozu2077]

I’m 18 and I’m listening to CD love collecting them also the quality is so good! Got some Foo Fighters Rush and Nirvana just love them!

[@michaelrhudak]

Would love to hear Rick break down Talk Talk's "It's My Life" at some point. The chords are so strange and un-poppy, but somehow with the vocals on top it becomes this epic thing.

[@czwirner]

That and Lifes what you make it are fantastic songs

[@PainInTheS]

​@@czwirnerExactly! Hated it when it came out but a little older and wiser and it all fell into place....GREAT songs!

[@markwhite2207]

I would lurve to hear him talk about their last two albums.

[@fishjones4618]

I played bass in an industrial new wave cover band and “It’s My Life” was part of our set. Man that bass line is a beast.

[@chuckm4540]

Yes and that bass line is one of the best ever in popular music.

[@reidbronson6358]

I'm 71. I've owned my 2004 Honda CRV for 20 years. It came with a CD player and a Cassette Player. Even better, the CD Player is a Six CD Changer. Six! You bet I still listen to CDs. Not so much, my Cassettes. Apparently, cassettes don't last 40 to 50 years. Who knew? My late wife loved our Honda because she loved her CDs from the 60s, 70s, and 80s. (Remember, old albums were re-released on CDs.) Love your channel. Reid.

[@ThomasGGall]

he you are not alone 😮. I do not recall having heard this song ever. Does not really appeal to me 😅 sounding this stereotypical. ❤Rick love your channels. Carry on

[@bigneiltoo]

I got my first car in 1988. I installed my own 4 speaker set, replacing the stock set. If you crossed up the wires on any speaker it would work but when you listened to older tapes like Beatles or Doors it would be missing a whole instrument.

[@JulieCollins1]

I've never heard it either. 76 yr-old musician & and songwriter, w/ a degree in 🎶 but not a wide range of listening. Learning so much here, Rick! ❤️ Love your channel!

[@davemi00]

71 found this song listening to El Estepario Siberiano Drum Cover on this song 👍

[@jdenino6022]

I have a 24 year Ford SUV which has a 6 cd changer but the speakers in the truck aren't that great, they are adequate. It also has a casette tape player that is never used. I assume it still works though. the truck has under 50,000 miles on it and it's in near mint condition. We have a newer vehicle that has a cd player (thank God) and a Harmon Kardon stereo system which sounds really good compared to the older truck. Thank God it has a cd player in it. It also accepts a thumb drive and has apple play and satellite radio.

[@geofflupton1254]

I remember hearing this song on pop radio as the Pandemic was erupting, and my first reaction was, "...Oh... "Take On Me!" If they didn't outright sample the drumbeat from that song, they simulated it very well. A catchy synth riff, he sings in his lower register during the verses, then goes up to high head voice/falsetto during the choruses. That year, it seemed like the biggest song around in pop, and I was pretty shocked it got no nominations at the Grammy's. Fast forward a couple of years, and all of the sudden in 2022, Harry Styles' "AsIt Was" comes out, and I'm like..."Hmmm...."Take On Me" again!" Again, the drumbeat either sampled or simulated, another catchy synth riff,and he sings in the lower register during the verses, and higher in the chorus, especially the falsetto on the hook/title line. Last year, I had the opportunity to do production and DJ at the wedding of some dear friends, and did a mix of "Take On Me" to "Blinding Lights" and finish with "As It Was." And the people on the dance floor loved it, one of the best moments of the night. Great analysis as always, Rick!

[@synchronicity1470]

brilliant. Do you have it on your channel. would love hearing it!

[@dougefresh7435]

I agree . The beginning of the song fools me every time 😂. And yet I still listen every time it comes on the radio . Which is frequently on our “ local “ I heart radio station that claims to play the best variety of music yet has been playing the same songs for the past 3 years 😂 it was the only station that would come in on the school bus I was driving . I got a new bus and they forgot to put speakers in it .. yes I have a radio with no speakers so now I don’t hear the song anymore.

[@jsfbay1]

100% regarding "Take On Me."

[@russjackson9448]

Lol

[@mffmoniz2948]

The beginning takes me immediatly to the 80's. Take On Me + Final Countdown.

[@emo65170.]

