The Pressure of working on Grammy Nominated Songs | Chris Gehringer Interview

TL;DR

The producer shares insights on identifying potential hit songs, emphasizing the importance of emotional connection to the lyrics.

Transcript

so being that you've worked on so many Grammy award-winning or nominated and just massive hits can you tell when a song comes on you know you get sent the song from any artist you're like this is gonna be a hit or can it is still sometimes surprise you the way the music industry works a lot of times like if I work with like a decent artist or like ... Read More

Key Insights

• 💩 Predicting hit songs is not foolproof and can be surprising, as even bad records can become successful.
• 💩 Emotional connection to lyrics is a crucial factor in identifying potential hits.
• 💦 Working with famous artists adds pressure to deliver exceptional work in the music industry.
• 🧑‍🎨 Feedback and concerns about the production and artist's direction can impact the quality of a record.
• 🤪 Pressure never goes away in the industry, but pushing through and remaining focused is essential for success.

Questions & Answers

Q: Can the producer always predict a hit song?

No, while the producer can often predict a hit based on experience, there are instances where seemingly bad records become successful.

Q: What features in a track indicate it could be a hit?

The producer focuses on the emotional connection he feels with the lyrics. If he gets lost and feels attached, it is a strong indication of a potential hit, regardless of the artist.

Q: How does the producer handle the pressure of working with big artists?

The producer feels pressure to make big artists happy and acknowledges the need to deliver the best record without any errors. However, there is also anxiety about getting feedback from unknown artists.

Q: How does the producer manage the pressure?

The producer pushes through and remains focused on delivering the best work. Working with iconic artists like Madonna serves as a constant reminder of the magnitude of the opportunity.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The producer can sometimes predict a hit song based on working with famous artists, but there are cases where a seemingly bad record becomes a number one hit.

• A dead giveaway for a potential hit song is when the producer emotionally connects with the lyrics, regardless of the artist's popularity.

• Working with big artists increases pressure to deliver the best record, but the producer also worries about feedback from unknown artists working with famous artists for the first time.