Hooks

[Dave]

[quote][i]Originally posted by scramjet[/i]
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The Knack - My Sharona

[/quote]

I think Scramjet nailed the best example for anyone who was listening in '79. My Sharona was an amazing crossover hit that dominated top 40 radio for a short while, shooting to the top of the charts. Very easy hook that caught just about everyone.

In fact at it's height, I remember a radio station conducting a "Top Rock Songs of All Time" survey as voted by the fans. I can't remember which NY area station it was, but probably something to do with the end of the decade. Remember, this was before "new wave". Anyway, My Sharona was voted into top 10, much to the consternation of the DJs who knew it would not have staying power and that no way it was it better than the endless list of great rock and roll songs. Well, 25 years later in the recent NWO survey, My Sharona didn't even rank in Top 500 "New Wave" Songs!

By the way, I'm as big a sucker for a hook as anyone... see my comment about the Kaiser Chiefs. I feel like a drug addict when I find a song with such a powerful hook. I need hit after hit after hit. I was likely one of those who voted for My Sharona back in '79 but with 25 years in the rear view, I don't even think My Sharona is the Knack's best song (Good Girls Don't is much better).

Thanks for reminding of the best example of my point.
BTW, Hey Mickey didn't make NWO's Top 500 either, but if this was 1981... [;)]

[Frau_Blucher]

Dave (or anyone else), would this be a good time to clarify the difference between a HOOK and a RIFF? I think there's some confusion. I kinda have the feel for the difference but can't define it. I know a good riff is often part of the hook of a good song, but a hook is not a riff.

[bpdp3]

This is the kind of thread that reminds me why I love this site...good points by all.

To me, the 'hook' is anything about the song that well, hooks you in. Makes you want to hear it again. Over and over. Imagine the kid playing a 45rpm repeatedly. That was me. Usually the hook is the song's chorus (such is the case with the Kaiser Chiefs - keeps you coming back, doesn't it).

I always consider a riff an instrumental 'hook', that is a repeated melodic pattern played on an instrument. Of course we always think of 'guitar riffs' ('My Sharona') more than say keyboard riffs, but to me both are valid notions. The keyboard riff in the Cure's "The Walk" is the selling point to me for that song. To me, the drum riff, the bass riff, and the guitar riff in "Blue Monday" are like fly paper.

Does this all sound as messy as it feels as I type it? It can't be helped...

At any rate, I agree that a killer hook is not a death sentence. You may not to choose to play the song now (it's already ingrained into your very being from overplay - why waste time playing when there's unexplored territory?) but you still acknowledge its greatness. Likewise, I never have to see Da Vinci's 'Mona Lisa' again, but I still know it's a terrific moment captured on canvas.

Don't we all wish we had the ability to create something mesmerizing (if even only temporarily mesmerising) like that? It's a gift.

Guilty admission - - I initially skipped over this thread thinking the Hooks was some band I was unfamiliar with (!!)

[Frau_Blucher]

bpdp3...nice job. Thanks! Exactly what I was looking for.

[Panorama]

[quote][i]Originally posted by bpdp3[/i]
<br>To me, the 'hook' is anything about the song that well, hooks you in. Makes you want to hear it again. Over and over. Imagine the kid playing a 45rpm repeatedly. That was me. Usually the hook is the song's chorus (such is the case with the Kaiser Chiefs - keeps you coming back, doesn't [/quote]
Fischer-Z - So Long was a song that I must have played 20 times in a row when I first heard it.

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