That opening synth takes me back to the iconic synth riffs from the 80s, like Axel F, The Final Countdown, Take On Me, etc

[@cdart27]

First few seconds and I thought I would hear Take on Me!

[@MusicMotivator]

It's Young Turks Rod Stewart

[@emo65170.]

@@MusicMotivator I totally hear that too.

[@nickespina1975]

live to tell by Madonna too

[@nickespina1975]

The intro

[@warpig4942]

As a Gen Xer who wishes the 80's never ended, it makes me happy that the most streamed song ever sounds like it is plucked straight out of 1985.

[@erickimm5150]

Yes sounds like Ah-Ha

[@cshude]

Sounds like a throwaway song from an 80s teen movie. That tells you how far popular music has fallen.

[@godisbollocks]

Although there were plenty of good hit songs in the 80s, I think the 80s pales in comparison to the 70s. In all regards: music, cars, fashion, and societally. To compare a funk hit from 1974 with a synth-driven pop hit from 1984 is to go from something 100% live and organic to something built from the ground up using artificiality. A song built on a quantized drum beat (made from synth-derived noises that *kinda* resemble a drum kit) will never truly groove like a great band playing live.

[@Hillbilly-Tech]

I thought the same thing. It has sounds that reminds me of Prince songs too. Not really a fan of a band-in-a-box w/autotune.

[@HarmanatorNYC]

Yep a-ha entered the chat. There is a great mash up of the two.

[@ThePtlhome]

The 80s call-back is obvious, but, above and beyond that, definite echoes of Aha's "Take On Me." The tempo, the base line, fat synth, the falsettoed vocals, SO similar. - It's an completely original song, and an awesome song ( - love it!), so no shade here, at all - quite the contrary. But, once you listen to it, with the Aha song in mind, it's unmistakably comparable. - Again totally original, but like it could also have been an Aha song, on the same album as Take On Me. - Is it just me? ....Just read some of the other comments; nope - definitely not just me!

[@allgrainbrewer10]

The first time I heard The weekends Blinding lights, I thought it was a lost song by Ah Hah. Just another 80's pop song.

[@rickhbrown]

4.2 billion streams...and I never heard it until now. I have learned so many things from Rick Beato, including how out of touch I am

[@frankesposito7762]

I don't consider not hearing a crappy song out of touch.

[@thestonedandstripped]

You aren't out of touch. This song is awful. What have you actually missed? Nothing at all😊

[@DutchVai]

You're fine brother...... keep following the path on which you walk.

[@TLtimelord]

Then you've been able to avoid it despite how unavoidable it has been the last few years since it came out. I will say without hesitation it's one of the best pop songs ever made.

[@SingleMalt77005]

@@TLtimelord What is the tune? Who is the band?

[@DjDoggDad]

I absolutely still listen to CD's, the thrift shop has better finds than any streaming service has ever provided me. Now is a highpoint in CD thrifting because people were donating their entire collections, which is generally good music they wanted to listen to over and over. I also bought a new CD at a show last night. If i'm the odd man out using lasers to listen to sound so be it, more for me.

[@basnvocals]

We have hundreds of CDs in our house, some 300 vinyls and about 500 digital albums (promos for our radio shows).. Streaming never happens here.

[@poshbird7784]

Same.

[@BadHorsie1]

I'm right with you. Physical media forever

[@alanwallace5342]

Buying and reconnecting with amazing music for sometimes a dollar. Best part, some soulless technocrat is not tracking my data... until now, lol.

[@pinanti]

Same here

[@AS-dy4eo]

Never heard it (or of the Weekend). I would prefer to listen to Take On Me (AHa) which many commenters say this sounds like. Or even “Pop Goes My Heart“ the 80s music parody song from the Hugh Grant movie Music and Lyrics.

[@txprospector]

That's the most streamed song of all time??? Wow that really saddens me.

[@thelordraj5412]

Why it's a good song?

[@yugen0o]

Wow, someone makes an 80's synth-pop throwback in 2019 and it's the most streamed song ever. This is the first time I've ever heard this song.

[@berendharmsen]

Same here; this is the first time I ever heard this and all I hear is some run-of-the-mill 80s synth-pop song, which gives me bad flashbacks to the worst pop music era in history.

[@grandpascottshodgepodge9318]

@@berendharmsen The fact that this is the #1 streamed song makes me want to cry. F*ck global warming, pandemics and the threat of nuclear war; if this is what's considered top-notch music then civilization has already crashed.

