Great songs that test poorly

[Mike Stark]

Many of you know now that I'm in retirement and working for a LPFM, I like to come up with concepts that fly in the face of the "business" of radio. Call it a "hobby", "delusional" or whatever, but here's what I'm looking for that some of the data folks that follow this site might be able to help me with.

All genres of GREAT tunes that don't "test" well enough to make it on commercial radio. I'm guessing that "data" gets tossed. If there is a source that I could cull some tunes from, it would be much appreciated. I also realize that a lot of music that doesn't test well is because it's bad to start with, so I do understand that.

Mike

 

[kevtronics]

History is full of songs that flopped when first released, and then had a revival of interest later, due to being featured in a movie, TV show, commercial, etc., or these days, due to being in a social media post that goes viral.

A lot of what contributes to a song testing well is familiarity. A song the listeners have never heard before may test poorly, but if they've been exposed to it through one of the above means, it may suddenly test better.

 

[CTListener]

Other "great" songs simply don't register as "great" when tested with enough potential listeners to any commercial format. Blame popular taste, not radio. The songs were great to you, but not to enough people who listen to the commercially successful radio formats. I listen to commercial country radio a lot, and many times I've seen what I consider superior songs never catch on, while songs that make me wonder "How can anyone like this crap?" become contenders for "song of the summer."

 

[TheBigA]

The one I always think of when this comes up is You Light Up My Life by Debbie Boone. It was a 10 week #1 that consistently tests terribly. You can empty a room simply by playing that song. Achy Breaky Heart is another one. That song sold 9 million records and was CMA Single of the Year. Tests near the bottom of all country songs from the 90s.

 

[CTListener]

The one I always think of when this comes up is You Light Up My Life by Debbie Boone. It was a 10 week #1 that consistently tests terribly. You can empty a room simply by playing that song. Achy Breaky Heart is another one. That song sold 9 million records and was CMA Single of the Year. Tests near the bottom of all country songs from the 90s.

But at the time of their release, positive response was off the charts, right? Surely, radio wouldn't have played songs that so many people disliked in the first place unless there was lots of under-the-table money or coke involved.

 

[TheBigA]

But at the time of their release, positive response was off the charts, right? Surely, radio wouldn't have played songs that so many people disliked in the first place unless there was lots of under-the-table money or coke involved.

They just don't age well. Some cheeses age better than others. You hold on to wine for too long and it becomes vinegar.

 

[Mike Stark]

The one I always think of when this comes up is You Light Up My Life by Debbie Boone. It was a 10 week #1 that consistently tests terribly. You can empty a room simply by playing that song. Achy Breaky Heart is another one. That song sold 9 million records and was CMA Single of the Year. Tests near the bottom of all country songs from the 90s.

That's a whole other phenomenon, isn't it? I get your cheese and wine analogy for sure. It reminds me of a "bit" the Flo & Eddie (the Turtles) use to do in their live show about "Kung Fu Fighting". "If you didn't buy it, and I know I didn't buy it. Then who the F bought it?"

 

[davideduardo]

That's a whole other phenomenon, isn't it? I get your cheese and wine analogy for sure. It reminds me of a "bit" the Flo & Eddie (the Turtles) use to do in their live show about "Kung Fu Fighting". "If you didn't buy it, and I know I didn't buy it. Then who the F bought it?"

As others have posted, a variety of things can happen to a hit song as time passes:

• Some are topical, like that CB Radio hit from decades ago or “Ballad of the Green Berets” to name two. They are perishable and have no lasting value.
• Some just burn severely and even with a decade or two of rest the don’t recover. “You Light Up My Life” is one.
• Others are part of a fad music type, like disco where a few songs were good and last but most were just riding a wave like “Push Push in the Bush”.
• A few were hits in a dry period of music, did Okay because nothing was better for a few months. But the just did not make a big impression.
• Some were great for a group, like teens, who outgrew them. “The Monkees” and many Boy Bands come to mind.
• And the general topic of “people just got tired of them”.

