There are a billion different decisions that go into making a hit song. A songwriter has to settle on a tempo, key, chord changes, and lyrics. The band has to manage the small interactions between the instruments that give the song its energy, swing, and dynamics. One false move could throw an otherwise catchy tune into something that fails to move anyone.

Given the number of correct decisions a songwriter or producer has to make for a song to work, it’s a wonder that most aren’t too paralyzed to write a note. 

Singer-songwriter Rupert Holmes had a massive hit in 1979 with “Escape (The Piña Colada Song),” which was number one on the Billboard Hot 100 for three weeks. It’s maintained its popularity over the decades, having been featured in countless films and TV shows, including Guardians of the Galaxy, Shrek, and Better Call Saul. 

The lyric change that made ‘The Piña Colada Song’ a hit

The song is best known for its joyous........

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