[@vernlaw]

@@berendharmsenwhat? the 80s was the best pop music era in history? Just in my opinion. At least up until like 1985-86. So much creativity on all fronts. 1984 was an insane year for music which this song seems to embody

[@berendharmsen]

@@vernlaw Fair enough; if you love it, good for you. The 80s were my highschool years and I absolutely hated the cheap, tinny computer drum sounds, the awful synthesiser pop and rock. Obviously, there were exceptions - every music era has its hghlights, but for me, the 'overall' sound of the 80s were an endless stream of similar sounding songs. I had to take refuge in music from the sixties and early seventies and was delighted when the 90s arrived and - for me - music had a true revival. I genuinely consider the 80s as a wasteland period between two great music decades.

[@adamkoyn792]

@berendharmsen Couldn't agree more

[@mattjohnson6227]

This is why I love Rick. He doesn’t crap on current music. He explains why it’s catchy. Parents in the 60s crapped on their kids music at the time. It’s what people do. It’s refreshing to have a person take the time to explain it. It’s easy to just go all new music sucks, but it doesn’t

[@malcolmlarri8236]

He definitely calls the crap songs crap - but he doesnt do it as a grumpy old musician - he just does it from an educated place. hes awesome

[@eddiejr540]

Growing up my Dad crapped on the music I listened to all the time…I grew up thinking that’s just what old people did😩

[@larrycourtney8893]

I agree with everything you're saying, it's the natural way of things and I try to keep that in mind. But things are different now with the technology and people seem to be more in tune with that than with actual musicality. I have never, ever heard this song before, and haven't missed it one bit.

[@olabergvall3154]

I remember when Rick made a video a few years back, listening to the top hits from that year. When he put on this song he immediately said "great sound!" then "great song". Then he looked quickly at the credits, and said "Ok, Max Martin... that figures". Gotta love Rick!

[@ixizn]

Yeah, I love how when he actually thinks a song is crap he still takes time to explain why/what’s missing and usually tries hard to point out the positive about it too! Seems like a good dude, the kind of person you’d want as a teacher (which makes sense with how much he’s teaching his audience 😁)

[@dreadnought2021]

on first hearing , it sounds a bit like AHA =TAKE ON ME

[@LintBisquick]

It’s a great revisit of everything people love about 80’s new wave w a modern take.

[@kimr45]

I was today years old when I discovered there is a former band from London Ontario called the Weekend, and there is a solo artist from Toronto Ontario named Abel Makkonen Tesfaye who is called The Weeknd, leaving out the e in end.

[@rogerhommas9750]

Link ?

[@marymogashoa1258]

Go figure¡!!! 🤔 😮😊

[@petertrezise4545]

I’m 68 and still listen to cds. Haven’t listened to the radio for years.

[@ronjones-6977]

I hear you. Guess we aren't missing very much at all. Bleh...

[@sweper]

Same here. Especially when remastered versions are still coming out that sound better than ever.

[@steelyman08]

59 and CDs only. No radio. I think that must be fairly typical, don't you? I can't see too many older music lovers tossing their hard copies away in favor of streaming.

[@steelyman08]

@@sweper Absolutely. I've bought all of the remasters once they were available. It's really quite something & I'm no audiophile. A world of difference.

[@elec123]

I'm 25 years younger and haven't listened to music radio for years. Talk radio and Spotify is everything I need. Spotify is connected to my home system with speakers in most rooms, and transfers to my car stereo or headphones when I move outside my home, it's great.

[@georgefustos7243]

I still listen to CD’s and will never stop. I like being in control of what I like listening to and skipping tunes I don’t care for as much as other songs on a particular CD. I’ve been doing so ever since CD’s came into existence.

[@rothgartheviking858]

They sound better than streaming too. if you have a good transport.

[@Boleskinebeatz]

Yep.. my reason is because my car has a great sound system that's CD based, no crappy compression either.

[@kboomer20]

Exactly what I've been saying.

[@southerncharity7928]

Hard core CD collector here. Most people burn them to some sort of hard disk (phone, pc etc). You will still get the fidelity and modern convenience. (Convenience after the burning process 😂)

[@rothgartheviking858]

@@southerncharity7928 Yes and no. Depends on the system. 12 V DC based devices are best like MacMini.

