What Makes This Song Great? "Closer" THE CHAINSMOKERS

[@RichardLacyMusic]

What makes Rick Beato great? I'll start off with No 1. He's not a music snob. More of this.

[@nicebluejay]

yesss

[@levisfranklin]

Same with Adam Neely.

[@Hevvvyyy]

There is only 1 music snob and he is mike. He's pretty funny tho.

[@boozalm3715]

No more lame songs though :D

[@thomasmcgill6918]

Not only Rick knows everything about music, he can guitar better than most.

[@WREDog]

Oh boy this comment section is gonna be fun.

[@CaptainDeadpool53]

I know right, I couldn't wait to see this

[@GoldenworkUSA]

Whether or not you like the song or the chainsmokers is beyond the point of this video. Knowing what went behind the scenes to make this song a hit is seriously important. These are the basics to what sells these days.

[@erllar2980]

Found the voice of reason!

[@michaelholmes9874]

Spot on!

[@RickBeato]

NoiseFeedMusic True, which is why they won't succeed in this business. You need to have very diverse skills and taste to be successful today. I've never met any producers who were snobs and had a long career.

[@menwithven8114]

ESPECIALLY producers!!! This song was built off of production in a studio. I feel like anyone could have been on vocals and this would have been a hit.

[@toddtab3048]

I'm a metal/rock guy from years ago, and used to love to listen to this song when I was drunk. Music is music people. Get off your high horse.

[@JarlStensson]

This "song" is not music

[@cpthampton9240]

No matter how you feel about this song, it's pretty clear that the production here is a great example of leveraging simplicity (the basic chord progression and melodic contour) by peppering in bits of complexity (rhythmic content and color notes).

[@felipetroccoli7809]

Rick, what about some Arctic Monkeys on the series? really curious about your perspective on their music! Thanks, my dude. love your content!

[@pedropessoa2246]

That'd be interesting af

[@GNVS300]

Shame he still hasn't done an AM episode yet

[@jeffreybateman7314]

Bizarre omission to be honest. At this point they're the only relevant mainstream rock band.

[@karu6111]

This song defined a year or two for me... it's almost like I can smell the air in 2016 and 2017, so many emotions attached to this song. Basically because it's the soundtrack of everywhere. Places I've gone, girls I've been with oh man... then the next years 2018, 2019, and 2020 was basically the same purgatory for me...

[@kiliankraus]

omg same! What a time it was

[@shambhav9534]

This song in particular has some ability to get emotions latched on to you. I don't know why, honestly.

[@Robertjoe]

Rick's next video: What Makes This Comment Section Salty AF.

[@Neander104]

Or maybe just reasonable and from a musician point of view :)

[@OEpistimon]

Roflmao

[@ThelegendofCaleb1]

Hey Rick, just wanted to say that I appreciate that your taste in music is diverse, and not just what Rock musicians are pressured to like. It seems that pressuring others to like "real" music is very popular on KZbin

[@eshy-music]

Is that why all the hip hop heads are reacting to Queen songs the last few weeks?

[@corgispotter]

I love how you readily realise that the genre sucks but you admit you still listen to it. There's no real music and fake music. There's music or no music. EDM is not music. As simple as that

[@kentmains7763]

I've heard this song before, had no idea who performed it and honestly never paid any attention to it. However I like the fact that Rick is keeping this series fresh and unpredictable. I'd love to hear some Kate Bush or Abba in the future, just because it's classified as pop doesn't mean it's bad.

[@wxxxbattle]

kate bush would be wonderful she does tons of crazy stuff in her work.

[@krisdaschwab912]

As a metal guy, I would love some Abba.

[@dobeeeeval]

That's the only thing that pisses me off about this video and the train video. It isn't Abba. How could those bands get a feature before mother fucking Abba? It ain't right.

[@disarmsox]

I agree, ABBA were master songwriters.

[@XX-lx4mr]

Kate Bush is like strawberry wrapped sushi.

[@TreborSelt]

I seriously love Halsey's vocals. She makes this song, melodically, for me.

[@DavidDiMuzio]

So glad you did this song. As soon as I saw their picture I was like "I hope he did Closer!!" ...this song is magic.

[@jeanlucslagle]

I love that you’re talking about modern music and not just classic rock!

[@JarlStensson]

You mean that he talk about bad music intead of only good music?

[@blowurn0se]

@@JarlStenssontouché 😂

[@juliogonzalez5201]

What Makes This Song Great OPETH

[@RandyLott]

Isolation Years is beautiful. The guitar work is incredible. Augmented chords at their best!

[@charlescrumpler510]

Some of those songs are longer than this video. I think something from Blackwater Park or Still Life would be awesome.

[@handleOfThy]

I see youre a man of culture

[@Randechop486]

Windowpane

[@juliogonzalez5201]

Demon Of The Fall could be a good option since its only six minutes long and isnt too complex compared to other Opeth songs

[@victordeandrade5286]

Rick is a testament to when I say to my friends "hey you know this pop song has actually some good stuff in it" and they laugh at me.

