WCBS-FM A TO Z Countdown- MISSING SONGS

[xmradiopro]

Did anyone check Billboard Top Hits book to see how many songs WCBS-FM weren't playing during their Big A to Z Special ? I found tons of songs that WCBS-FM elected not to play. I'm guessing these songs weren't on their playlist as the songs did rate popular. I hope WCBS-FM post their A to Z online, I'll be happy then to post various songs not played during this special.

 

[wmgcbs]

I hope WCBS-FM post their A to Z online

According to Bill Lee, the station will NOT publish the list on wcbsfm.com.

 

[xmradiopro]

probably becuase they don't want people to be aware of songs they missed...there were so many songs i was almost going to make a list but decided not to mark my book up with check marks.

 

[kevinsealy]

Here are some songs that got regular (or at least) some airplay on CBS-FM that they didn't play in their A-Z Countdown.

1) "Daddy's Home" Shep & the Limelights
2) "Go Away Little Girl" Steve Lawrence
3) "Nightengale" Carole King


Thanks,
Kevin L. Sealy

 

[scooty430]

There seem to be about 2500 songs that were played.

- No, it's not every song in the world. (Listen to XM's annual special for that.) 2500 doesn't come close to all the charting songs. WLNG's regular playlist, in fact, is 10,000 songs. (Maybe WLNG should do this!)
- No, it's not every song WCBS has ever played.
- No, it was not REALLY every song in their "library" played end to end. (They probably shouldn't promote it as such. Just say it's an A to Z countdown of some songs from the past.)
- Yes, they skipped plenty of songs, even big popular songs.


But so what? It was a very well selected set of songs, with lots and lots of unexpected tunes, especially TONS of late 50s and early 60s songs that rarely see the light of day. The jocks had lots of fun with it and made it a great listen. I challenge anyone to name a better countdown on broadcast radio.

I'm sifting through VHS tapes I recorded at night and while at work, and will post a list of all the songs (or most) if anyone is interested. The list on the WCBS website is quite incomplete.

 

[oldies76]

Sound interesting Scooty (your list) , I've just been pasting the CBS-FM list and re-printing it.

How could they skip: Young Turks and Zip-a-de-do-dah? Only one Z was played (Zorba the Greek)

I guess it was overtime for them, (they were supposed to originally finish by the 4th..right?)

WLNG's A to Z would be astonishing, if not astronomical...KRTH's would last...um...2 or 3 days!

Overall..a very impressive countdown by CBS-FM! Should be an annual specialty!

 

[oldies76]

Scooty430 I challenge anyone to name a better countdown on broadcast radio.

KRTH's parade of hits weekend!! Ha HA HAAA! Yeah Right!

Maybe WLNG's, if they ever do one.

 

[KathyClningMyHseNYnkrs]

It was great as it was, and I'm not upset by songs not played. If the station is going to do this again, IMO, they'd want to keep it fresh by mixing up the list a bit.

Makes sense?

 

[oldies76]

It was great as it was, and I'm not upset by songs not played. If the station is going to do this again, IMO, they'd want to keep it fresh by mixing up the list a bit.

Makes sense?

Yeah, a few key songs were left out, but it's like 2%..nothing to complain about. Hopefully they'll do this next year too.
Now, if only other stations continue to do the same (I'll be checking the internet, as they say!)

 

[radio124]

Another missing song for those keeping track was "Only in America" by Jay and the Americans, a classic New York oldie.

 

[scooty430]

Let's talk about what was great that they DID include:

"My Way" by Elvis. Then the same song by Frank after someone called in to request it. (At least, I think so, because I was at a 4th of July BBQ trying to listen!)

Troglodytes! Bertha Butt!

Surf by the Beach Boys. I thought it was crazy K-Earth played this for their summer weekend. And here it is again. Didn't even chart.

Tie Me Kangaroo Down.

The Birds And The Bees. (Haven't heard that on the air since the 80s.)

This great summer set:

Summer - War (7/1976)
Summer Breeze - Seals and Crofts (6/1972)
Summer In The City - Lovin’ Spoonful (1/1966)
Summer Nights - John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John (5/1978)
Summer of 69 - Bryan Adams (5/1985)
Summer Rain - Johnny Rivers (14/1968)
Summer Song - Chad and Jeremy (/1964)
Summer Wind - Frank Sinatra (25/1966)
Summertime - Billy Stewart (10/1966)
Summertime Blues - Eddie Cochran (8/1958)
Summertime, Summertime - Jamies (25/1958)

And so much more. Totally addictive listening.

 

[oldies76]

This great summer set:

Summer - War (7/1976)
Summer Breeze - Seals and Crofts (6/1972)
Summer In The City - Lovin’ Spoonful (1/1966)
Summer Nights - John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John (5/1978)
Summer of 69 - Bryan Adams (5/1985)
Summer Rain - Johnny Rivers (14/1968)
Summer Song - Chad and Jeremy (/1964)
Summer Wind - Frank Sinatra (25/1966)
Summertime - Billy Stewart (10/1966)
Summertime Blues - Eddie Cochran (8/1958)
Summertime, Summertime - Jamies (25/1958)

And so much more. Totally addictive listening.

Great summer songs...just checking thru my printouts of the A to Z songs.."That's the Way I Like It" (#1 1975) by KC & Sunshine Band is not listed. How can that song get passed over? Also Ray Steven's novelty "The Streak" (#1 1974) was skipped too. I would think that all #1 songs would be included in an A to Z.

 

[12 In a Row]

Some folks just aren't happy until they have something/anything to complain about. :

 

[DToTheJ]

I'm thinking some songs were cut out of the music special for time purposes.

In Philadelphia, sister station WOGL was doing a "Top 1,000" countdown - but did not play all 1,000 songs. At points where the song would normally be played, the DJ would announce the song and its position in the playlist, but not play it and move on to the next song.

oldies76: Do you plan on posting the A-Z list online?

 

[oldies76]

Some folks just aren't happy until they have something/anything to complain about. :

No complaints here, just "missing song" observations, as the subject thread suggests.
As I have said several times..this countdown was nothing short of spectacular.
It was AWESOME and a treat for all the oldies fans out there

 

[oldies76]

I'm thinking some songs were cut out of the music special for time purposes.

In Philadelphia, sister station WOGL was doing a "Top 1,000" countdown - but did not play all 1,000 songs. At points where the song would normally be played, the DJ would announce the song and its position in the playlist, but not play it and move on to the next song.

oldies76: Do you plan on posting the A-Z list online?

Announce the songs and not play them? Why even do it then? For the list details, please check your "My Messages".

 

[xmradiopro]

I didn't mean to make it sound like the A to Z was a bad thing...I thought it was great that WCBS-FM got to play hundreds of songs they usually don't play...one of my favorites was Seasons in the Sun- Terry Jacks...except for specials and countdowns I don't believe this song has been played since 1974.

 

[lalumia]

as mentioned elsewhere, "My Baby Must Be A Magician" by The Marvelettes, which was a big WABC AM record in 1966(67?)

 

[Top40ClassicsDJ]

Here is another Z song WCBS forgot-Zanzibar from Billy Joel's 1978 52nd Street Peace Dr Johnny P LoveTrain

 

[neo11]

It might be possible that CBS-FM purposely kept some of these well-known songs off of the countdown, with plans to add them next time they do it (Independence Day weekend '09?), in place of some other songs. Additionally, I wouldn't be surprised if many of the lesser-played songs they aired during this year's countdown are replaced with a different set of equally lesser-played songs next time. This would help ensure that the list remains "fresh" instead of static from year to year. I'd say that would be a wise move on their part, if that is the case.