This article was accepted into the corpus but its outbound wikilinks were never NER-processed — typical at the deepest BFS hop or when the run's entity cap was reached. No expansion funnel to show.
| Single (music) | |
|---|---|
| Name | Single (music) |
| Type | Single |
Single (music) A single is a type of music release usually featuring one main song intended for radio play, sales, or streaming promotion for an album or an artist's catalog. Singles have been distributed in physical formats such as 7-inch vinyl record, 12-inch vinyl record, and compact disc single, as well as digital formats on platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube Music. Artists, managers, and record labels use singles to build momentum for tours, awards campaigns, and chart placement on lists such as the Billboard Hot 100 and the UK Singles Chart.
A single typically highlights one lead track and may include B-side tracks, remixes, or instrumental versions released by a record label such as Columbia Records, Sony Music Entertainment, Warner Music Group, or Universal Music Group. Formats historically include 7-inch single for RPM play, 12-inch single favored by DJ culture in venues like Studio 54, and the CD single promoted by labels during the era of MTV. Digital singles are released via aggregators and platforms including iTunes Store, Bandcamp, SoundCloud, and streaming services used by artists like Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, Drake, and Adele. Promotional singles are distributed to radio stations and streaming service playlists, while lead singles precede studio albums from acts such as The Beatles, Michael Jackson, Madonna, and Kanye West.
The commercial single emerged in the early 20th century with 78 rpm records issued by companies like Victor Talking Machine Company and Columbia Records. The 1950s rock and roll era propelled the 45 rpm single through artists such as Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry, and Little Richard, paralleled by independent labels like Sun Records and Atlantic Records. The 1960s and 1970s saw singles drive popularity for bands including The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and Led Zeppelin while charts such as the Billboard Hot 100 and the UK Singles Chart codified hit status. The rise of disco, hip hop, and dance music in venues like Paradise Garage and labels such as Def Jam Recordings popularized 12-inch singles and remixes by producers including Shep Pettibone and Frankie Knuckles. The CD single and maxi single emerged in the 1980s and 1990s amid promotion on MTV, with artists like Madonna and Nirvana leveraging music video formats. The 2000s digital revolution, driven by iTunes and later streaming platforms like Spotify and YouTube, transformed singles into instant global releases used by contemporary artists such as Rihanna, Justin Bieber, and Billie Eilish.
Single production involves songwriting, arranging, recording, mixing, and mastering often overseen by producers and studios such as Abbey Road Studios, Electric Lady Studios, and producers like Phil Spector, Quincy Jones, Max Martin, and Rick Rubin. Promotional strategies include music videos premiered on platforms like MTV and YouTube, radio servicing to conglomerates such as iHeartMedia and BBC Radio 1, and playlist pitching to editorial teams at Spotify and Apple Music. Marketing campaigns often coordinate with publicity from media outlets like Rolling Stone, Billboard, and NME, using social media channels run by artists including Kanye West, Beyoncé, and Ariana Grande to engage fans. Labels may commission remixes by DJs and producers such as Tiesto, Calvin Harris, and Diplo to extend club play and crossover appeal in markets tracked by organizations like the Recording Industry Association of America and the British Phonographic Industry.
Singles are distributed physically via retail chains like Tower Records and HMV historically, and digitally via stores and streaming platforms such as iTunes Store, Spotify, Amazon Music, and YouTube Music. Chart performance is measured by aggregators and chart compilers like Billboard, the Official Charts Company, and ARIA Charts using metrics from sales, radio airplay, and streams. Historic sales milestones include records by The Beatles, Elton John, Michael Jackson, and modern streaming records set by artists like Drake and Ed Sheeran. Certifications from RIAA and BPI mark thresholds of commercial success, and chart rules have evolved to incorporate downloads, streams, and video plays as seen in policy changes by Billboard and the Official Charts Company.
Singles have shaped popular culture through breakthrough hits and defining moments in careers of artists such as Elvis Presley, The Beatles, Michael Jackson, Madonna, Prince, Beyoncé, and Taylor Swift. They influence awards like the Grammy Awards and industry recognition at events such as the MTV Video Music Awards. Singles drive concert ticket sales for tours promoted by promoters like Live Nation and AEG Presents and impact music publishing revenue collected by organizations such as ASCAP and BMI. Iconic singles have also intersected with film and television placements in James Bond themes, soundtracks like Saturday Night Fever, and advertising campaigns involving brands like Nike and Apple.
Variants and related releases include B-sides popularized by labels such as Capitol Records, double A-sides exemplified by The Beatles's releases, promotional singles distributed to outlets like BBC Radio 1, lead singles that precede albums from artists like Adele, buzz singles used by acts such as Katy Perry, EPs released by labels including Matador Records, maxi singles common in dance music, remix singles commissioned by DJs like David Guetta, and split singles issued by indie labels such as Sub Pop and Merge Records. Other formats include digital singles curated for playlists by Spotify and physical collector releases on Record Store Day issued by retailers like Rough Trade.
Category:Music publishing