[@esoteridactyl]

Have you become a true PopHead yet like me in this two years? That's how I started and now I love all kinds of pop songs and artists.

[@dvprater314]

Hi, Rick. Thank you for adding some contemporary EDM/POP to the mix; it's incredibly valuable to see your breakdown of a currently trending genre. Don't get me wrong, I love all the artists you've chosen for this series -- it's been a "who's who" of my all-time favorite artists -- but I'm grateful to see your analysis of contemporary music on here, too, and would love to see more like this...Sia springs to mind. Thanks again for sharing your knowledge and passion.

[@jimyeomans6373]

Yes on Sia. She is a great writer and such a unique singer. Her songs are some of the most "felt" in the current pop scene (IYKWIM).

[@michaelfusciardi550]

Dude even though I’m a rock guy first, most of us out there do like songs like this even if many of us pretend not to. A good song is a good song and explaining why something outside someone’s normal repertoire still sounds great is awesome to see. You are the man!

[@TheLuizSouza]

Now you should do the other "Closer"!

[@AirGuitar]

Yes haha!

[@funkyskit2612]

NIN or KOL?

[@SwizzySnizzy]

Or maybe "One step closer"

[@Rassalcon]

or IQ

[@8thsinn]

or Kings of leon

[@starttherebellion9146]

Staying one's ego in order to see the value in things less familiar is a measure of maturity. The wisdom of keeping an open mind is critical if one wishes to grow beyond their current limitations.

[@Bryan-th6rc]

I absolutely agree, but this song is still trash

[@starttherebellion9146]

Define "trash"... As this video goes into great detail to illustrate, there are things about this song that _are_ in fact great. So it's not "trash", just not your "cup of tea." - It's really worth your time to see and understand the value in things that are not necessarily your preferred tastes.

[@starttherebellion9146]

By the way... it's not my cup of tea either, but there are musical devices and production values used in it that are worth recognizing and learning as they apply to other styles and genres as well.

[@dougrobinson8602]

Start the Rebellion- that is probably one of the most insightful KZbin comments I've ever read. Not kidding, either. Most KZbin commenters make an average guy feel like they're Aristotle.

[@michaellnbnj]

Great observation! I preach this type of message to my fellow songwriters & musicians all of the time! "Just because you don't like it doesn't mean that it sucks." Open up your mind & give it a listen, and you just might learn something from it. Brilliant comment Start The Rebellion!

[@CED3]

It would be interesting to do a “What Makes This Song Bad” series, they could be really funny to watch!

[@pedropessoa2246]

That would be really awesome hahahahaha never had thought of that!

[@cli260]

You can watch todd in the shadows for that, since he's rarely into positive reviews😅

[@mitchweiner]

Rick has said he doesn’t want to insult bands or songs. I doubt you will see him do such a series!

[@kiliankraus]

would be awesome, but peak on those who made the song

[@SubtleHawk]

I recommend Pat Finnerty's channel. He has a series of videos that are a parody of Beato's. It's called "What Makes This Song Stink" and they are absolutely hilarious.

[@biplab7444]

ooh the rockists are gonna be triggered by this one

[@josephrees4414]

It's a class song tho they can't deny it's clever

[@onevoiceinc]

I'm biting my nails as I'm watching this video. Where's the guitar solo? Lol On the plus side, I applaud the diversity in this channel...

[@biplab7444]

Nah, I'm pretty sure true rockists wouldn't even watch the video and dislike immediately. I could see a hefty ratio of the dislikes on the video less than 5 minutes after it was uploaded. The video is 17 minutes long.

[@junaidisutara4577]

biplab I'm pretty sure most that don't like current pop songs(me included), don't like the overproduced nature of it other than the usual complaints, rick pointed out you'll only hear the good parts underneath the dense layers if you isolate them.

[@matimacek6438]

may have some interesting ideas or harmonies, but by NO means this song is "GREAT".

[@CortMarshal]

That Eb add4/6 is a really nice flavor

[@velhomiguel]

CortMarshal agree. I wonder if artists in general even know those kind of chords. I’ve been writing music for ten years but never studied music theory. I usually just go with what sounds good, so this is basically “a cool variation of Eb” to me.

[@liteoner]

@@velhomiguel It's always good to keep in mind that practice always precedes theory. I can guarantee that they didn't write the song thinking "hmm, maybe let's try an add4/6". They were probably just playing around with chords and went with what sounded good.

[@stateofnation7991]

Videos like this are why I subscribed. I've always liked this song, but always seen it as a trashy guilty pleasure. You really help me to appreciate the subtle nuances and also why it's these subtle nuances (that I'd never consciously thought about) that make the song. Thank you.

[@carpepesci]

Same here. This was the only song that I would pay attention to when it was played on the radio at work. The way the lyrics and vocal melodies played against the music certainly made this song stand out. There is a simple genius in well written 3 chord songs, as the Beatles demonstrated. Maybe this generation of popular music makers isn't completely lost.

