4 chords to the bank – Swedish style

How is it that Sweden is the world’s largest exporter of music (Euro 650 million); after the UK and US?

While it may have begun with ABBA’s rendition of “Waterloo” in 1975, it is the creative energies of PoP, Cheiron and other music producers that have been the visible tip of a musical iceberg since 1992 that now accounts for 40 of the US Top 10 hits (for example; Ace of Base, Backstreet Boys, Lady Gaga, Britney Spears, Madonna, Katy Perry, etc.).

Danceable rhythms, heavy keyboards and funk mixed with computer and music skills all help to create bankable tunes. It is interesting to consider that just 4 chords are at the heart of most pop music hits – as the ‘Axis of Awesome’ demonstrate (see the YouTube clip).

There is something to the Swedish buisness beat that helps drive its contribution to, if not leadership of, numerous industry sectors. It is an example of a broader culture of successful innovation and commercialization. As the song goes: “Money, money, money…”