All that is why we do music research.

 

[CTListener]

As others have posted, a variety of things can happen to a hit song as time passes:

• Some are topical, like that CB Radio hit from decades ago or “Ballad of the Green Berets” to name two. They are perishable and have no lasting value.
• Some just burn severely and even with a decade or two of rest the don’t recover. “You Light Up My Life” is one.
• Others are part of a fad music type, like disco where a few songs were good and last but most were just riding a wave like “Push Push in the Bush”.
• A few were hits in a dry period of music, did Okay because nothing was better for a few months. But the just did not make a big impression.
• Some were great for a group, like teens, who outgrew them. “The Monkees” and many Boy Bands come to mind.
• And the general topic of “people just got tired of them”.

All that is why we do music research.

Some of the Monkees' hits stuck around on oldies stations almost up to the point that most of them eliminated '60s titles entirely. "Daydream Believer" and "I'm a Believer" come to mind -- written by John Stewart ("Gold") and Neil Diamond, respectively, both critically acclaimed songwriters. That's what made the made-for-TV group more substantial than, say, the Backstreet Boys or Hanson, whose audience was always strictly teens. The Monkees put out songs that adults could enjoy as well, and their longevity on oldies radio proved it.

 

[KilowattKat]

Some Billboard #1's you don't hear much are:

Maniac - Michael Sembello
Starting Over - John Lennon
Stars on 45 - Stars on 45
Hey Mickey - Toni Basil
Ghostbusters - Ray Parker Jr
I Think We're Alone Now - Tiffany
Amadeus - Falco

This is why some songs are better left in the dustbin. Hearing any of these on Classic Hits today, would make me tune out.

 

[CTListener]

Some Billboard #1's you don't hear much are:

Maniac - Michael Sembello
Starting Over - John Lennon
Stars on 45 - Stars on 45
Hey Mickey - Toni Basil
Ghostbusters - Ray Parker Jr
I Think We're Alone Now - Tiffany
Amadeus - Falco

This is why some songs are better left in the dustbin. Hearing any of these on Classic Hits today, would make me tune out.

I find SiriusXM's '80s on 8 unlistenable because of songs like Hey Mickey and Ghostbusters, both of which seem to get multiple spins every day. Don't think I've ever heard either on a classic hits FM.

 

[Mediafrog+]

Some Billboard #1's you don't hear much are:

Maniac - Michael Sembello
Starting Over - John Lennon
Stars on 45 - Stars on 45
Hey Mickey - Toni Basil
Ghostbusters - Ray Parker Jr
I Think We're Alone Now - Tiffany
Amadeus - Falco

This is why some songs are better left in the dustbin. Hearing any of these on Classic Hits today, would make me tune out.

Maniac, Amadeus and I Think We're Alone Now still pop up on Classic Hits 95.7 The Spot here in Houston, though infrequently. Hey Mickey also would show up, but haven't heard them play it in a while.

I find SiriusXM's '80s on 8 unlistenable because of songs like Hey Mickey and Ghostbusters, both of which seem to get multiple spins every day. Don't think I've ever heard either on a classic hits FM.

The "decades" channels on SiriusXM all have deep playlists, which makes them appealing to a segment of listeners who enjoy variety and the "Oh Wow" factor. If you want the narrower same ol' same ol' stick to traditional radio.

 

[Mike Stark]

Some of the Monkees' hits stuck around on oldies stations almost up to the point that most of them eliminated '60s titles entirely. "Daydream Believer" and "I'm a Believer" come to mind -- written by John Stewart ("Gold") and Neil Diamond, respectively, both critically acclaimed songwriters. That's what made the made-for-TV group more substantial than, say, the Backstreet Boys or Hanson, whose audience was always strictly teens. The Monkees put out songs that adults could enjoy as well, and their longevity on oldies radio proved it.

Yeah, the Monkees have gained a lot more credibility as the years go on. Some of their cuts with the "wrecking crew" as back up are REALLY good records. In fact, I'm going to add some Monkees to this project. Good call!!!