[@shell1338]

I agree 100%. This really helped me hear why is liked this song so much.

[@WalkerHagius]

This.

[@BoneMachineMUC]

This, exactly

[@renoutlaw8371]

I actually really like these pop analysis videos as much if not more than the really complicated well-known rock tracks. It helps me not feel guilty or ashamed for enjoying "simple", "normie' or "commercial" music. Edit: I do agree with some of the other commenters in that I would like to see some analysis of similar artists with slightly more musical complexity e.g. deadmau5, Avicii, even some analysis of Hip-Hop production (albeit it is kind of hard to beat Genius when they have the producers themselves analyzing the song)

[@TalodzBandigas]

I agree man. It's more complicated than it seemed. Love this song

[@MrJwilliams912]

This (and the one on Max Martin) are among the most helpful/relevant to songwriters hoping to be successful among modern music. I love rock as much as anyone else here but music always moves - you can either move with it or find a niche. That said, DON'T COMPROMISE YOUR OWN MUSIC, but it's a good idea to learn tricks from different genres. Especially the music an average person finds appealing. Thanks Rick!

[@eddiesafc73]

THIS

[@MrJwilliams912]

Abhisek, I'm not thrilled about that trend either but some electronic music is very sophisticated and some is just terrible. Just like any genre - it takes talent to do it well. I don't think rock will come back like it did BUT INSTRUMENTS WILL. People like the energy/unpredictability that synths make possible, but eventually they'll get their fill of it and they'll miss the authenticity and sounds instruments bring. For now though BE SMART ABOUT IT - I think that tying in instruments with modern beats is a great opportunity to be unique/expressive AND appealing.

[@nolanvernon6667]

DEFTONES

[@thedarkenergist]

Speaking of bands that can write a song with 3 chords and have it actually be worth listening to.

[@Sansgreycells]

Yes Deftones... Maybe Sextape...

[@mrfuck792]

fuck yeah!!

[@saidoterodiseno]

11:12 I thought Rick was about to drop some freestyle on that LOL

[@GergoErdi]

*hoped

[@salmazzotta4247]

I didn’t even watch this yet, but the fact that Rick is open to analyze any piece of music is probably the reason why he became so knowledgeable and successful - unlike some of these scrubs here. Rick I wish you taught at my university when I was in school!

[@nataliatc1]

Same.

[@kpierce1111]

Also I would really LOVE to see you approach less mainstream EDM stuff that might be a tiny bit more complex. Artists like Illenium, Seven Lions, and Porter Robinson have some really great stuff that is interesting from a theory and production standpoint, especially Porter Robinson. As much as I love rock, I enjoy writing electronic music and am fascinated by some of the theory principles like modal interchange that is common in the less mainstream areas of EDM. Love the vids man!

[@enlightenedsoul8897]

Illenium is pretty mainstream.

[@z_mariani]

I can second this! Hopefully he does

[@dwtn81]

Go ‘head Rick!! Breaking down one of your kids songs! What makes this DAD GREAT!!!!

[@dwtn81]

Abhisek Mukherjee That’s funny! 😂

[@TonyWalkerIsYourBestFriend]

Cool, not a big fan of the song but the production value is cool. Nice to see different types of music being broken down as well.

[@Timliu92]

Why do many people find it hard to understand that the complexity of your chords or techniques does not make a great song? Seriously, I have heard a number of complex tunes that are awful and lead to nowhere for me and simple, 4-chord songs that either move me to tears or make me want to groove along and have fun with my friends - and I love The Beatles, Queen, Led Zeppelin and The Beach Boys as much as the likes of Ed Sheeran, Charlie Puth and Bruno Mars. Besides, all art is subjective anyway - just because The Chainsmokers is not my cup of tea does not make it a bad song in the least bit. The song that Rick analyzed in this video is a good tune for its style or genre, and the fact that many people love it shows that those guys are doing something right. Great video Rick! Thank you for not being a snob and for always opening yourself to various styles of music :)

[@RickBeato]

Thanks! That’s the right attitude

[@pwtrdalton427]

This is why I love this series. It's easy for Rick to sell me on a band or a song I already love. But here he took a song I don't care for and convinced me there's a lot of respectable nuance that I probably wouldn't have noticed otherwise. Great job as always, Rick!

[@toxto]

Please do Dua Lipa - New Rules next, the drum fill before the chorus is over my head

[@bluemcdaniel99]

toxto YES!!! Please!

[@mohommadkhan4951]

YES THAT DRUM FILL!!! UGHH!

[@mohommadkhan4951]

Though I feel like it’s some reverse technique

[@samgriffithsmusic]

That fill is pretty great! It goes past the 1 of the next bar, which is why it flows so well, so the chorus lands on beat 2. Also there are lots of layered percussion samples creating the complex sound

[@turkdwl]

The producer actually explains it on his Instagram! Go find @cloudology he has it as a Instagram Story highlight.

