Music Industry

The reasoning behind some of the greatest songs in history never made it to the top spot on the charts. Just imagine, hearing the same songs everywhere you go - at a bar, a mall, a grocery store, or the radio, and thinking that there is no way it didn’t hit the number one spot on the charts. The reality is that some of the songs that marked our middle school, high school, or college experiences didn’t even come close to that coveted spot.

Here’s a secret. The songs you fall in love with, lyrically, emotionally, physically, are not always written by your favorite singers. More often than not, they are written by a songwriter or lyricist. Someone who specializes in writing. They may also be a singer, performer, or artist. Sometimes they are not. Sometimes they work behind the scenes. Sometimes they choose to stay private, preferring for the world to hear their words, but not their voice.

A cover or rendition being more popular than the original track is actually more common than we would think. A few of the biggest songs that we hear often, some even classics, are not sung by the original singer. This is the case for songs such as “Year 3000” by the Jonas Brothers, which was originally sung by the British band Busted, as well as “Respect” by Aretha Franklin was originally performed by Otis Redding.

There is a different kind of landscape everyone feels within the music industry in January. Tours have come to a close, and most artists prefer spring, summer, or even fall to plan their runs. Winter can be treacherous. Harsh weather, delayed flights, snowstorms, blizzards, extreme temperatures, and the weight of the holiday season all make January a difficult time to stay on the road.

Nickelodeon features a diverse range of shows, including cartoons and teen sitcom series. Their series range from wacky comedy-style shows to more arts and music-focused genres while maintaining the comedic aspect. Many great songs were derived from these shows. Although most were not intended to be more than a catchy intro song, a few managed to engrave themselves into pop culture and quiet longevity.

There’s a particular kind of electricity that only a Gov Ball moment can generate. Today, January 5, 2026, that anticipation found its release as Governors Ball unveiled its lineup, and with it, the atmosphere of festival season officially shifted. This wasn’t just a list of names appearing on a screen; it was a collective intake of breath, a reminder of how live music continues to bring people together.

There are artists you enjoy listening to, and then there are artists you would rearrange your life to see live. The ones who command a room without trying and make thousands of people feel locked into the same moment at the same time. Live music has a way of sharpening memory. Certain shows become timestamps, tied forever to who you were when you heard them.

The name Justin Tranter holds weight within the music industry due to their involvement in writing some of the biggest hits for over a decade now. Tranter is not only a successful songwriter but also an educator and mentor to future generations of writers. They share knowledge about the music industry consistently, and when asked about their songwriting process, they seem glad to share what details they can.

There’s a moment that happens in almost every photo pit. The lights drop, the crowd surges forward, cameras rise in unison, and for a brief stretch of time, a handful of strangers are asked to share the same few feet of space while capturing something fleeting. You learn very quickly that talent alone won’t carry you here. Awareness will. Most of the time, that window is small. Three songs, fifteen minutes, sometimes even less.

What is popular today in 2025 wasn’t always favored in the 80s. In fact, what is considered popular today is something that was created as a counter to mainstream music back then. That’s right, alternative music has in fact made its way into the everyday listening experience. Alternative music is not just an umbrella term for eccentric genres, but it is also a form of rebellion that was expressed through music in the beginning of its conception.

Not only is Ryan Tedder the lead singer of one of the most internationally well-known bands out there, but he is a brilliant songwriter too. The massive hits he’s written range from Beyonce’s “Halo”, Leona Lewis’ “Bleeding Love," and Adele’s “Rumour Has It”. His band OneRepublic is widely known for songs such as “Apologize”, “Counting Stars," and “Secrets," all of which were written by Ryan Tedder himself.

There is no music industry without songwriters. They are the emotional engineers behind the biggest hits, the people who take tangled feelings and turn them into midnight anthems shouted from car windows. Songwriters shape artists. They influence genres. They deserve every ounce of recognition and compensation they get.