Pushing The Envelope

[EZway2go]

With all the discussions about categorizing this music and giving it a label, this one threw me for a loop yesterday. I was listening to WHAT in Philadelphia which is described as an Adult Standards station in the ratings. I could not believe my ears when I heard "Living In America" by James Brown. (Their liner is "The Greatest Music Of All Tme.")

Can anyone top that? What's the most outrageous thing you've ever heard on a station classified as Soft AC/EZ Listening/Adult Standards?

 

[Bongwater]

"Living In America" James Brown is our national anthem as far as I'm concerned. I played it once PROUDLY every July 4. I used to say something like (BIG PATRIOTIC MUSIC IN THE BACKGROUND) "Ladies and gentlemen, on this celebratory day, we here at (INSERT CALL LETTERS/STATION MONIKER HERE) now pause for our national anthem" before launching into it

Every Fourth of July at every rock station I ever worked at, i played it with only minimal criticism. (The PDs understood the hipster appeal....) Maybe not so much for a mellow station, but these were generally upbeat stations

Now on a station with call letters like WHAT, well, I would think that would come naturally.

And it IS a great song....just have fun with it on the right day......

 

[vchimpanzee]

I have a whole list somewhere. I once accused a Stardust affiliate which went more contemporary when they were local of hiring a chimpanzee (yes, that does mean what you think it does).

In 1997, alongside Tony Bennett, Frank Sinatra, Della reese and Kay Starr:

The Thompson Twins (the DJ mentioned them but didn't say which song)
"Just Like Jesse James" by Cher in a smaple of the music played
"Everything I Do, I Do It for You" by Bryan Adams (they were OBSESSED with this one)
"Missing You" by John Waite
"One More Try" by George Michael
"Nightshift" by The Commodores
"FM" by Steely Dan
"You're In Love" by Wilson Phillips (okay, it wasn't "Hold On" but it still sounded weird)

Taking a survey for Timeless, they played me songs which were supposedly in their library to ask my opinion.

"She Works Hard for the Money" by Donna Summer, "Staying Alive" and "Night Fever" were in it.

My Dial Global afiliate has played "Physical" by Olivia Newton-John, "Stuck in the Middle" by Stelers Wheel and "Material Girl" by Madonna. Also "I Got You" by James Brown. But when the owner's son has filled in as a DJ on the morning shift, "Caught Up in You" by .38 Special, "China Grove" by The Doobies, "Take It On the Run" by REO Speedwagon and "Don't Stop Believin'" by Journey. He would play these on a local afternoon show.

Now the morning show also has Pat Boone, Bert Kaempfert and the usual artists you would expect. When the owner is there selecting the records. Most of the ones I hear are from the all-request segment.

The Stardust station I mentioned rehired that chimp and played "I Want to Know What Love Is" by Foreigner, "Hard Habit to Break" by Chicago, and "I'm a Believer" by The Monkees. Oh, sure, Glenn Miller was back, but still ...

By the time they fired the chimp again Joe Lacina was retired. But soon after that the chimp went to work for Unforgettable Favorites. ""Dancing Machine" by the Jackson 5, "Go Your Own Way" and "You Make Lovin' Fun" by Fleetwood Mac, "Faithfully" by Journey ...

After the local oldies station went rhythmic, "Gimme Some Lovin'" and "Mustang Sally" showed up on the Stardust station's morning show. So did 'Physical" and "Ghostbusters". Actually, they had so many oldies that when the station's satellite format went from Timeless to J.J. McKay, who could tell a difference?

 

[vchimpanzee]

More from 1997: Michael Bolton's "Time, Love and Tenderness". That was the first song I heard that told me something was wrong. It had these dance remix sound effects. Also Celine Dion's "If You Asked Me To", though the way Celine Dion is played on standards radio these days, I guess it wouldn't be surprising.

When they rehired the chimp, Michael bolton was on a lot, but not that song. I'm pleased to say I haven't heard anything from him in years, not even by chance. Also from the second chimp period, "Let's Wait Awhile" by Janet Jackson and "Unbreak My Heart" by Toni Braxton. These are not outrageous but just srtange.

 

[RBW]

Has anyone here ever checked out albanymagic.com? I think you'd agree it's the closest you'll come at hearing a combination of Dial Global and MOYL (done locally) without any strange variations! ;D

 

[cd637299]

This is an interesting thread, and I am sure I can think of some songs that just don't quite "make it" for me as a standards-station tune.