[@Reimalken]

As much as it is a very simple song, I kind of think that this is the point. If you can't say why a simple song is really effective then you are less well equipped to talk about why a complex one works. Good video as always!

[@IstanaAnginWorldwide]

People hates this song for no reason. Now years had passed, it's a classic.

[@jgarcia2273]

Hey Rick, can you do any song from Stadium arcadium by the Chili Peppers? Id love to see songs like Hey and Wet Sand.

[@DreDay1993]

Yes! Or turn it again or animal bar

[@MustaFunk95]

I hope he knows about Stadium Arcadium cus most of the songs in that record deserve an episode !

[@bryantdegroot9269]

The solos on turn it again would be epic to hear broken down

[@Wakeywhodat]

I identify as a Zeppelin or Allman Bros kind of guy but I agree 100%. That entire album is spot on. Another guilty pleasure is Collective Soul.

[@sammalla5238]

Wet sand's solo makes me nut everytime...Has to be broken down

[@andzwe]

They sound like singers who could well do without the auto-tuning, but auto-tune has become a processing sound that (young) people have become used to, so they use it anyway. It's what's associated with contemporary popmusic. One can argue that a natural sounding human voice would in fact sound out of place in combination with the fully electronic instrumental part. Popmusic reflects the time we live in, so there you have it.

[@RickBeato]

True

[@Katatopianos]

Anyone who wants to be a serious musician needs to listen to all types of music. You may not like the song but, in this case in particular, it shows the importance of production. Everyone out there bashing Rick because of his song selection need to get of your high horses and listen to Rick because I guarantee you he knows a hell of a lot more about music than you. Thank you Rick for being the best source of musical education anywhere.

[@ideasmatter4737]

I would subtitle this, "Why you like this song even though you don't want to"

[@RickBeato]

I like that!!

[@rudeboyspodcast]

Although I disagree that this song can be considered "great," I'm all for more of this series! Thanks!

[@smokesgtp]

Agreed.

[@milamber319]

I suspect a tradeoff from a buddy to get another song. I'm sure it was a good trade.

[@soxysoxy3277]

that's missing the point of the whole series it's great in the context of production

[@JatayuRecords]

Yeh!! Diverse is the keyword.

[@mathewbrown9371]

the Chainsmokers: "I drink too much and that's an issue" the Doors: "Well, I woke up this morning / And I got myself a beer /The future's uncertain and the end is always near"

[@HARTYNMUGHES]

That Doors lyric is just as direct and basic. Stop being so cringey.

[@1ellisd1]

you're so pretentious

[@mathewbrown9371]

​@@HARTYNMUGHES Few Doors lyrics are as basic as they seem. The ability to be direct in songwriting is not a weakness, if aptly used. I think you guys are missing the point. When Jim sings it, he's not just showboating, he really means it. I mean, the guy sings "The future's uncertain and the end is always near" and he's dead a year later. That's an amazing and powerful line written by someone who lived on the edge, it's not just some 80s rock cliché. Morrison was a true rock and roll poet and in literary terms, his lyrics are entirely unique in the history of music and miles ahead of anything that's be sneezed out today. You're entitled to your opinions and so am I. Stay well, happy new year!

[@mathewbrown9371]

@@1ellisd1 I'm aware that many people today consider caring about the direction and meaning of culture and art as pretentious. If that is how you define pretentious, I'll gladly be put on the gallows. We don't have to agree. Best to you and happy new year!

[@BibleStorm]

How to chainsmokers 1. win the college frat boy popularity contest 2. pirate ableton, kontakt and serum 3. presets 4. 4 chords 5. banal lyrics only a 12 year old could identify with inB4 rick rips into me so hard I want to give up at the only thing I love

[@RickBeato]

Haha

[@philippemassart7562]

Thanks Rick for "dissecting" this song. I always thought this song stood out in the vast jungle of EDM songs that have been released in the last decade. You put your finger on this feeling in this video. Keep it up!

[@ProximaCentauri88]

I never liked the Chainsmokers but I like what this episode does in teasing the elitists in rock music. Rick, please do: ▪Stereophonics (Dakota) ▪ Imogen Heap (Hide and Seek) ▪Keane (Everybody's Changing) ▪Franz Ferdinand (Take Me Out) ▪Amy Winehouse (Rehab) ▪Enya (Caribbean Blue, Only Time) ▪The Carpenters ▪Fiona Apple (Fast As You Can) ▪Beck (Loser) ▪Travis (Sing) ▪Bee Gees ▪Al Stewart (Year of the Cat) ▪Simon and Garfunkel (The Only Living Boy In New York) ▪Portishead (Glory Box) ▪The Cranberries (Dreams) ▪Depeche Mode ▪The Smiths ▪When In Rome (Promise) ▪The Strokes ▪MGMT ▪Cigarettes After Sex (Nothing's Gonna Hurt You) ▪The Cardigans ▪REM ▪The Darkness (I Believe In This Thing Called Love)

[@TheUnmitigatedDawn]

lester andes Keane Yes How about Somewhere only we know or Crystal Ball?