[@roogrey]

I know I'm late to the party here, but I feel that this song has connected so well because it takes the listener to another place. It oozes atmosphere from start to finish. The intro synths announce ‘something's coming’ better than anything I've heard in recent years, and the combination of Abel’s voice and the hook-laden production is the perfect marriage. Great production aside, this is about feel. I for one never tire of it. Many people obviously feel the same! A great channel, Rick!

[@imthedudeman77]

Oozes atmosphere is right. It's in the same vein as In the Air Tonight.

[@zyrrhos]

Sounds dead and cold to me. Like all the other synthy garbage out there. This generation's ears are ruined.

[@graydonwebster516]

⁠@@zyrrhosif you think this song is dead and cold then what hit songs aren’t😂

[@zyrrhos]

@@graydonwebster516 Exactly. Most modern-day commercial hits are pretty vapid. Every era has them, but with this era it's more of the norm than the exception.

[@73rmin8r]

Hey Paul!

[@Vesper_Songs]

Aha, Take on Me

[@jimshepherd3841]

That’s What I Thought Too 😂

[@byteborg]

The beginning has so much A-HA "Take on me" vibes. That's all I hear and then my brain switches off, usually, for the rest of the song. Thank you so much for dissecting this, Rick, so I finally got to listen more of it than just the first few bars 🤣

[@mikawaii_og]

I legit thought we were going to be breaking down Take on Me. And that made me remember: Interpolation/sampled, my sound design professor told me it doesn't matter what my stuff sounds like, anyone can sue me if they decided I'm too similar to them. If A-ha were jerks, they could've easily sued Abel.

[@ruthannemorgan9842]

Oh Rick, you have to be kidding.

[@OldeTyme69]

I love when Rick breaks down a song I wouldn’t listen to for more than a second and puts it in new light. It leads to me listening to more music, you don’t have to like a song to learn from it.

[@matthewhogue67]

That is so true

[@cooldebt]

Agree. As long as we don't learn how to spell from The Weeknd.

[@TartempionLampion]

I hope Rick will soon analyse Baby Shark! (14 BILLION views on YT)

[@thomastucker5686]

It is my hope that there are enough songs to learn from, one doesn't need to suffer for the lesson. This song doesn't move me an inch. I do here the quality in the production. I didn't like this stuff in the 80s. I still appreciate Rick's work product here.

[@musiclido]

Yeah I don’t like the song at all but you gotta love Rick regardless ! He’s a bit of a pop tart ha ha !

[@SonorousMusic]

It's like revisiting the genius of the 80s again. We lived it. It was an amazing decade that will echo forever as a vibrant, magical, and full of creativity.

[@markdansky]

You probably aren't from Ohio, are you? It was a very challenging time in the deindustrializing states. "My city was gone..."

[@PeteQuad]

To me the 80s were just about commercialization and materialism. The 70s and 90s had soul.

[@thefuturemachineband]

It’s sounds like 80’s because According to Wiki this song was “Inspired” by Rod Stewart’s “Young Turks” you can clearly hear it in the intro and the verses. You can hear lot of similar melodies and patterns from “Young Turks” but regardless it’s a great song and The Weekend is one of the very few new artists who truly has a golden voice and a great musician. When he sings you can immediately tell it’s The Weekend.

[@descantinginsalubrious]

I tried explaining this to my 13 year old daughter....she wasn't as interested as I was.

[@jeremybradder8112]

That's exactly what I thought, Young Turks. First time hearing this tune as well.

[@rhsatrhs]

The Young Turks influence is unmistakable to those of us who heard that song over and over and over in the early MTV era.

[@davinnicode]

I find The Weeknd to be extremely boring just as the songwriting of his songs. Nothing stands out, nothing creative. He does have a good voice though but I will never understand why his music is so popular. It must be because of something outside of music like many of today‘s Popstars

[@n0sr3t3p]

was it his voice?

[@rjvsmb]

I could tell you one reason why it's so popular. It sounds like it could have dropped right from the 80s. The 80s is an awesome decade of music.

[@ekirenrut]

Exactly. Sounds like some undiscovered morsel from early MTV. Could just as well be an A-HA track.

[@danabuch324]

They used to call it "rave music".

