YouTube Vevo Music Videos Inflate Plays

YouTube Vevo Music Videos Inflate Plays

This is not a fact, I am simply sharing my observation with you ...

I landed on the above music video from Bullet For My Valentine which plays through Vevo on YouTube. Side note, the song didn't really hit radio where I live but I absolutely love this song and the band. Lyrics are a little weaker than the music I find, but overall very rocking. Now back to the reason for the post.

The video today showed over 20,000,000 views with roughly 1,100 star ratings. That means only 1 rating came for every roughly 18,000 views. I found that rediculously low so I went to compare with the first video that popped in my head that I knew wouldn't be under Vevo and would probably have some what 'honest' stats:

The above video is of a song I discovered last year and couldn't stop listening to. I even wrote a whole blog on these guys - People in Planes.

In any case, today the music video has roughly only 48,000 views and 218 ratings meaning 1 rating for every 220 views! Compared to 1 in 18,000, talk about a difference.

All that to say, with this quick observation along with a few others I've made of music videos not on Vevo, I am personally under the assumption that most videos under Vevo ('major' acts) have inflated plays / views which in turn produces these low rating to view ratios. Even if we consider people can view Vevo videos at http://www.vevo.com/ now, still, the video in my example with 20 million views was favorited only 120 times at Vevo with a single page of comments so I don't see that angle accounting for millions of plays.

You make your own conclusion but I found it interesting. At the same time I understand for any music label to want to give the impression of having their new music videos played millions of times even if it's only a front as it's more impressive to users than an honest 48,000 plays right.

Nothing new here though, just another example that it's all for show. Marketing wise, I agree with them. Why do you think commercials still use the '2,000,000 satisfied customers to date!' type of lines? I guess if people feel millions before them thought a product was worth spending money on, must mean it's good and you wouldn't be a crazy person if you did too? As a consumer though, hearing these types of lines makes me do a little more research before jumping in.

I put this blog together to simply put out a possibility so that if any of you judge a song even slightly before listening to it by looking at stats, quit it! If you have to, listen to the song first, see what you think about it, then take a look at the plays out of curiosity so it won't influence you before even taking an ear to something. Be open to new music regardless if the band is backed by a huge record company that has bots inflating plays or just a starter band as you may pass up discovering those hundreds and thousands of really rocking smaller bands with only 10,000 views but some of the greatest music you'll ever hear.

Beyonce Grammy Performance 2010

Beyonce Grammy Performance 2010

Thinking back at the Grammy awards this year, there were so many that were singing off key and just didn't grab my attention so I felt for the few that did do an awesome job, why not show some support and share with you their great performances.

Earlier this week, I posted up a blog on Lady Gaga and Elton John's Grammy Performance which was easily the best of the evening so today, a look at Beyonce's grammy performance.

Things have really kicked up a notch as far as entertainment these past few years with larger set ups, bigger stages, and more back up dancers / singers. Beyonce made great use of all of it this year putting on a killer performance.

"Halo" is a great song to begin with but they made it interesting from the start with an awesome solo piano part, the horn and much more orchestral section right after, continuous alterations and dynamics throughout, then cutting into Alanis Mroissette's "You Oughta Know", and back to finish "Halo".

Another impressive part was the stage show she gave, running around like crazy, moving like an animal and singing in key without giving us the feeling at any point of being out of breathe or it being hard for her.

Beyonce, just want to say bravo! It's too bad we don't have more "real" entertainers around at shows like these that can pull off every angle of a performance as well as she did.

To everyone else, practice more. You're up against some serious competition so no singing off key dammit and give us a show will you. Don't be lazy.

Lady Gage and Elton John Best Grammy Performance

Lada Gaga and Elton John Best Grammy Performance

So I took a look at all of the grammy performances. I may comment on a few but I wanted to at least put this blog together dedicated to the best musical performance of the night in my opinion. Lady Gage and Elton John. Absolutely amazing.

We may think Lada Gaga tries a little too hard at times with her over the top outfits but put that aside for a second. This girl can sing and entertain and you're either a fool or have very particular taste if you disagree. She may not have the biggest or best voice even in comparison to the other perofmers that night, but at the least, man is she on and that's way more than I can say about Taylor Swift for example who took home quite a few awards but when it came time to perform, I practically changed the channel cause her singing was so off key. Given, Lady Gaga went on first so chances are the sound was set just right before the show started and then as it's live, you do the best you can so it's very possible Taylor Swift couldn't hear a thing she sang. Don't know, maybe she has hundreds of live clips where she is rocking it out and the music and vocals are on but I'm only going by that evening for this blog.