 

[Mike Stark]

Some Billboard #1's you don't hear much are:

Maniac - Michael Sembello
Starting Over - John Lennon
Stars on 45 - Stars on 45
Hey Mickey - Toni Basil
Ghostbusters - Ray Parker Jr
I Think We're Alone Now - Tiffany
Amadeus - Falco

This is why some songs are better left in the dustbin. Hearing any of these on Classic Hits today, would make me tune out.

"Starting Over" unfortunately has the taint of Lennon's murder coming shortly after it's release.

 

[KilowattKat]

Some other #1 hit songs that are better left of off most radio playlists.

How Am I Supposed To Live Without You - Michael Bolton
I'll Be Your Everything - Tommy Page
Nothing's Going To Change My Love For You - Glen Medeiros
Ice Ice Baby - Vanilla Ice

 

[tbolt909]

"Starting Over" unfortunately has the taint of Lennon's murder coming shortly after it's release.

The song was a #3 hit before Lennon was killed. It went #1 after his death. There's no "taint" to any of Lennon's music because he was murdered. Most stations aren't playing songs from 45 years ago anymore or programming for older demos.

A lot of insipid crap went to #1. "Judy in Disguise" by John Fred & His Playboy Band is just one example of a cringe worthy tune that the masses liked. Meanwhile, an all time great track "God Only Knows" by the Beach Boys only reached #39. Go figure...😑

 

[EricStein]

Some other #1 hit songs that are better left of off most radio playlists.

How Am I Supposed To Live Without You - Michael Bolton
I'll Be Your Everything - Tommy Page
Nothing's Going To Change My Love For You - Glen Medeiros
Ice Ice Baby - Vanilla Ice

'80s songs by popular soap opera stars and/or were prominently featured in soaps like Jack Wagner's "All I Need" and Carl Anderson/Gloria Loring's duet "Friends & Lovers" both hit #1 or #2, but rarely get airplay today. Both songs have its share in cheese (the latter moreso), but those soaps could turn a mediocre song into gold back then.

1986 was kind of a bipolar year for music. You had Bon Jovi's "Slippery When Wet" album come out with songs that still get airplay these days, and other big hits like Steve Winwood's "Higher Love." Then, you have "Friends and Lovers" and another sappy duet, Patti LaBelle and Michael McDonald's "On My Own" soar to the top of the charts. You had duds like Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam's "All Cried Out" hit the Top 20. Some years just fare better than others in terms of consistency.

 

[Mike Stark]

The song was a #3 hit before Lennon was killed. It went #1 after his death. There's no "taint" to any of Lennon's music because he was murdered. Most stations aren't playing songs from 45 years ago anymore or programming for older demos.

A lot of insipid crap went to #1. "Judy in Disguise" by John Fred & His Playboy Band is just one example of a cringe worthy tune that the masses liked. Meanwhile, an all time great track "God Only Knows" by the Beach Boys only reached #39. Go figure...😑

Yeh, in my mind nothing by Lennon is really tainted, however, you did hit a reality I hadn't thought about. John Lennon does NOT get played anywhere on the radio. John Lennon will be going into OUR mix at KLBP. Thanks for the reminder.

 

[CTListener]

You had duds like Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam's "All Cried Out" hit the Top 20. Some years just fare better than others in terms of consistency.

"All Cried Out" was a real snoozer. I really liked "I Wonder If I Take You Home" and "Head to Toe," though. Lisa Lisa is pretty much forgotten in any radio format these days -- but then again, we're talking about nearly 40 years ago.

 

[tbolt909]

Yeh, in my mind nothing by Lennon is really tainted, however, you did hit a reality I hadn't thought about. John Lennon does NOT get played anywhere on the radio. John Lennon will be going into OUR mix at KLBP. Thanks for the reminder.

Lennon tracks like "Instant Karma", "Imagine", "#9 Dream", "Watching The Wheels", and many others were once staples of Rock Radio. There's no limit to what you can add to your playlist...