Music by Numbers: The Use and Abuse of Statistics in the Music Industries

The music industries are fueled by statistics, but many of these statistics are generated by the music industries themselves, and their accuracy can be questioned. This book explores the use and abuse of statistics in the music industries, with contributions from noted music business scholars and practitioners. It addresses five key areas in which numbers are employed: sales and awards; royalties and distribution; music piracy; music policy; and audiences and their uses of music. The digital age has prompted new ways of tracking the usage and recompense of music, as well as new means of monitoring and engaging audience behavior. This collection aims to expose the culture and politics of data and provides new ways to learn music by numbers.

Format: Hardback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 05 February 2021
Publisher: Intellect Books

The music industries are propelled by a multitude of statistics, encompassing sales targets, breakeven points, success ratios, royalty splits, website hits, ticket revenues, listener figures, piracy abuses, and vast amounts of data. These numerical indicators hold immense significance, exerting influence over the music that reaches consumers, determining the financial success of music makers, and shaping the policies of governments and legislators. However, it is important to note that many of these statistics are generated by the very entities within the music industries themselves, raising questions about their accuracy and reliability.

In order to delve into this intricate and often overlooked realm, this groundbreaking new book takes a sustained and analytical approach. While there exist books that provide insights into the workings of the music industries and academic critiques of the policies of music companies, this is the first book to comprehensively examine these subjects from a statistical perspective. This significance is particularly noteworthy as statistics have not only been employed to explain the music industries but also play a fundamental role in their functioning. They drive key policies such as signing, contractual, copyright, economic, and consumer behavior.

This edited collection presents the first in-depth exploration of the utilization and misuse of statistics in the music industries. A diverse group of internationally renowned music business scholars and practitioners contribute to the book, offering diverse perspectives on the subject matter. The book addresses five key areas where statistics are prominently employed: sales and awards, royalties and distribution, music piracy, music policy, and audiences and their engagement with music. The authors approach these topics from a multitude of angles, employing various methodologies and analytical frameworks. Some of them critically examine the veracity of this data and investigate its strategic deployment by music businesses. Others actively contribute to the generation of these statistics, conducting surveys, developing online projects, and sharing candid self-reflections.

By examining the use and abuse of statistics in the music industries, this book provides valuable insights into the complex dynamics and challenges faced by the industry. It sheds light on the ways in which numbers are employed to shape decision-making, drive revenue, and navigate the ever-evolving landscape of the music business. The book serves as a valuable resource for scholars, researchers, industry professionals, and anyone interested in understanding the intricate relationship between statistics, music, and the broader industry.

Weight: 654g
Dimension: 175 x 250 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781789382532
Edition number: New ed