[@lucaschacon8362]

Porcupine Tree!! Or Jeff Buckley please!!

[@eric-seastrand]

That feeling when ... you learn more by watching a KZbin video ... than you did by going to college. This is definitely one of those videos for me. Keep up the great work man!!

[@Adamhc75]

I am on old school rocker. But this is actually one of my favorite songs on top 40 radio right now..

[@Rostanl]

I feel like I am getting a university quality teaching every time I watch your videos.

[@MindfulProgramming]

Hey I don't love this song, but I appreciate you presenting the great sounds from tons of different creative people. That's why I love your work! To the haters: go ask your favorite artists about what popular music they listen to, a LOT of metal musicians draw influence equally from other heavy music as they do country, hip-hop, pop, and electronic music. The point of it all (in my opinion) is learning empathy and altruism. I try to think about what techniques(production, instrumentation, pacing, key signatures, etc.) they use to tell their stories effectively. It is okay to not like this music, but maybe you can learn to understand what makes this song great to other people. EDIT: while watching this video for example, I came up with my own little(non-metal) riff on my baritone guitar tuned to F#. Very fun!

[@rifqiprasetio9313]

I entered college in 2016, where this song is kind of the 'anthem' of my freshman years. The eagerness and passionate feeling just sync and so relevant with early college life. People just keep playing it like forever in the cafes, auditoriums before an event, etc. This is the best yet simplest song that ever hits.

[@LeoMrz]

MANY ROCK FANS FEEL THEIR MANLINESS THREATENED BY THIS VIDEO RICK! I just watched the PJ - Garden video before this which is one of my all-time favorites and skipped to this. I really admire that you can appreciate and show the elements of good composition regardless the genre, thanks for sharing this series, peace!

[@forfor6450]

I see more comments along the lines "rock fans triggered xD" than rock fans that actually triggered in this comment section.

[@justingarcia7722]

Rick constantly has his hand on the pulse and for that he can see past his own prejudices and personal preferences to appreciate the nuance and cleverness behind modern pop hits. Music is constantly evolving and there is something to appreciate and gain from being open to everything that’s happening. I’m a guitar player and found myself in a rut with approaching the instrument traditionally after many years working in conventional formats yet since delving into the new school of hip hop, rnb and pop driven by soul/gospel and novel approaches to production and value, I’ve been able to overcome that plateau and bring something fresh to my playing. It’s worth it to step outside you comfort zone. Great vid !

[@agento86]

Love your enthusiasm , Rick. It's contagious! On another note, I think this "might" be the first time seeing 6-7-1 progression used outside of gospel music realms where it's typically used as a device or a "turn around" to resolve to tonic. Anyone have any other contemporary examples? I don't listen to much pop music ( listen to everything else) so I have no idea if the usage of this progression is prevalent in this genre of music.

[@froloffanton]

It's ridiculously common in rock music

[@GrachLP]

Its pretty much the Minor "vi IV V I" progression, which would read "i VI VII III" but without the last chord.

[@agento86]

Thanks!

[@AdamANelson]

Rick, I've got a theory that songs like this are actually in their relative Major, despite the fact that they don't ever play the I chord. I'm talking about songs like Justin Bieber's "Sorry", "Tik Tok", "Teenage Dream" (despite its deceptive opening), "Treasure", "Last Friday Night" etc. By intentionally leaving the I chord out, the song sounds like it has a perpetual groove, like it will never end (and neither will the party!) because the tension is never resolved to the I chord. Most pop songs in minor (or more commonly, Dorian) will still have a V (or Vm) - I cadence somewhere (Boulevard of Broken Dreams, Careless Whisper), which tells our ears exactly which chord is the I chord. The above songs don't have this, and ending on the "vi" chord never makes the song sound finished, at least to my ears. When performing these songs live without the luxury of a studio fade out, I often play the missing I chord and the song finally sounds finished. I think the composers are at least subconsciously aware of this trick they're pulling off. Thoughts?

[@Roikat]

I agree that this chord progression gives a "perpetual groove" effect, and have also speculated similarly regarding the lack of resolution to an implied major chord. The subject of simple chord progressions that psychologically suggest they should be on perpetual repeat is fascinating.

[@Vordrab]

All those dad-rockers in a comment section... :D I'm not a huge fan of modern pop music, but can't you see that in terms of harmony (not to mention production) it's way more complicated than 4 power chords song with a generic pentatonic solo? I love rock music, but you can't deny that it really takes a lot of talent to produce those songs (way more than a generic rock/metal song).

[@TheLuizSouza]

Waaaaaaaaaaay more.

[@Guitarplayer724]

Vordrab So it’s just 3 chords and the melody is all pentatonic. How much more complicated is it?

