Early studies claimed that using machine learning techniques could capture some information from audio signals and lyrics that would explain[1] popularity.
However, a larger-scale evaluation[2] contradicts the claims of “Hit Song Science”, i.e. that the popularity of a music title can be learned effectively from known audio features.
Many other reasons, including the well-known cumulative advantage or preferential attachment effects deeply contradicts[3] the possibility of practical applications.
[5] A technology proposing to exploit Hit Song Science was introduced in 2003 by an artificial intelligence company out of Barcelona, Spain, called Polyphonic HMI.
Music Intelligence Solutions, Inc., is using Hit Song Science as a basis for several contests done in partnership with organizations such as AllHipHop.com, Urban Latino and American Songwriter magazine, and claims to have predicted the commercial success of Norah Jones's debut album, Come Away with Me, (which won a Grammy for Best Album) and Ben Novak's debut single, "Turn Your Car Around", which reached the number 12 spot in the UK Top 40 charts.