One I seem to hear on a lotta Soft AC/Standards stations is "Take My Breath Away" by Berlin. If it was played on *one* station, I'd understand (maybe).....but it seems to be a staple now. Too loud and too intense IMO.

Interesting to hear other ones listed here.

BTW does anyone own the Whitburn book "Adult Contemporary 1961-1993"? It shows (even in the foreword) how things have changed.

cd

 

[RBW]

One I seem to hear on a lotta Soft AC/Standards stations is "Take My Breath Away" by Berlin. If it was played on *one* station, I'd understand (maybe).....but it seems to be a staple now. Too loud and too intense IMO.

Intense wouldn't be my description of that song. I'd probably change the channel though! It's one of those songs I put in the "overplayed" catagory. I can't say I;ve heard it on a Dial Global (ABM) station, but it's obviously a light rock, AC staple. Was it ever nominated for a Grammy or an Oscar?

 

[passtheword]

One I seem to hear on a lotta Soft AC/Standards stations is "Take My Breath Away" by Berlin. If it was played on *one* station, I'd understand (maybe).....but it seems to be a staple now. Too loud and too intense IMO.

Intense wouldn't be my description of that song. I'd probably change the channel though! It's one of those songs I put in the "overplayed" catagory. I can't say I;ve heard it on a Dial Global (ABM) station, but it's obviously a light rock, AC staple. Was it ever nominated for a Grammy or an Oscar?

I don't think "Take My Breath Away" on a soft AC is too way off base. I remember our soft AC back in the mid and late 80's playing that particular song (many other soft AC's were offering it as well). Back then, soft AC was even "softer" than it is today. If soft AC stations could get away with it back then, surely it would not be too out of place today. Now...for adult standards...I'd say that song would be a bit extreme.

 

[EZway2go]

You know, I may have heard "Take My Breath Away" on this format and probably thought nothing of it. That might be a good sign because it means it blends in well. (By the way, to answer a previous question, I think it actually won an Oscar - from Top Gun). No doubt about it, the '80s are making inroads here... a natural progression, which is OK if they don't abandon the classic '50s & '60s pop vocals and instrumentals. After hearing "Foolish Heart" and "Kokomo" on Dial Global affiliates, "Take My Breath Away" seems to be in the same vein.

I definitely agree with the Michael Bolton comment. You don't want jarring interruptions with this format, and I find his voice too abrasive. That goes for his hits from the '90s... I understand he's done some standards, which I have not heard. I would probably put Celine Dion and others of her ilk in this same category. As noted by someone, their songs aren't really that outrageous, but some of the notes they hit are nerve-penetrating.

A lot of us don't like this divergence, but let's face it, this format is becoming the only home for songs such as these. The AC format of 15 years ago sounds nothing like it does today.

[Will have to give albanymagic a try - a combination of Dial Global & MOYL sounds like a winner]

 

[vchimpanzee]

I definitely wouldn't want to hear "Take My Breath Away". The instrumentals on a lot of songs are just too jarring to be acceptable. I mentioned the Michael Bolton song and the reason I called it a dance remix was sysnthesized percussion moving faster than a human could. It lasted only a short time but was VERY disconcerting.

Timeless Favorites played "Meet Me Halfway" by Kenny Loggins, which made me want to throw the radio at someone.

Over the weekend I remembered "Harden My Heart" by Quarterflash. That was either on Memories or on the local affiliate, but I don't know which, since I don't know whether they were local at the time. The same thing happened with "Don't Stop Believin'".

 

[cd637299]

I definitely wouldn't want to hear "Take My Breath Away". The instrumentals on a lot of songs are just too jarring to be acceptable. I mentioned the Michael Bolton song and the reason I called it a dance remix was sysnthesized percussion moving faster than a human could. It lasted only a short time but was VERY disconcerting.

Timeless Favorites played "Meet Me Halfway" by Kenny Loggins, which made me want to throw the radio at someone.

Over the weekend I remembered "Harden My Heart" by Quarterflash. That was either on Memories or on the local affiliate, but I don't know which, since I don't know whether they were local at the time. The same thing happened with "Don't Stop Believin'".

"Don't Stop Believin' "? What's wrong with that Olivia Newton-John song? <should I be ducking tomatoes?>

BTW in this same vein, what is it with so many soft AC/standards stations playing "Kokomo"?

cd

 

[EZway2go]

I would imagine it was the Journey song "Don't Stop Believing" referenced above.

