Hidden Hitmakers: The unsung heroes behind pop’s biggest hits

Twenty Thousand Hertz

Dallas Taylor

Music, Design, Arts, Music Commentary

4.8 • 4.1K Ratings

🗓️ 16 March 2022

⏱️ 36 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

The names of pop and rock stars are known by millions of people around the world, but the people who actually write their music often stay in the shadows. In this episode, we peel back the curtain on the songwriters behind some of the biggest hits of the last forty years, and find out how this unseen part of the industry really works. Along the way, we’ll get the inside scoop about working with KISS, Bon Jovi, Ricky Martin, Snoop Dogg, Puff Daddy, and more. Featuring songwriter Desmond Child and rapper/songwriter Gizzle. Follow Dallas on Instagram, TikTok and LinkedIn. Watch our video shorts on YouTube, and join the discussion on Reddit and Facebook. Become a monthly contributor at 20k.org/donate. If you know what this week's mystery sound is, tell us at mystery.20k.org. Get 10% off your first month of BetterHelp online therapy at betterhelp.com/20k. Visit zocdoc.com/20k to download the Zocdoc app and sign up for free. Get one month free of Headspace at headspace.com/20k. Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/hiddenhitmakers Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	One of the best choices I ever made for my health was prioritizing regular checkups,
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0:20.0	That's Z-O-C-D-O-C-com slash H-E-R-T-Z.
0:24.3	Zocdo.com slash Hertz.
0:31.1	You're listening to 20,000 Hertz.
0:37.8	Elvis Presley was the king of rock and roll.
0:40.7	He dominated the pop charts like no solo artist had ever done before.
0:45.0	And over the course of his career, he had 18 number one songs.
0:49.5	But here's the thing.
0:51.7	Elvis didn't write any of them.
0:53.7	Not hound dog, not jailhouse rock, not blue suede shoes, and, suspiciously, not even suspicious
0:59.7	minds.
1:04.8	There was one time Elvis got a co-writing credit. It was on All Shook Up. He told people that he came up with the title.
1:18.1	But apparently, the actual songwriter Otis Blackwell only gave him the credit so the king would agree to record it.
1:27.6	But Elvis really wasn't doing anything unusual.
1:30.7	Frank Sinatra, Diana Ross, Kenny Rogers, Whitney Houston, Celine Dion, Tim McGraw,
1:36.0	and tons of other superstars didn't write their biggest hits either.
1:39.9	Instead, they relied on professional songwriters.
1:45.0	Billboard Instead, they relied on professional songwriters.
1:52.5	Billboard magazine was founded in 1894, and was originally about advertising.
	...

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