Professor Mauskapf on pop music

"For most songs, once you are into the Hot 100, once you are into that popular realm, you want to distinguish yourself as much as possible," Professor Mauskapf says.[...]"Our analysis suggests that, yes, you can certainly listen to what's around you and try to match it and that will certainly serve you well, but there is an element of randomness and an element of art — for lack of a better word — that means you can't just scientifically determine what is going to become a hit."