As for "Kokomo," it's probably one of the new standards of the format. I also hear it everywhere. It's one of those songs like "Margaritaville" with a certain hip factor equally at home on a classic rock station, yet without the annoyance factor. Hearing them probably won't make you reach for the dial the way a Michael Bolton song might. After all, it's the Beach Boys and Jimmy Buffett... both have huge followings and appeal to all ages. Perhaps they typify a new definition of timeless music.

 

[RBW]

As for "Kokomo," it's probably one of the new standards of the format. I also hear it everywhere. It's one of those songs like "Margaritaville" with a certain hip factor equally at home on a classic rock station, yet without the annoyance factor. Hearing them probably won't make you reach for the dial the way a Michael Bolton song might. After all, it's the Beach Boys and Jimmy Buffett... both have huge followings and appeal to all ages. Perhaps they typify a new definition of timeless music.

I was never an enormous Beach Boys fan... although Pet Sounds was my favorite album, and I had another one as well. Regarding "Kokomo" though, I don't like it in the least. Never have. When it comes on, I either change the station, or turn the radio down. So to me, it has the same annoyance factor as Michael Bolton, for whom I also dislike. But that's just me :-\

 

[Seltzer]

Kind of explains why Timeless Favorites no longer exists. They lost their focus....

I'll can accept Kokomo and Margaritaville

Any disco and I mean ANY disco.....absolutely NOT

FM by Steely Dan----NO

Harden my Heart-----a big NO

Meet Me Halfway-----why play a secondary Kenny Loggins song....Danny's Song-----Yes

Don't Stop Believin.....NO WAY

Michael Bolton & Celine Dion--selective songs yes

Take My Breath Away----ok

 

[vchimpanzee]

As for "Kokomo," it's probably one of the new standards of the format. I also hear it everywhere. It's one of those songs like "Margaritaville" with a certain hip factor equally at home on a classic rock station, yet without the annoyance factor. Hearing them probably won't make you reach for the dial the way a Michael Bolton song might. After all, it's the Beach Boys and Jimmy Buffett... both have huge followings and appeal to all ages. Perhaps they typify a new definition of timeless music.

I was never an enormous Beach Boys fan... although Pet Sounds was my favorite album, and I had another one as well. Regarding "Kokomo" though, I don't like it in the least. Never have. When it comes on, I either change the station, or turn the radio down. So to me, it has the same annoyance factor as Michael Bolton, for whom I also dislike. But that's just me :-\

Timeless Favorites played "Good Vibrations". I don't like any of the Beach Boys' faster music, but I have to admit somehow they managed to make that one not sound annoying. Dial Global doesn't seem to do anything but "Kokomo", "In My Room" or "Little Surfer Girl". The last two I can stand. "Kokomo" could sound good without the pounding drums. Actually, in their last days, Timeless Favoirtes somehow made that one sound like it didn't have pounding drums, and it was actually quite listenable.

 

[vchimpanzee]

What's wrong with that Olivia Newton-John song? <should I be ducking tomatoes?>

What Olivia Newton-John song is that?

That reminds me. One of the songs I hated on Timeless Favorites was "Make a Move on Me". That one needs to be removed by men in special suits and buried deep where it can never again harm anyone.

About Quarterflash--I just remembered the station may not have been a Memories affiliate. Around sunset sometimes I pick up other stations on the same frequency. That may have happened in that case.

I was just reading about "Babe" by Styx. That one WAS on Memories.

And getting back to what my Dial Global station plays: I've mentioned "I Got You", "Stuck in the Middle" and "Material Girl" on the morning show, which is pretty much the same as what Dial Global plays for the most part. But while waiting for a baseball game to start, they did play "Y.M.C.A."

 

[cd637299]

VC I was referring to Olivia's "Don't Stop Believin' ", now pretty much forgotten, in favor of the Journey tune w/ same title....hence my sarcasm

cd

 

[vchimpanzee]

VC I was referring to Olivia's "Don't Stop Believin' ", now pretty much forgotten, in favor of the Journey tune w/ same title....hence my sarcasm

cd

Well, my Dial Global station, when it was a Memories station, played Journey's song. Whether the station was local at the time I don't know. I didn't hear any DJs.

 

[Prais]

No dj's mean it's local. EVERY satellite format has djs.

 

[cd637299]

I think what he meant was, they were not running the sat at the time he heard DSB; maybe someone at the station threw that on to fill time.

Back in the Drake-Chenault era, many stations that ran "Hitparade" had the songs supplied to them with Billy Moore's voiceover; but sometimes there would be a song that had nothing----made me think that it was something that was lying around at the station, to play to fill time.

(I am sure that the other D-C formats had that issue too.)

cd