[@oraculodasacerdotisa]

Exactly, and there's a sample of Michel Sambelo's Maniac in the beat of the song, which unlocked memories and nostalgia, which has currently been an efficient path for pop music. People want to relive the moment and there's nothing better than a song to unlock that feeling.

[@ekirenrut]

@@oraculodasacerdotisa good catch. I hear it now.

[@rODIUMuk]

Awful record

[@jasondesjardins7371]

Wow. I've never heard this song or even heard of that artist. Maybe I need to get out more ;)

[@studiodsr]

When this song came out it was a double A-side single with a trap song called “heartless”. Heartless was initially given a bigger push and for the first few weeks had bigger streaming numbers than Blinding Lights. No one even remembers the trap song now. Let this be a lesson to songwriters everywhere that melody and huge choruses will always be king. Always.

[@tdz69]

4 billion streams. Never heard it. Spotify must have paid the artist at least 7k for all those streams. Lol.

[@davidmoskowitz1801]

Probably $1.50!

[@boomerbear7596]

Incredible video, and incredible song! Not only is "Blinding Lights" the most streamed but at least a few years back it was one of the most requested songs to learn by high school and college bands and it has made its presence known at sporting events far and wide. The Weeknd hit it out of the park with this one! I've only ever heard this song in F minor (or really F Dorian) as opposed to E-flat major or C minor but this exercise of trying to hear it in either of those keys is a good illustration of how modes work and are related I think. It continually resolves to the F note a lot and meets the criteria of having the Dorian D-natural note in the melody as well as the IV B-flat major chord.

[@plym1969]

One of them main reasons Blinding Lights blew up was because it went viral on Tiktok at the start of lockdown when everyone started to download TT as they had time to kill and there was a fun dance to do to it.

[@luvjammin04]

Interesting!! Right place at the right time.

[@funkster007]

Also the fact its heavily inspired by the ultra-catchy synth/keyboard era of the 80's. People will eat that stuff up.

[@AlyssaWeber]

Bingo

[@carolcarol3938]

Oh, that makes it make more sense.

[@Isaiah538]

Yeah, well, I knew TikTok was a CCP propaganda tool then, and I lived through the eighties with these fake drums and double tap electronic claps. It may be good production, and the chords are interesting, but I was more into the Police, U2, Rush, bands like that in the eighties. Not Spandau Ballet and Wack a Doodle.

[@smurfskiller]

in my ears "blinding lights" is just a remastered version of "take on me"!

[@msurreal_929]

The opening sounds like Rod Stewart’s Young Turks

[@javi5810]

Not even ten minutes in and Rick has already made me even more interested in music than I already am

[@jklappenbach]

Who would have thunk that a rip of A-Ha would be the most streamed song in history.

[@davidhall8893]

has similarities but I dont think you could call it even close to a rip off. Think youre just old

[@marcwalker9610]

Never heard it until now, and honestly don't care for it at all 🤷

[@amusical12]

I still listen to cd’s....and records and tapes. I love my life ✌️💕😘

[@Daveglorious]

Good on you.)!

[@GaveMeGrace1]

Ditto!

[@dapawaz8310]

Yup. And read actual books. 👍

[@amusical12]

@@dapawaz8310 yeah, absolutely... all the ones that have now been banned and have been on my bookshelf for 50 years 😉🙂. That's where I am if I'm not on my piano (yt channel). Love ya 😘

[@ral1020]

Rick, I have a request: I’ve watched quite a few of your videos. I don’t think I’ve ever heard you mention Bruce Hornsby. Why ?.. Would enjoy an interview with Bruce. He’s an amazing song writer and a beast on piano.

[@tinalevan1984]

That would be awesome. Mandolin Rain and Every Little Kiss are on my playlist. I love them. So nostalgic.

[@ral1020]

@@tinalevan1984 Check out his albums: "Harbour Lights" and "Hot House" The musicianship and writing are mind blowing.

[@RY30DM]

@@ral1020 Wow, that’s a blast from the past. I agree that would be good, and I’m not a fan, but he’s got some good songs.

[@ral1020]

@@RY30DM Hornsby is as good today as he ever was. Check out some of his live videos on KZbin. And his previous albums: Harbor Lights and Hot House

[@mdgytdt]

Rick, with all my respect why don't you talk about the real reason why this song and many others like this get big on streaming platforms. I'm not saying it is not a good song but not 42 billions good. The real reason is the millions of dollars and euros put in their publishing. It is not about music.

