Ta-Ra-Ra-Boom-De-Ay: The Dodgy Business of Popular Music by Simon Napier-Bell Summary
Overview of Ta-Ra-Ra-Boom-De-Ay: The Dodgy Business of Popular Music
From 1713's first copyright laws to today's streaming wars, legendary manager Simon Napier-Bell exposes music's shadiest dealings. Ever wonder how technological revolutions repeatedly transformed an industry built on exploitation? This insider's account reveals why the tune remains the same - the money always wins.
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Key takeaways
When a Shoeshine Revealed an Empire
Picture a cramped office where power plays out through humiliation. Mike Stewart, president of United Artists Music, forces his sidekick Murray Deutch to get an unnecessary shoeshine-not because his shoes need it, but because he can. This wasn't cruelty; it was Tuesday in the music business. The year was 1966, and this jelly-like executive wanted young manager Simon Napier-Bell to join his stable of songwriters trapped in the Brill Building's tiny rooms, churning out hits like factory workers. Napier-Bell walked away, but the scene haunted him. Managing The Yardbirds meant navigating an industry he didn't understand-an industry built on a foundation most people never question: someone can own a song. Not the recording, not the performance, but the song itself. This simple legal principle, established in 1710 when Britain's Statute of Anne declared that written works could be owned as property, created an entire ecosystem of hustlers, visionaries, and artists. What began as a fourteen-year monopoly on sheet music evolved into a global business that would shape culture, exploit talent, and occasionally produce magic.
The Alchemy of Turning Melodies Into Money
The Machine That Captured Sound
The Brothers Who Built an Empire on Other People's Talent
When Personality Became the Product
The Great Shakedown Begins
The Empire Strikes Back
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"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
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From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
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