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The Secret Science of Pop
Professor Armand Leroi, an evolutionary biologist, explores the 'scientific history of pop music' and attempts to use the data to create a hit record with producer Trevor Horn.
Evolutionary biologist Professor Armand Leroi believes data science can transform the pop world. He gathers a team of scientists and researchers to analyse over 50 years of UK chart music. Can algorithms find the secret to pop success?
When the results are in, Armand teams up with hit producer Trevor Horn. Using machine-learning techniques, Armand and Trevor try to take a song by unsigned artist Nike Jemiyo and turn it into a potential chart-topper.
Armand also takes a scientific look at pop evolution. He hunts for the major revolutions in his historic chart data, looking for those artists who transformed the musical landscape. The outcomes are fascinating and surprising, though fans of the Fab Four may not be pleased with the results. As Armand puts it, the hallmark of The Beatles is 'average'.
Finally, by teaming up with ±«Óãtv research and development, Armand finds out if his algorithms can discover the stars of the future. Can he predict which of thousands of demo tracks uploaded to ±«Óãtv Introducing is most likely to be a hit without listening to a note?
This is a clash of science and culture and a unique experiment with no guarantee of success. How will the artists react to the scientist intruding on their turf? And will Armand succeed in finding a secret science of pop?
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Music Played
Timings (where shown) are from the start of the programme in hours and minutes
-
00:00
Britney Spears
Baby One More Time
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00:02
OutKast
Hey Ya!
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00:03
13th Floor Elevators
You're Gonna Miss Me
-
00:04
Kraftwerk
Autobahn
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00:07
Buggles
Video Killed The Radio Star
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00:08
Frankie Goes to Hollywood
Relax
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00:10
Justin Bieber
Baby
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00:10
Vanilla Ice
Ice Ice Baby
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00:11
Vanilla Ice
Ice Ice Baby
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00:12
Adele
Someone Like You
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00:12
Buggles
The Plastic Age
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00:15
Simon & Garfunkel
Mrs. Robinson
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00:16
The Hollies
Rockin' Robin
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00:17
The Kinks
You Really Got Me
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00:18
The Who
It's Not True
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00:19
The Beatles
Love Me Do
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00:21
The Beatles
Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band
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00:24
Kylie Minogue
Can't Get You Out Of My Head
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00:28
David Bowie
Fame
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00:29
Sex Pistols
God Save The Queen
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00:31
Sister Sledge
We Are Family
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00:32
Bee Gees
Stayin' Alive
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00:32
Sex Pistols
Anarchy In The U.K.
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00:36
Grace
You Don't Own Me (feat. ³Òâ€E²¹³ú²â)
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00:40
Rick Astley
Never Gonna Give You Up
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00:40
²¹â€h²¹
Take On Me
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00:41
Culture Club
Karma Chameleon
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00:43
Avicii
Levels
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00:44
Earth, Wind & Fire
Boogie Wonderland (feat. The Emotions)
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00:46
The Bay Rays
New ±«Óãtv
Credits
Role | Contributor |
---|---|
Presenter | Armand Leroi |
Participant | Trevor Horn |
Participant | Nike Jemiyo |
Executive Producer | Steve Crabtree |
Producer | Tom Hewitson |
Director | Tom Hewitson |
Broadcasts
- Tue 28 Feb 2017 21:00
- Sun 5 Mar 2017 00:05
- Mon 24 Jul 2017 22:00
- Thu 29 Mar 2018 21:00
- Fri 16 Nov 2018 01:35
- Fri 22 Mar 2019 21:00
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