[@skywardpictures]

Hello, the reason for number of streams is they gave rights to apps who use it in their available tracks to score 'stories' with....and the publisher gets a payment at a discount.

[@same2659]

They can't handle the truth.

[@MikoRalphino]

@@same2659what ??? 😂

[@jeanpierreviergever1417]

The number of streams on Spotify only reflects Spotify streams, not on other platforms. Spotify have their own rights settlement procedure. If music is used on TikTok or Instagram, these platforms need to pay their rights separately. That music does not come form Spotify and hence is not included in the Spotify number of streams.

[@stevemacarthur9660]

I think I may have heard this at the airport amidst the announcements, etc.; to the extent that I "heard" it, I always figured as a cross between a-ha and Kraftwerk with some random pop singer over the top. Not entirely certain what the over-the-top fascination means, but I guess it's nice to hear something that wears its 80's influences on its sleeve...

[@jeremybradder8112]

I don't use Spotify. I do use LPs, reel to reel, cassette, and on stuff I have yet to find on vinyl, I use CDs. My pick for longevity would be Led Zeppelin.

[@bontea5545]

Spotify definitely can surprise you and pick up some music similar to the music you have on your vinyl and reels. Just be open minded to it ❤

[@alrivers8458]

​@@bontea5545I agree

[@johnnysins1171]

Get with the times old man. CDs havent been relevant in 15 years and vinyl hasn't been relevant in 30 years. We all stream now, this is the way

[@Guitarman19566]

Vinyl has outsold CDs 2 years in a row. You want good quality sound? Don’t stream it, play a record. This song is synth crap, too canned.

[@RY30DM]

@@johnnysins1171 CDs are still relevant. Bands are still making them. While I don’t. buy as many as I used to (the closest CD store is about 1/2-hour away and I don’t drive, I still like to throw my support to some bands I see on tour. It’s better for them fora fan to buy a CD rather than a useless Spotify stream. One helps the band get to their next tour stop, and one doesn’t.. Now as far as you’ statement about vinyl, you don’t have a clue at all. Vinyl is insanely popular again. There are waiting periods to get it pressed too, because artists like mega-star Taylor Swift are pressing vinyl. I went to Record Store Day at my local store and there was a long line just to get inside. There were people of all ages buying it up too. Finally, why dies Walmart and Target carry vinyl if it wasn’t popular.?

[@KingKull1971]

This is the most listened to song? It sounds like A-Ha's "Take On Me" sung by AI Autotuned Alvin & the Chipmunks.

[@ricardoelorza613]

Max Martin, that's a good interview for your channel. This guy is so talented, so unassuming... and most people don't even know about him!

[@ronaldnielson8591]

What guy? Is it a secret?

[@vintagesonofab]

​@@ronaldnielson8591 literally started by mentioning his name 🤣🤣

[@smallestofpps6974]

@@vintagesonofabdon’t expect oldheads to comprehend every part of a comment haha, most of the comments on this video are astonishingly out of touch.

[@vintagesonofab]

@@smallestofpps6974 sorry but i can't comprehend how they understand the complex music theory he's talking about yet can't compute such a straightforward phrase :)).

[@ghost247aviation9]

Max Martin is like top tier... idk if rick could get an interview spot with him lol

[@betmo]

i've never heard it but i haven't listened to much 'new' stuff since the late 90s so there's that 🤷‍♀️

[@bullseyecanada]

The reason so many people listen to it is because it's a rewrite of "Take On Me" by A-ha. The familiarity rings with several generations.

[@snails9505]

Exactly, totally runs with that song's feeling

[@smorgasbordtv4092]

I think Take me on is a better song in my opinion

[@doombiamusica]

This song is melodically much stronger than Take On Me

[@Akash.Jangir]

So do as it was by Harry styles

[@jasonmock7384]

Mor like Rod Stewart, Young Turks iMO

[@richardclark6858]

Starts with blade runner goes into a bit of a-ha with some billy jean drums? I don’t get why it’s so popular..

[@RY30DM]

@@richardclark6858 Because it makes people feel good. It’s upbeat.

[@peterdalby8019]

Never heard it and now having heard it, won't again!