Ok, back to Lady Gaga. Even the stage set up, the narrator between her performace of the 2 songs, the dark look, double piano with arms coming out of it, the whole thing oozes entertainment and she sang very well, kicking off the show with one of the biggest songs of last year.

To top it, you have Elton John singing with her for the second half which holy crap, can this guy be any better vocally? Everytime I heard anything he did live, it could be an album take and would rock. Props to Elton John, it just goes to show how a pro who's been around does it and how he can put practically all the singers that night to shame pitch wise at least.

By far, this was my favorite musical performance of the evening.

Enjoy the clip!

American Idol - Can You Dig It

American Idol - Can You Dig It

I wanted to share with you guys one of my favourite 'bad' auditions from a past season of American Idol.

Singer, dancer, musician Leroy Wells with his abundance of energy trying to convince the judges and guest judge Gene Simons to get him to Hollywood. Though the effort didn't pan out, he has to be one of the most entertaining characters I've ever seen on the show. I just wish they would make a reality show around this guy. I practically don't care what he'd be doing, as long as they let him pitch his talent to random people or execs, or just let him be himself in public with different challenges every week.

Leroy, screw American Idol. I haven't been that entertained from any other audition thus far. You rock!

Simon Cowell Leaving Americal Idol for X Factor

Simon Cowell Leaving American Idol

After being part of America's most popular show, news hit that Simon Cowell has decided to leave American Idol after this season.

Simon Cowell was making a reported $36 million a year to be on American Idol and offered much more to stay but as the reason for leaving is to bring his own show over (The X Factor) which is already popular in Britan, chances are if it becomes a hit here, $36 million would be just a fraction of what he'll earn. Fox has already agreed to take the show on so expect a new talent show to keep track of soon.

The decision comes as a surprise to loads of fans, me included. After all, let's face it. Simon rocked and was the only honest judge who maintained focus, judging the performance and singing of each contestant that stepped on stage honestly, and not deviating his comments to other unecessary compliments to soften the blow. Yes, this is a Paula hit. No one cares about their nice shoes cause no one will pay to go see them walk around and sing off key all night. It's not helping anyone.

That said, the producers of Idol are faced with one heck of a dilemma. Not only did they loose Paula who even I enjoyed watching from time to time to see what would come out of her mouth next or see her slurring words, but now they are loosing the most popular and coolest judge ever. I would not want to be holding too many stocks in Idol after Simon leaves ...

So who would be a good replacement anyways? Personally, I'm finding it hard to think of Idol without him, but American Idol is such a machine. It is the reason behind the careers of some of the most successful artists of our generation. I'm sure they have a good team behind them that have a few candidates in mind, and probably the name and money to get anyone they want ... except for Simon it seems.

Mariah Carey Drunk Acceptance Speech

Drunk Mariah Carey - Highlights from her acceptance speech:

I had to share this one with you guys for anyone who hasn't seen it yet. What class. I couldn't stop laughing.

These were the highlights of Mariah Carey's acceptance speech for her award as "Breakthrough Actress" for her performance in "Precious" at the Palm Springs International Film Festival. As she's escorted to the stage, even before she could open her mouth, you could see the girl is drunk. It was the first time I was excited to hear what she had to say.

I don't blame her. These things are hours long and get boring. Even the edited versions you watch on TV can sometimes get lengthy. I for one would probably watch many more award shows from start to finish if I could expect a few drunks to give deep and intellectual speeches like Mariah.

Good job Mariah Carey. I wasn't a big fan before but I'm starting to like this one. Bottoms up!

Compare Music Download Sites in 2010

Happy New Year everyone! Hope you had a great holiday season. Went by a little too fast as usual but what can you do.

We've been meaning to revamp the site and this year, I've decided to add it as part of a lengthy resolution list. I figure at least a few resolutions will stick and this one has been put off for a little while but I think it's time to take the site to a new level.

We want to work on putting together a new look for the site and in the process, adding a few new sections to help users. Some ideas are floating around for now (mobile phone music download service reviews, top portable music players, album reviews, ...) but we wanted to open the floor to your ideas so if there's something you wish you would see on the site, contests, free music, whatever, feel free to contact us, share your thoughts, suggestions, whatever you have and we'll try to work in as many positive ideas as we can. In the end, the goal of this site was to educate users on how and where to legally download music which I think we do pretty well so might as well kick it up a notch.

If all goes well, the site revamp will get started in a few months but never the less, it's never too early to get some juices flowing so send us an email, we want to hear from you!

Either way, be sure to subscribe to our blog if you haven't already as we will keep bringing you relevant and interesting music news, personal music picks, great music videos, and much more through this music blog.