[@krisdaschwab912]

Sure, this is more complicated than Nickelback or Five Finger Death Punch, but that's like saying Portuguese is more complicated than Spanish.

[@sottinger2638]

The takeaway on this video should be- Don't peak in high school!!- you will close yourself off from so much if you get stuck in a rut. All you classic rockers don't still have mullets, right?

[@mihneazoican2479]

Before watching: wtf Rick, really? Wait for the edit EDIT: Ok, I spoke too early. I can't say I like the song but at least now I can appreciate it more, I understand why you would pick this

[@RickBeato]

Mihnea Zoican watch the video. Learn something dude.

[@mat_j]

it's a good song but personally got bored and annoyed with it before it ended

[@freeman7079]

Mihnea Zoican what’s the point in even commenting. Trying to be funny or something? Narcissistic jack asses are the worst musicians.

[@mat_j]

Politicrat Dude it's serious a stuff, we are roasting Rick here. Belive me,he can take it, he's a big boy...:D

[@mihneazoican2479]

@@freeman7079 Nah man, I was just trying to express an honest opinion. I disliked the song mainly because I've heard it hundreds of times but never really paid attention to it. Rick's video made me see what's great about it. Check out the comments on the live rant, I'm not the only one. Also, I don't see what's narcissistic about my comment and I find it far worse to insult people on the internet just because you don't agree with them

[@jameswright8948]

This song always reminded me of "Over My Head" by The Fray. It's the same chord progression and even that lead piano riff at the end of "Over my Head" is the lead synth riff in this song. Listen to both songs closely, you won't be able to un-hear it after.

[@wackjagner]

James Wright i believe the members of the fray are credited as songwriters for this song, so i’m assuming they sampled it or something. i never realized that though!!

[@Xenthorx]

Didn't know CHAINSMOKERS but as usual Rick diving into the production was incredibly interesting !

[@audetbull9138]

Simple yet profound....insightful episode!

[@gavinmcmahan]

Yaaaas. Thanks for respecting pop production and arrangement, dude!! I’d love to hear your take on the new MUTEMATH record. Lots of chromatic mediants but all wrapped up in an alt/pop masterpiece.

[@PatFlanigan]

I think we Rockists here need to either open our minds or expand our horizons a bit. I don't personally like Chainsmokers, but I can appreciate Rick's work. As fans and students of music, we all need to learn to appreciate good songwriting, good production, good melodies, good hooks or even good music marketing when it's present, and I think it's present here. Rick does a great job at pointing all of that out in this video and that's why he deserves the subs, the views and the likes. Don't just dislike 'cause you hate Chainsmokers; that's not the point btw! Great job, Rick!

[@matimacek6438]

I won't dislike the video because it's well analyzed, but by NO MEANS this song is "Great", it is just popular and a momentary hit; real GREAT songs persist through time. IMO, by listening a few times this song, I just don't want to hear to it again. Becomes really boring, repetitive, and specially shallow, even though I understand that it may be interesting to analyze, as they may have some good ideas on their melody, but again, that is not enough to make it a GREAT song.

[@PatFlanigan]

Mati Macek I tend to agree, but I guess we’ll see how this song does over time. But should Rick then only do old classics that have been hits for decades? That would get « old » fast! Haha

[@RaynaVandel]

Love your videos Rick! Love to see how passionate you are about so many styles of music! It's such an important trait in a musician. I tried to explain this to my students!

[@ckjjclan]

This shows me that the diss of “anyone with a laptop can write a hit song”... might be true, but watching you break this down, I’m led to believe these guys were either stupid lucky (not likely), or actually dang good composers, with a laptop. I too have a guilty pleasure over this song... I really appreciate you doing this, this was really cool.

[@RfdMusicOfficial]

haha love how he calls the "drop" an interlude! Great video though!

[@TheBigMoneyRecords1]

LMAO why did I have to scroll this far to find this. Called it a bridge once too! Great analysis though. Doesn't know EDM terms but knows why it works!

[@brockjennings]

Other than a love of listening to music, I have no abilities of dissecting or deconstructing a composition. I envy Rick's ability to deep dive into a piece and extract its deeper meaning and the level of effort an artist put into their creation.

[@kpierce1111]

I am not a fan of The Chainsmokers at all, but as somebody who has tried to write generic pop music to prove it isn't that hard, it is WAY harder than people give it credit for. There's a certain art to creating hooks that will stick in somebody's head for hours and making a simple four chord progression get a crowd dancing and singing along. I don't respect it from a technical musicianship standpoint but I do absolutely respect it from a songwriting standpoint. I don't think these are songs that will be played in 60 years but I do think they have a place in the music world and think some of the followers freaking out about you covering such a poppy artist have really misplaced anger.

[@ihsantriapramanda1973]

Kyle Pierce Well said. Complex and generic music, both have their place and listeners who genuinely enjoyed it

[@josephstalin188]

The songwriting is hard enough but do not get me started on the production. That is extremely hard

[@freeman7079]

Rick, you’ve made me listen to music differently. Thank you.