[@trelkel3805]

Never heard this song before and after listening to it I am not sad about that.

[@margareth1504]

So funny when at the very same time I read your comment, the video was at about 16.30 mins and he says ah Never heard this song before..😂 amusing

[@steveperreira5850]

It is so freaking shallow. I hate that kind of music. What a joke

[@douglasg.9271]

Not only have I never heard this, I’ve never heard of it.

[@juanplus3324]

I was thinking Don't Stop Believing by Journey.

[@StephenVenablesMusic]

Thank You, Rick! Last year I wrote and released my first album and during that period I watched copious amounts of "What makes this song great" (and the Beatles doc). I didn't write any "great" songs, but I wrote my songs and am very grateful to just have had the opportunity to have this experience. Your content has been meaningful and inspirational to me and I appreciate you 🙏

[@marklovelace297]

It reminded us of the 80's with that synth is why it works so well!

[@Dwayndibb]

Yes I think One Republic - Counting Stars also so similar to Blinding in the lights. They have a folk music sound but no drop of and a much level repeating beat. Not quite 80s. This song 4Billion on KZbin.

[@numbersabcdefg]

I still have 3,500 CD 's and 800 DVD' s. Hang on to them for when streaming prices go through the roof. Positive inevitability

[@DSGLABEL]

3,500 is insane!

[@RY30DM]

@@numbersabcdefg Yes, I’m in your corner, I have a lot of physical media. But, we were warned a long time ago that the the discs will eventually degrade, and I’m not talking hundreds of years.

[@victorfranca3057]

This one and that Harry Style's "As it was" are mostly derived from Take on me and some Phill Collin's stuff (don't lose my number).

[@gourmet53]

I think it's funny this is the most streamed song of all time..............and this is the first time I ever heard it......and I'm 70.

[@JGLy22086]

I agree and I’m 86. SMH 🤦‍♀️

[@douglasshaw1320]

Same here, 74.

[@joepollard3228]

I'm 81, I've never heard of the Weekend or the song, Blinding Lights. I have almost 4800 songs on my phone, including albums by Rick's groups Billionaire and Muddy Magnolias. I have obscure albums like Closing In, by Civilized Natives and In Parallel, by Dhani Harrison. But The Weekend is completely new to me. I don't see why Blinding Lights is such a streaming sensation, but I realize my taste is a little odd. I love stuff by the Rutles. I even have Mass In F Minor by the Electric Prunes and The Geese And The Ghost by Anthony Phillips. I usually gravitate to stuff that is either obscure or different, but this one escaped me, and still escapes me.

[@rutlandwalker3795]

Same. Never heard it until now

[@normatible9795]

Same here im 72

[@LHChristopher]

You are the best.... Stay gold!

[@vmoutsop]

Never heard the song before. Beginning reminds me of Take Me On.

[@bakman2411]

Never heard it before

[@MrMaelvis]

Never even heard of this song and never heard it on radio. How is that possible?

[@bactareality]

Not enough people are aware how easily, especially today, to boost views or fake interest using bots, now AI powered on another level. Very common on video game stream channels. There's been news articles on the topic, yet here we are pretending it's not going on.

[@Moldovich]

it is fake streams, nothing more!

[@finesse3417]

This song was insanely popular in 2020 all the way to 2022

[@ItsameMatt]

You've been in a coma for the past 4 years.

[@chilloften]

What a bore!

[@MM-do5yx]

The song sucks

[@timothypowell9706]

I get such an 80's Ah-ha feel from this song.

[@northernengland]

Sounds like A Flock of Seagulls. INFLUENCED BY Hawkwind.

[@Beckola44]

This may be the most streamed song but to me, there are so many other songs that I think that are so much better. I have been listening to music since the 1950s and I like a lot of different genres. To each their own. I still have all of my lps and 45's, a great turntable, reel to reel, cassette recorder, CD player, and I have streamed music. I play guitar, bass, keyboards, and mandolin and I have a good ear. Thank you for the video Rick.

[@4Mr.Crowley2]

As a person who is a OG new wave fanatic, this song entranced me immediately with the 80s style synth etc - I love the “dark wave” sound.

[@inthefade]

Same here. It is a tasteful throwback.

[@inthefade]

That Oberheim synth and the Dr.Rhythm style drum machine is just so classic.

