The music industry is such a fascinating realm of the entertainment industry because it is built upon songs. A song it like a story, and like a poem, yet the context of the song is equally as important or sometimes even less vital as the tunes, melodies, and beats in which these words are carried out. An artist is like every creator, but they must consider the style of their songs, their genre they are best situated for, and the songs they sing. In many ways, they are just like any other storyteller, who if is able to make the lyrics matter symbolically, their art will only be enhanced for those who take the time to listen. But because a song, and an artist, share the aspects of other creators and have to consider so many more equally significant aspects, I would say it is most difficult for someone to truly prosper within the music industry.

So what qualifies as success? To any regular individual like myself looking from the outside into the industry, I’d simply say being well-known and getting lots of money. After all, this implies large concert attendance, many fans, and songs that are played more than once. I’m sure at least a large majority of the population, singer or not, would love if they had this sort of successful layout. But from what I have seen with an artist is they really care about what they put out, and a multitude would even be willing to sacrifice the fame for a song that means something, a song that they are proud to present as their own. And sometimes, this music of true emotion that spill out from not only the brain, but the heart, result in some of the best songs because it is the truth. But we as an audience, probably miss out on all of these while the radio chooses to play what is popular at the time. By this logic, the best singers have true meaning and maintain that during their fame, but how common is that among the millions single-handedly writing, singing, and producing individuals posting their first song on Spotify. So the following question is, how does someone go from a microphone and their guitar to the stage in front of adoring fans screaming their name?

Someone could “blow up” in any fashion. They could show up on shuffle within a playlist, they could be shared by their friends across the world. A popular celebrity with an established following could stumble across this song, show it off, and get massive coverage. It could simply work well with an online trend. The tricky part now is how to stay there, to not just be a one hit wonder. What would a person do here? Would they try and dissect the aspects of the song that made them popular? Should they, now with the attention, change their style with what the times deems as popular? Maybe they can reach out to another celebrity with Hollywood’s glorification of celebrity partnership, and use that coverage to grow? Or what if they did none of that, and continued to write and sing what they love. What if that’s not enough?

It’s a complicated process. These are all surface level observations, taken from someone who is speculating on that path of how a song succeeds but has zero experience. Imagine what else could be said from someone who has lived the life. Some may even not suggest the fame, with the lack of privacy and the stress of keeping an online personality, or any other potential struggle that comes along with the big paycheck. I guess the biggest takeaway from this is that I have no clue how a song and person become a famous singer. Skills, meaning, tune, have no control over the possibility of chance. Fame is another slippery slope that comes with its own set of problems to discover and solve. Not even the smartest analytical person could determine what the best move an artist should make.

So to any artists out there, anyone wishing to put their mark on the world with what they create, I implore you to simply do what you love, believe in, and will be proud of. We are raised to love ourselves because there is nothing wrong with us, as long as we have no murderous tendencies. People push for equality because it is absolutely true that we are different, but equal in the ability to create and are no less of a person. Why lie to yourself and your passions to succeed? If you are perfectly acceptable in the world, why wouldn’t your music be the same.? To make a song in hopes of it being your start to a new path is essentially wishing for the lottery. Might as well make something that actually is from you, that makes you happy because that is the only thing that you as an artist can control. Fame may not even be as great as you think. Maybe you won’t get the money rolling in as you always dreamed, but at least you will have satisfaction and pride in what you made. The people that are truly successful are those who are happy with their life and who they are, anyways.