[@Saranshsharmaa]

Do ben Howard.

[@alex0589]

i think he's hetero

[@pa55enger]

I se...fourth this notion. Majorly.

[@michaelholmes9874]

Ben Howard is a good shout

[@johnmurphy9801]

I don't know if this comment will ever be seen or acknowledged, but I watch many of these videos and so few I get bored with. I love that you do so many genres, and in the vein of pop songs I would love your take on so many songs. Primarily a what makes this song great/actually better than their biggest hit is "Alive and Kicking" by Simple Minds. It has movements, tempo changes, and a brilliant sound. Or, with Halloween coming up I would love to see your take on "Cry Little Sister".

[@standardofexcellence]

Rick is getting into newer music, nice move

[@heckler73]

2:09 for anyone who doubts Rick is of Italian extraction.

[@jdavidmoreiraify]

Eminem next?

[@sahiljaipur]

"I know it's really autotune but it sounds killer." That line alone makes this my favorite wmtsg video. A reminder that no device is ever off the table in music, as long as it appeals to the listener. The electric guitar met with similar resistance in the beginning, and look at it now. On a different note, about time you did a third steely dan song, Rick. :)

[@missblackwood]

I LOVE this series!!!! 🔥🔥🔥Please do some Kate Bush and Mark Knopfler 🧡💜🧡💜🧡💜

[@djlocodoc]

Hands down the best evaluation I have seen on this song. Well done!

[@DingusMcBrungus]

I wonder if the people who hate this song for being a constant three chord progression and melodically simple also hate Hans Zimmer's Interstellar theme for being the same constant three chord progression and melodically simple Or perhaps they're just contrarians

[@swiggyswagg4292]

This really opened my eyes with this group and other 'pop' musicians. I bashed this song for it's simplicity and that a baby could write it but this proved me wrong 110%. I really learned a valuable lesson and am very glad I came back to watch this video that I missed.

[@lukeb2818]

Todays episode of "What Makes This Song Okay?"

[@onijunbei]

Lmao

[@D3r3k2323]

Or what makes this song popular

[@steelframe]

Sometime in the near future somebody will start a "What makes this video great" channel, and it will be all Beato. Never heard of these guys, (I'm an oldie) but the attention to detail tells me all I need to know about this guy's love for what he does. We should all get this much joy for what we do.

[@michaelscott1199]

Lud·dite a person opposed to increased industrialization or new technology. "a small-minded Luddite resisting progress"

[@RickBeato]

Logan Finn Well, pick a better song and make your own video. Please send a link to my email: [e-mail]

[@Ando2k10]

As a metal head, I find it interesting that so many of the pop songs that you breakdown are also songs that Frog Leap Studios' Leo Moracchioli did as metal covers.

[@uneedtherapy42]

I love this tune and I also love stuff like Edgard Varese's Ionisation... so yea its possible to like both

[@EnDTh3S1L3NcE]

I've grown up with the early 2000s rock sound stuck in my head, love prog metal and such, but I'll happily admit im a sucker for this song, yes it's pretty generic and the lyrics are meh, but it's got a nice flow and moving beat, also Halsey's voice is quite captivating

[@keepitheavymetalm1088]

Hey Rick, I'm thankful for you doing what you do. Though I'm a metal head and this isn't my style of music, I can appreciate the efforts you put into making these videos and exposing all of your viewers to something we may not ever seek out. Sadly, the more subscribers you have, the more negative feedback you're going to receive. I know you may not like when something negative is written, but you the creator just has to let it happen. And with that, I believe most of your followers are of the positive and supportive kind and they can answer back to those that are negative. It's just how social media works. 99.9% of these people would never say the things they say to someone's face, but put them behind a keyboard and they have balls of steel! There's so many content creators that put stuff out and let their followers do what they do. Sure, there's a handful of idiots within the bunch, but the majority of your followers are smarter than that and can spot them a mile away. They'll either engage with the banter or if they're like me, ignore them and move on to the more intelligent comments. Keep doing what you do and do it for you, and those of us who are here for the right reasons will keep coming back and supporting you, no matter what the content is. Thanks, Stephen C.

[@RickBeato]

Thanks Stephen- I don’t really care if people complain here. I think it’s funny that people whine about videos like this. Rick

[@IAmGeorgeLucas]

What if I told you it's possible to like cheesy pop music, classic rock, and any other type of music simultaneosly?

[@nickhaldin8674]

George Lucas I would tell you that you unlocked the secret of the universe

[@IcaroFarias]

These videos are like therapy

[@livingbeings]

If you're going to do the Chainsmokers, you should really do Gotye. If not 'somebody that i used to know' then 'state of the art'

[@_MrAvocado_]

Heart's a Mess is his best track.

[@livingbeings]

@@_MrAvocado_ 'Heart's a Mess' is brilliant too. I can't think of any artist with comparable talent and execution when it comes to nuanced and powerful digital music production. He definitely deserves a video, whichever track Rick chooses.