[@bwedwards67]

Never heard the most streamed song of all time. Man, I’m old 😮

[@seephor]

Has no soul. Sounds dead and cold to me. People have weird taste.

[@zyrrhos]

@@seephor Same. Sounds like a poor imitation of 80s music. This generation's ears are ruined.

[@carolemorrow2454]

It's the Clarity of the Voice and the presence of the Bass that has you hooked from the beginning. Loved it from my first listen.

[@jamescordova1796]

If you've ever heard" A- ha, Take me on" then you've heard this song.

[@parkercushingable]

Rick Beato constantly shows me really interesting pop music and has expanded my taste outside of early 2k indie rock and turn of millennium hard rock. Lol.

[@ronklijn5454]

Never heard it afaik. Catchy tune. Great clip. I didn't really listen to the lyrics, but the song has a very positive energy. It made me feel good, which is a great quality. That may be the reason for the popularity.

[@tonybenjamin2140]

I’d love to see you do a series on chord progressions through eras of Rock. Start in the ‘50’s and go through today looking at pop and the types of chord progressions most predominantly used. There’s a history show in there too somewhere on the origins in chords of blues, rock, and jazz. Just ideas. Loved the livestream.

[@degosiejani2774]

I second this motion

[@goober8798]

One thing I think we need to parse out is a song being streamed vs streamed from unique listeners. A song can be streamed multiple times by a single person, for example, a DJ with a tablet plugged into Spotify who does a lot of weddings, bar/bat mistvahs, quinceañeras, etc AND autgenertated 'hits' playlists going on in gyms and dentists offices vs myself who will only listen to this song only when someone is talking about it. So if you have never heard this song, it makes sense.

[@MLFranklin]

It's like they asked AI to write a hit 1980s song.

[@structurepurist6777]

You nailed it perfectly!!

[@maury8219]

I swear I thought that was an 80’s European band.

[@bigneiltoo]

It starts out sounding like A-ha Take on Me (1985).

[@tunestone3071]

This song is so 80’ s driven whether by accident or intentional…. It’s catchy.

[@galenmarek8287]

It was very intentional.

[@BobHope3018]

It's 80s and not very good

[@donkraemer50]

Reminds me of Stevie B type music. One of the best songs of the past decade

[@JJ-222-0]

Sounds like Take On Me

[@galenmarek8287]

@@JJ-222-0 look up the wiki on this song. It explains why we think that, it explains it far better than I can

[@chelmackeral529]

I honestly never listen to new pop anymore, but always thought that song was beautiful. Cant believe it has that many streams though..Heard it while i was walking in the store and got it stuck in my head a few times. This would be a great song to listen to with headphones or play the actual record. Like you said, great production. Beautiful melody, lyrics about love or longing that most could relate to...the ultimate pop song. An 80's feel as well. The 80's isn't my favorite decade for music but it kinda makes me want to dig in to Tears For Fears.

[@peacefulwanderer2050]

As Rick noted, awesome/perfect production- and awesome production can make nearly any genre listenable. For me it was the Disco era- hated it, despised it. But there were certain phenomenally produced tunes that were listenable solely for the sonic exploration. I have never heard this particular tune- but it is upbeat and catchy. Take this same tune and play it live in a live band situation, it would be a true kick to play- the energy is infective.

[@iancross3396]

I don’t like the song at all - very shallow

[@jenniferm6042]

I just purchased a new CD for the first time in YEARS just a few days ago. It was Alan Walker "Different World" for my 14yo birthday. It's his first gifted CD.

[@StratmanDarrell]

Amazing how Rick and analyze a song and break it down. Talented ear, musical experience, musical education, recording experience and so methodical. One of the best channels on KZbin.

[@petebooth3375]

I wouldn't cross the street to listen to it again.

[@Ozymandi_as]

There's no need to: if this song is not being played somewhere along your side of the street now, with streaming numbers like that you won't have very long to wait until it is! So frankly, with modern traffic being as dangerous as it is, why take the risk?

[@darylfoster7944]

Cross the street? I wouldn't step out the front door.

[@Atreyufoevah]

Thank you for validating/verbalizing something I haven’t been able to articulate. I’m a middle aged dad raised on rock/metal guitar-oriented music, but I have loved this song since the first time I heard it. More than once I have tried to understand what makes this song so good compared to other similar songs on the radio.