[@Hrit]

This guy is musically more talented than Alex and Andrew for sure.

[@deangoritz9625]

Yeah whatever Rick with the Dopey single-minded naysayers who know nothing about the value of killer production and a great Melody. I have to tell you I'm not up on the pop scene so I've never heard this song before but I understand exactly what you're talking about of what makes the song great. It actually reminds me in that chorus part the keyboards almost have a in your eyes from Peter Gabriel vibe to it. Awesome as usual Rick thanks again

[@mattmarkus4868]

Dude, just cuz someone thinks this song sucks doesn't mean they're automatically single-minded naysayers. Stop putting people into boxes

[@RickBeato]

Matt Markus yeah Dean even if it’s true :)

[@michaelholmes9874]

Rick Beato the point of you making these videos is to help us learn. If anyone wants to listen to their favourite songs all day, Spotify can do that for you easily it’s called a playlist. Keep doing what you are doing Rick, educate us!

[@abrahamcarrillo7722]

Love the picks that you take a “closer” look at. Makes me want to jam out to the song after the video with a whole new appreciation.

[@jonah9725]

Hey Rick, good to see another video in this series but the video title is very contradictory. Much love.

[@jamesbrown9130]

I don't recall if it was a Count Basie quote but it goes something like this...."There are only 2 kinds of music, good music and bad music. I listen to good music." Rick Beato is that guy!

[@garububoy]

I'm tired of close-minded rockists/metalheads who think they've got the best taste in music, and despise everything in pop music. If you really want sophistication and complexity , why don't you go and listen to the aydin's videos that Rick has posted, learn to appreciate music that is really rich and complex ? In the meantime, you can also appreciate a well written pop tune, with a simple but efficient and catchy melody and good production.

[@RickBeato]

garububoy Exactly. They don’t want to listen to the real cutting edge music like Aydin’s. Sounds like a bunch of old guys living in the past.

[@ananthd4797]

I'll have to agree with you here. Well said.

[@krisdaschwab912]

I'm a metalhead, but I don't despise all Pop music. I love Rumor Has It and was quite happy that Rick broke it down. This song is not something I can get behind, though. But again, just because I don't like it doesn't mean other people won't. I'm sure Rick will have more videos that appeal to me and others like me. Still watched this one the whole way through, by the way. It's a quality breakdown.

[@mattyc.9332]

Then why worry about what other people think? Lol.

[@smjames4808]

I don't think people who listen to pop radio are any more likely to go listen to Aydin than the "rockers" are. One group isn't more close-minded than the other.

[@davidrobinson5180]

SO glad you're doing a song more related to the EDM genre. EDM has some excellent production these days. Glad someone's finally breaking it down!

[@PBrrtrn]

It has nothing to do with the genre, hell I think it's worth it to analyze even the simplest songs to find how they achieve their dramatic effect. This video is awesome and on par with your great channel, but the use of the word "great" triggers me lmao Chainsmokers are so bad

[@patothetrick]

I'm with you man, haha. I made it most the way through just to understand what he liked about it. Always interesting.

[@RickBeato]

Pablo Berrotaran Says who? Triggered? Hahahaha.

[@michaelholmes9874]

Compared to what? Anyone who can write and produce a song that moves people these days is worth consideration

[@MCM686]

Im guessing the music components for this song actualky makes it more unique, i agree is the not a great song to me compared to other gems Rick analized in this series. But its RICK BEATO i think he makes the analysis of the song to be great.

[@nathangoodson7390]

Thanks for pointing out the mechanisms behind why some of this more modern pop music "grabs" my ear and uses dissonance to keep me interested. I'm a fan of classical, jazz, rock, folk, electronic. Never understood why I could find all of these separately interesting but you are really helping me learn!

[@phyfts]

Rick, we need to talk about this...

[@RickBeato]

No, we don't.

[@phyfts]

@@RickBeato LOL. Fair enough, sir. You're the man!

[@odpunk23]

Dude, your song choices continue to be on point. This is by far the best Chainsmokers song (kinda the only one I like by them tbh). As a straight up pop-punk kid for llfe, the influences on this song are clear and speak to my soul haha (cue Blink-182 ref). One thing though, in the first chorus vocal stack it doesn't really sound like Halsey doing the high octave, it sounds more like either a falsetto or straight up pitch-shifted Andrew Taggart, either way heavily tuned to give it that nasty but great electronic tone. Halsey's voice would sound way more natural up in that range, even if they tuned the bejesus out of it. You can tell because on the second chorus her voice is blended w/ Taggart's in that octave and it beefs up the second chorus nicely. Also, I like that you mention that they extend the instrumental interlude. It's the clear EDM influence of pop music today, where vocal chorus hooks have kind of been ditched for dance breaks. I like that this song has both, whereas a bunch of tunes today don't bother to write lyrical choruses anymore. (Also the lyrics of this tune are really good.) Anyway, keep up the great work, Rick!